Ross School Cell Phone & Smart Device Policy

PURPOSE

At Ross School, we are committed to cultivating a learning environment that supports inquiry, meaningful relationships, and the development of the whole child. In alignment with our mission to foster engaged global citizens who think critically, act ethically, and contribute purposefully to the world, we are implementing a bell-to-bell smart device ban during the academic day.

This policy is rooted in our belief that presence, mindfulness, and meaningful connection are essential to a holistic education. By limiting digital distractions, we create space for students to fully engage with their learning, with one another, and with the natural beauty of our campus. Whether walking the Path, sharing a meal in the Café, or engaging in conversation between classes, we encourage students to be present—to notice, listen, and connect.

A smart device-free environment supports a deeper sense of community and reflects on our commitment to wellness. By creating intentional spaces for learning and connection, we support student well-being, academic focus, and a respectful, inclusive school culture.

POLICY SUMMARY

“Bell to Bell” Device-Free: Students may not possess or use cell phones or smart devices during the academic day.

Drop-Off Times:

> 7:45–8:20 am: Students must power off and drop devices in their grade level assigned dropboxes, and check their name on their grade list. Students arriving after 8:00 am will be recorded as late for school and receive a late pass to their first class. From 8:20 am, the dropboxes are locked and items are inaccessible until the scheduled pick-up time.

> After 8:20 am: Students report to the Upper School Office to drop off devices there and to receive a late pass. Pick up will also be in the Upper School Office for these devices at the end of the day.

> Exceptions: Students who have a pre-approved early dismissal and Tennis Center athletes will drop off and pick up their devices in the Upper School Office. Tennis Center athletes will subsequently drop off devices in the Tennis Center dropbox upon arrival.

Pick-Up Times

> 3:05–3:30 pm: Devices are available for supervised retrieval at the drop-off locations.

Parent Communication

> To contact a student: Call the Upper School Office at 631-907-5500.

> For students to contact home: Ask a teacher or visit the Upper School Office to use a designated school phone.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

Students are solely responsible for their devices. The school is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged items—including those that are confiscated.

DEVICE DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

Dropbox 1

Building 1 (High School)

Grades 9–10

Dropbox 2

Building 2 (Media)

Grades 6–8 — collected by grade-level teachers

Dropbox 3

Building 5 (CWB)

Grades 11–12

Dropbox 4

Tennis Center

All students entering the Tennis Center


PROCEDURES

Morning Drop-Off

Grades 9–12 (Buildings 1 & 5)

> Drop devices between 7:45–8:20 am in assigned dropboxes.

> Sign in at dropbox location. Staff will issue a late pass if arriving after 8:00 am.

> After 8:20 am, report to the Upper School Office for drop-off and a late pass.

Grades 6–8:

> Hand devices directly to grade-level teachers.

> Students arriving after 8:20 am must go to the Upper School Office to check in for attendance and leave their devices where they can be picked up at the end of the day.

Afternoon Pick-Up

> Pick-up devices from 3:05–3:30 pm at original dropbox locations (Buildings 1, 2 & 5).

> Devices not picked up by 3:30 pm will be held until the next academic day.

Exceptions

> Late arrivals / early dismissals / Tennis Center students: Drop-off and pick-up at the Upper School Office.

> Tennis Center: May also drop off at the Tennis Center in the morning; pick-up from the Tennis Center at the discretion of staff after 3:00 pm.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • This policy will support our core objectives of social development and academic engagement. This includes focused attention in classes, use of their break times for good purposes such as individual and group study, in-person time with faculty and staff, participation in activities, and in-person socialization with peers. The impact on students over the long term should be seen in their relationships, in their ability to focus, in their mental health, and in their learning.

  • No, the dropboxes are locked and unsupervised before 7:45 am.

  • Notify the school in advance. In such cases, device drop-off and pick-up occur at the Upper School Office.

  • The student will drop off their device in the Upper School Office and the phones will be distributed prior to leaving for the athletic event by an administrator or coach.

  • No. All devices must be surrendered each day. If devices are not surrendered upon arrival on campus, this will be considered a violation of the honest student conduct policy and treated as an infraction.

  • It will be kept in the dropbox until the next academic day.

  • No, students may only handle their own devices.

  • No, only students are allowed to drop off and pick up their own devices.

  • Grade 6 students can have tablets during academic instruction.

    Grades 7 and 8 can have laptops during academic instruction.

    Grades 9 through 12 can use laptops.

  • All personal internet-enabled devices, besides the ones listed above, including smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smart glasses, and other devices that can access the internet

    If students bring such devices to school, students must drop them in the designated areas with their smartphones for storage.

  • Faculty and staff will lead this effort and will handle their own device usage within the spirit of the policy and their professional duties.

  • It is important to recognize that this policy will not result in 100% elimination of screens, technology, or communication tools from students' days, and that is not our aim. The focus is on removing smart devices from the academic day because research shows that smart devices at school have a negative impact on students' attention and mental health. Students will still have access to the internet on laptops during the school day in order to support their learning through academic platforms such as Google and Blackbaud. Ross maintains internet usage controls through its operating systems to restrict certain webpages and block searches on a number of keywords.

  • Yes, because headphones are normally paired with smart devices, headphone usage will be limited. Students enrolled in independent studies and courses where headphones are necessary will receive administrative approval.

  • School safety professionals agree that during emergency situations, communications with parents must be restricted to outgoing messages from the school to families. Ross School will utilize our emergency communication system with families in the case of any emergency.

  • Support the policy by:

    > Avoiding calls/texts during the school day 

    > Calling the school at 631-907-5500 if communication with your student is required

    > Talking with your student about the policy and your support for this initiative

    > Supporting healthy cell phone agreements at home, such as limits during dinner, study hours, bedtime, etc.

DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES

Grades 6–12 Cell Phone & Smart Device Infraction Policy

  1. First Offense
    > Device(s) confiscated until the end of day. Pick up at the High School Office after the last bell.
    > Parent/guardian contacted.

  2. Second Offense
    > Device(s) confiscated until the end of day.

> Parent/guardian contacted.
> Student serves detention from 3:05–3:45 pm, and the device(s) is/are returned afterwards.

  1. Third Offense
    > Device(s) confiscated until the end of day.
    > Mandatory meeting with the Head of Upper School and Director of Student Life.
    > Further disciplinary consequences may be assigned.

REQUESTING EXEMPTIONS

Please refer to Appendix A of the Upper School Parent & Student Handbook: Making an Accommodation Request for information about requesting an exemption to the policy.