New cell phone policy begins for certain Fall River Public Schools

A new cell phone policy at some Fall River schools began Wednesday.

In August, a program passed unanimously by the School Committee having no cell phone use for students at some Fall River Public Schools with exceptions.

As students would come through the door in the morning, they would place their cell phone, watches, and ear buds in a magnetic Yondr bag which will unlock at the end of school. There would be medical pouches for students who need to access their phone for medical reasons.

Parents who want to get in contact with their children can call the main office of the school. Parents Square can also be used.

The policy is taking effect at Durfee, Talbot, Morton, and Kuss, and grades six through eight at the Henry Lord and John Doran schools.

Kuss Middle School already had a policy where all electronic devices must be off and placed in the student’s locker for the duration of the school day with the exception of their VILS
school-issued Chromebook.

Parents reported that there were long lines outside of Durfee this morning as the policy was being implemented.

Since the announcement, an online petition had been created that is approaching 1,600 electronic signatures, many of which are students in the Fall River Public School system.

The most popular criticisms from those against the policy are safety/emergency concerns and the free flow of communication between parents and student will come to a halt.

Those in favor, point to less distraction for students with less bullying due to students not being able to coordinate with their phones. Those of the older generation call attention to their being no cell phones when they went to school, and they survived.