Strengthening Student Focus & Well-Being - UPDATED CELL PHONE POLICY

2025-26 School Year

June 27, 2025

In May, we shared that we were evaluating the adoption of an Off and Away Throughout the School Day student cell phone policy as a way to better support our students’ overall experience. With much consideration and thoughtful input from faculty, staff, the Mothers’ Club, Dads’ Club, Board of Trustees, and students themselves - we are moving forward with the implementation of this policy for the 2025-2026 school year. 

At Mercy High School, we prioritize cultivating a school culture that values presence, connection, and meaningful learning. Guided by our Catholic identity and the Mercy Core Values, the revised student cell phone policy is intended to minimize distractions and enhance the overall school experience. 

While we recognize that this change may be met with resistance by some, our commitment as educators is to uphold the values and mission of Mercy. We firmly believe that limiting cell phone use during the school day is in the best interest of our students and will enhance academic focus, promote well-being, and strengthen our Mercy sisterhood. Please revisit the May communication to better understand further reasoning and advantages to making this change. We invite you to also review research on the positive effects of limiting student cell phone use during the school day.

Off and Away Throughout the School Day Policy

With the revised policy, students are required to keep their cell phones turned off and stored in their backpacks throughout the school day (8:00 AM - 2:40 PM) across the entire campus. This includes class time, unscheduled hours, permanent off-hours, hallways, and all common areas such as the Cafeteria, McAuley Academic Center, and Gym/Auditorium Lobby. 

Smartwatches may still be worn for health monitoring, but notifications and sounds must be off, and they may not be used for texting or calling during the school day.

FAQs in regards to the updated policy to date can be found here.

Before the start of this school year, students and parents will be required to verify within FinalForms that they have read, understand and will adhere to the Off and Away Throughout the School Day cell phone policy.

Safety & Community

We know that student safety is a top priority for students and parents. This policy ensures that students can access their phones from their backpacks if needed during a crisis. However, in an emergency, the most crucial priority is for students to follow staff instructions immediately. Cell phone use during a crisis can be a distraction and may hinder the ability to respond effectively to safety directives. 

Support & Next Steps

We recognize that adjusting to limited cell phone access may be challenging for some students. Over the summer, we encourage you to work with your daughter to identify strategies that can help her prepare for this shift and ease the transition into the new policy. You may find these resources helpful:

• The Latest on Teen Cell Phone Addiction
• How to Help Teens Disconnect from Digital Devices
• 7 Ways Parents Can Help Teens Manage Phone Use
• Cell Phones and Devices: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Partnering Through the Transition

This policy marks a meaningful shift in daily student life, and we commit to supporting our students through the adjustment. Together, we will help students find healthy, engaging alternatives that make it easier to step away from their phones and be more present with one another throughout the day.

Our goal is to create the most supportive and focused learning environment possible for your daughter. Thank you for partnering with us in this important effort.

With appreciation,