Westford Academy students are now required to keep their cell phones turned off and stored away throughout the school day as the district takes a stricter approach to personal cellphone use.
The “bell-to-bell” restriction requires students to keep their phones away while school is in session between 8 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. The policy applies throughout the school day, including passing periods, lunch and study halls.
This change was discussed as part of updates to the Westford Academy student handbook. During the May 26 School Committee meeting, Westford Academy Principal Dan Twomey presented the new “off and away” policy.
“We’re going to start the year with cell phones off and away,” Twomey said during the meeting.
This new policy comes after more than a year of discussion in Westford about how schools should handle student cellphones.
WestfordCAT News spoke with educators in August 2025, after the Massachusetts Senate approved legislation that would have required public school districts across the state to adopt cellphone-free policies.
At the time, Westford Academy students were allowed to use their phones in certain areas, including the cafeteria and between classes, although phones were prohibited during classes without specific teacher permission.
Superintendent Christopher Chew told WestfordCAT that the lack of consistent expectations across schools had been one of the challenges surrounding cellphone use.
“The fact that there will now be statewide guidance/expectations is actually very helpful,” Chew said. “Consistency with expectations like this are far more successful in my experience than when everyone is doing something different.”
Chew also said more than 2,700 personal devices had connected to Westford Academy’s Wi-Fi during the previous school year, despite the school having approximately 1,500 students. He said the number showed the extent to which personal devices were being used at the high school and their impact on the school’s technology infrastructure.
Westford’s middle schools had already moved toward stricter cellphone restrictions.
The Lloyd G. Blanchard and Stony Brook middle schools began using Yondr pouches in 2024. This system allows students to keep possession of their phones while preventing them from accessing the devices during designated cellphone-free periods.
Chew said the system reduced the burden on teachers to enforce cellphone restrictions.
“This technology allows for the educators to remove the devices from the conversation, which is a game changer indeed,” Chew said. He said the transition had a “profound impact” on the learning environments at both middle schools.
Westford’s experience with the middle-school restrictions preceded the new bell-to-bell policy at the high school.
The change also comes as Massachusetts lawmakers continue to consider statewide restrictions on cellphone use in schools.
In April, the Massachusetts House passed legislation that would require public school districts to prohibit students from using cell phones during the school day, from arrival through dismissal. The bill, H.5366, passed with 129 votes to 25.
Rep. Jim Arciero voted in favor of the legislation. He said the bill was intended to address both cellphone distractions in classrooms and concerns surrounding children’s use of social media.
“This legislation takes an important step toward protecting the well-being of our children both online and in the classroom,” Arciero said. “By setting age-appropriate safeguards for social media use and limiting distractions during the school day, we are helping students stay focused, build healthier relationships with technology and create stronger learning environments.”
If approved, the bill would also establish age-verification requirements for social media platforms, with children under 14 prohibited from accessing social media platforms altogether. Children ages 14 and 15 would need verified parental permission to create social media accounts.
The bill would also prohibit social media companies from sharing certain sensitive information about users under 18 and require school districts to teach students about the potential negative effects of social media, including bullying and other risks.
While the bill would require schools to adopt bell-to-bell restrictions on cell phone use, exceptions for medical, educational and accessibility needs would be allowed. Schools would also be required to maintain a way for parents to communicate with their children when necessary.
The bill also includes resources for districts implementing the restrictions, including a model policy and a pilot program that would allow up to 10 districts to test technology designed to limit cellphone use while maintaining emergency communication capabilities.
This bill comes after the Senate approved bill S.2561 in 2025, creating its own guidelines and restrictions to school cellphone use.
The issue has also prompted discussion among Westford School Committee members about the balance between reducing distractions and maintaining communication between students and their families.
Following the approval of the Senate bill in 2025, School Committee Chair Kathryn Clear told The Westford Villager she supported efforts to reduce cellphone distractions in school, while acknowledging concerns from families about communication with their children during the school day.
“We have to support our staff in making sure our students are present, not just for learning, but for the social aspect as well,” Clear said.
Clear also said the district would follow a statewide cellphone requirement if one became law.
