By Abigail Merenda – Social Media Editor-in-Chief 

Each new school year comes with a few policy changes – and the 2026-2027 school year is no different.

The most impactful new policy for Jonathan Law students this year is that cell phone lockers have been installed for the first time in each classroom.  

All students are now required to put their phones in these lockers every class period. Once the period is over, they are allowed to retrieve their phones and have them during passing time and at lunch. 

Upperclassmen are allowed to keep their phones throughout their study hall, while underclassmen have to remain in compliance and put their phones in lockers. Students must also keep their headphones and earbuds stored away during class time. However, responsible use of phones and headphones is permitted during passing periods and lunch.

Law Principal Mr. Darcy said he has already seen a change in students’ academic habits thanks to the new cell phone policy.

“It’s very early into the school year, but I’m already noticing distractions from phones and social media have stopped since students aren’t allowed to access their phones during instructional time,” Darcy said. “I also believe this will allow students to be more actively engaged in all of their classrooms as the year goes on.”  

Students who violate the new cell phone policy will face the appropriate consequences. There will be four levels of offenses for students who violate or fail to comply with this policy.

The first and second offenses require normal after-school detention. The third offense is one day of ISS, where the main office will hold the student’s phone until the end of the day where a parent or guardian has to retrieve the phone. The final offense will be advanced progressive disciplinary action determined by administration.

Dean of Students Mr. Ragaini said he hopes students will be more present throughout the school day

“Our hope is that this policy gives students the opportunity to be fully present in their learning, present with their peers, and maybe even capable of surviving a few minutes without checking their phones,” Ragaini said. “ I’ll be the first to admit that I have a tough time being away from my phone, so I know this transition won’t be easy, especially in the beginning. But hopefully, over time, we’ll see more engagement, stronger relationships, fewer distractions, and teachers spending less time playing cell phone police and more time doing what they do best – teaching.” 

Junior Cora Aitkenhead has a positive attitude about the new policy.

“As it is pretty early on in the school year, it’s been hard to tell whether or not students will use the new phone policy to make positive changes to their work habits during class,” Aitkenhead said. “Whether we as students like it or not, as we settle into the school year and the assignments start to flow in quickly, I think not having a device in front of us at all times will in the end help us become more productive during class, or at least present and centered in the class we’re in – even if that means we have to be bored for a while.” 

Spanish teacher Mr. McPartland said this policy hasn’t changed his classes much from the previous year. 

“In all honesty, students in my classes have been great about putting their phones in the Victor lockers as soon as they walk into class,” McPartland said. “I had a very similar policy in my class last year, so it wasn’t a huge change for me personally, but I did take some time to explain to my students why the high schools in Milford are going this route, which I think is extremely important. So far, there have been no issues at all, and I think students will ultimately enjoy the time away from their phones.”

Freshman Chloe Coretti believes the new policy actually benefits her.  

“For me, it doesn’t affect me as much,” Coretti said. “It gives me more time to socialize and enjoy being present without having to worry about screens.”