When Naugatuck Public Schools adopted a bell-to-bell phone prohibition at the start of the 24-25 school year, I braced myself for pushback. As the principal at the high school, I had many conversations over the summer with parents convinced their children would be unsafe without instant communi cation access. Instead, I witnessed something remarkable: our school became demonstrably safer, our students more engaged, and our teachers more energized. The transformation became starkly clear during our first month of operation. Both our high school and middle school were targeted by near-simultaneous “swatting” calls—false reports of imminent armed threats designed to trigger maximum chaos. We immediately initiated lockdowns and engaged our emergency protocols with the Naugatuck Police Department. What happened next revealed the unexpected power of a phone-free environment. Police arrived within minutes, secured both buildings, and returned us to normal operations in less than 30 minutes. During our debrief, officers shared crucial feedback: in similar past situations, they had contended with misinformation spreading on social media and reaching news outlets, creating parent and community traffic that slowed response times and complicated building security. Because our students didn’t have phones, these obstacles simply didn’t exist. The benefits extended beyond logistics. Teachers reported that students were more present in the moment, more responsive to directions, and better able to process the situation afterward. Without the temptation to film, text, or post, what could have spiraled into a major trauma became a minor disruption handled with remarkable calm. While the call turned out to be a hoax, it proved that phone-free schools create conditions where emergency responders can do their jobs efficiently— exactly what we need during any crisis. The National Association of School Resource Officers agrees, having released a letter this year supporting bell-to-bell phone prohibitions in all schools. Fewer Distractions. Better Learning. Credit: PhonefreeCT.org But the safety improvements go far beyond crisis response. Our day-to-day school culture has been transformed. Discipline referrals have dropped. Physical altercations and bullying incidents have sharply declined. Hallways and cafeterias buzz with actual conversation instead of the eerie silence of students hunched over screens, and teachers’ morale has been boosted by the removal of these obstacles to deep learning and real connection. I understand parents’ concerns; I’m fighting to keep my own children’s lives as phone-free as possible for as long as I can. But the research is increasingly clear: the damage these devices cause to children’s social-emotional and academic development far outweighs any perceived benefit. Connecticut is currently considering legislation to implement bell-to-bell phone free schools statewide. As an educator who has implemented such a policy with great success, as a local board member whose constituents increasingly support this approach, and as a parent, I urge our state to do what is right for students and pass this legislation. Our kids deserve schools where they can learn, thrive, and belong. Achieving that means creating the conditions where teachers and students can build strong relationships and where our children’s time and attention are protected from distractions to academics. In my experience, phone-free environments are a foundation for schools to best serve their students. John Harris is the principal of Naugatuck High School, where he has served for seven years, and is a member of the Region 4 Board of Education.   ...read more read less