During a recent government meeting in Darien, community members voiced strong support for the \"Away for the Day\" initiative, aimed at banning cell phones in schools. Ansley, a local priest and youth mentor, highlighted the detrimental impact of smartphones on students' communication skills and social interactions, particularly exacerbated by the pandemic. He shared observations from his work with middle and high school students, noting that when phones are put away, students engage more meaningfully with each other and their mentors.

Bruce Clark, a history teacher at Darien High School, echoed these sentiments, recounting a classroom exercise where students overwhelmingly supported a proposal to ban cell phones during school hours. He described how a student-led initiative to keep phones in pouches during class garnered significant support, indicating that students recognize the benefits of reduced phone usage. Clark emphasized that while enforcing such a policy can be challenging for teachers, the positive outcomes for student engagement and focus are worth the effort.

The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters, including the hiring of school principals and assistant principals, as well as the superintendent's contract. The discussions reflect a growing concern among educators and community members about the role of technology in education and the need for policies that foster better learning environments.