Longmeadow approves stricter student device rules; elementary wearables banned, high school limited use allowed

The Longmeadow School Committee voted May 27 to adopt revised student handbook language that generally requires personal electronic devices to be “off and away” during the school day for all grades, bans wearable technology at the elementary level and allows limited device access at the high school during lunch, designated blocks and passing time.

The change matters because it replaces varying local practice with a districtwide expectation aimed at reducing classroom distraction while preserving limited access for high-school students to contact parents or manage after-school logistics.

Tom Landers, presenting proposed handbook language for Longmeadow Public Schools, described a tiered, age-based approach developed from staff, parent and student feedback. “In all grades, pre k through 12, there would be an expectation that student devices would be, turned off and stored away, meaning not carried on their person during the school day,” Landers said. He noted exceptions at the high school for lunch periods, scheduled “ice blocks” and passing time; otherwise, devices would be stored in backpacks or in a so-called cell-phone hotel.

Landers said elementary principals recommended banning wearable technology such as smartwatches even if devices are in school or airplane mode because wearable tech often created discord or unintended access. At the high school level, Landers and High School leaders argued for a change in enforcement language that would require teachers, rather than merely allow them, to separate a student from a device when needed. As Tom Landers put it: “The proposal is that a teacher must separate this a student from their device. That's the difference.”

District staff and committee members said the policy is intended to be age-appropriate. Presenters stressed training, consistent enforcement and educating students about responsible device use; one staff speaker noted a cell-phone hotel system can make enforcement easier because teachers can confirm pouches at the start of class.

During discussion committee members raised enforcement burdens and edge cases, such as middle-school students who do not carry backpacks between classes and classroom activities (for example, instrument tuning) that may occasionally require device use. The administration said exceptions for structured learning activities and special-education needs would remain available at teacher discretion or by explicit permission.

Jamie (committee member) moved to approve the Longmeadow High School and K–8 handbooks with the new device language; the motion passed by recorded vote with committee members voting in favor. The change will be incorporated into the handbooks for the 2025–26 school year. The committee did not adopt additional hardware requirements such as mandatory pouches for all students.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the May 27 meeting; direct quotes are taken from the meeting transcript.