Cell Phone Policy FAQ
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Why did O'Dowd make this change?
There's more to this story than a new policy. Learn how O'Dowd students researched the issue, visited peer schools, engaged the community, and helped shape O’Dowd’s Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Policy.
I need to be able to reach my child/parents during the day.
Parents can always contact their child through the main office and messages will be delivered promptly. This ensures that important communication happens without disrupting the learning environment. Parents are also welcome to email their student directly via their @bishopodowd.org email address.
How do I contact my student during the school day?
Parents and/or guardians who need to contact their student during the school day and/or change the pick-up time of their child, may do so by calling the main office. While we, as parents, have all become reliant on quick access to our students during the school day for routine questions, research shows that this has a negative impact on their ability to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
If a student does need to contact their guardian, they may use the phone at the main office, dean’s office or their counselor's office.
What if my child has a medical condition that must be monitored by their cell phone?
Students requiring smartphones for medical purposes (such as diabetes monitoring) should submit written documentation from their healthcare provider to our Dean’s Office for approval and accommodation.
What if there is an emergency?
Parents should contact our Main Office or Deans Office for personal emergencies. For school-wide emergencies, we will continue to use our established communication systems including email and texting.
What if my child needs their phone in case of a crisis or lockdown at the school?
School security experts say phones can make children less safe in crisis situations for the
following reasons:
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Students must focus on adult instructions. Phones distract from life-saving guidance given by teachers or first responders.
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Phones compromise hiding and lockdown efforts. Light and sound from phones can reveal student locations to an assailant.
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Emergency communication channels must stay clear. Mass calls or texts can overwhelm networks, delaying first responder coordination.
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Parents rushing to school can delay emergency access. Traffic caused by concerned parents may block or slow emergency vehicle response.
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Crowds create confusion. More people near the building increase risks and may complicate identification of threats.
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Schools are equipped to manage emergency communications. Trained personnel handle information flow and reduce misinformation.
Why can’t we continue with the cell phone caddies during instructional time?
The social aspect of the school day is just as important as academics. Students need to build
meaningful relationships and foster a sense of belonging within their community. By creating
a phone-free environment, we restore essential opportunities for social development.
Will it be harder for students to make connections and friends if they are offline all day?
Social media tends to foster asynchronous interactions leading to greater levels of anxiety, loneliness, and depression. In-person socializing forms far stronger connections and supports the development of healthier social and emotional skills.
Isn’t it better to teach kids to use phones responsibly rather than take them away?
Brain science research and expert psychiatrists say the adolescent brain is not able to manage the addictive pull of cell phones and social media. The social media platforms and games that young people spend much time on were deliberately designed to be addictive. Additionally, part of teaching responsible use is creating phone-free zones that help students understand that phones are a tool to be used at specific times in specific ways, rather than being something that is on and used 24/7.