Region One schools weigh student cellphone policies

Everet Belancik, HVRHS junior, using a cell phone at school. New rules restrict when cell phones can be used.
Simon Markow

Everet Belancik, HVRHS junior, using a cell phone at school. New rules restrict when cell phones can be used.
FALLS VILLAGE — In February’s State of the State address, Governor Ned Lamont (D) said, “All too often, our young people find themselves too distracted by their smartphones and disconnected from the reality of what is happening around them, including while in their classrooms, and it’s having negative impacts on their learning and mental well-being. It is crucial that we adopt stronger policies to address this issue head-on.”
There are growing concerns that cellphone use can impact brain development and mental health.
In Region One, which includes the towns of Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, North Canaan, Salisbury, and Sharon, Superintendent of Schools Melony Brady-Shanley said, “We will be discussing this topic at our next region-wide policy meeting. Each of our schools have a ‘practice’ and a related technology usage policy that prohibits the usage of a cellphone/personal technology during the instructional day.”
She added that “The Region-wide policy will be discussing the formality of this in the coming weeks related to each grade level,” (elementary, middle, high).Brady-Shanley said that the next step would be approval by the Board of Education, “once a policy is drafted”.
At Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Principal Ian Strever explained, “Our procedure at the high school is that all students are expected to put their cellphones in the caddies that are in each classroom. They must remain there for the duration of the period unless a teacher allows use of them for instructional purposes.” He added, “We do allow some exceptions to the procedure for students who require them for medical reasons.”
“Those teachers who have implemented this procedure in previous years report excellent results, and we are looking forward to how this approach will impact students across the school.”
All of the Region One schools hold students responsible for the safety of their devices and say it is “a privilege, and responsibility, not a right” to have a cell phone in school.
Students may not use their phones for sending harassing messages or cyberbullying, to access pornography, or to take pictures of other students without permission according to current Region One policies.
Cellphone policies for each elementary school are available on their websites in the Student Handbooks. The schools’ policies agree that during classes, cellphones should be in a caddy or lockers and should be turned off during school hours.
Violations of these rules can result in loss of cellphone privileges and having to leave the phone at home.
Simon Markow, a junior at HVRHS, spoke from a student’s point of view. “My feelings toward the new cellphone rules are a little split. I think the rules are very strict, but so far, I have seen some students work a little harder and be more focused, but the phones do come in handy at times.”
Before the new phone caddie rules, Markow said, “The problems were just kids playing games during school hours, all hours. It got boring after a while when everyone, but a few, were on phones during lunch or classes.”
Markow likes to use his phone to organize. “With not having my phone in class, I have to write my homework or events down while walking the halls.”
He summed it up. “I think the phone policy is good for some students, but it doesn’t help everyone.”
The HVRHS boys rejoice around Jackson McAvoy after he scored the game-winning goal against Shepaug with just two minutes left to play.
WASHINGTON — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys varsity soccer team advanced to the Berkshire League tournament final after a 1-0 win over Shepaug Valley High School in the semifinal game on Friday, Oct. 24.
Jackson McAvoy scored the game-winning goal with just two minutes remaining.
The victory marked HVRHS boys soccer’s first victory over Shepaug since 2020.
“Finally,” said HVRHS Coach Adolfo Portillo after the game.
HVRHS will play top-ranked Nonnewaug High School in the BL final. Nonnewaug advanced to the title game by beating Northwestern Regional High School in penalty kicks (4-3) after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
The championship game will be played at Nonnewaug beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28.

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Students dressed in neon lined the soccer field for senior night under the lights on Thursday, Oct. 16. The game against Lakeview was the last in a series of competitions Thursday night in celebration of Homecoming 2025.
As homecoming week reaches its end and fall sports finish out the season, an air of school spirit and student participation seems to be on the rise across Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
But what can be attributed to this sudden peak of student interest? That’s largely due to SGA. Also known as the Student Government Association, SGA has dedicated itself to creating events to bring the entire student body together. This year, they decided to change some traditions.
Spirit week from Oct. 14-17 was unlike those of the previous years. From wearing Housatonic merch to Boomer vs Baby day, this year’s spirit week held a little friendly competition to see which grade could participate the most.
“I think that students are bored of the same old activities and events, so it’s good to switch things up even slightly to incentivize interest within students,” said SGA president and senior Mollie Ford. “Plus the point system is super beneficial because it gives students a reason to participate.”
The school spirit sentiment can be seen outside of just the school. Senior Simon Markow is known for his photography throughout the community, and has dedicated time to help Housy sports teams’ social media posts.
“Since I’ve started photography, I think school attendance [at sports games] has gone up,” Markow said. “I feel this year, students will be more aware of games and are more likely to be at the games.”
Whether it’s a pink-out volleyball game or an under the lights soccer match, it’s likely you’ll see some familiar faces.
Social media has played a large role in this over the years. Almost every student organization at Housatonic has an Instagram account, and it’s helped reach students more efficiently than a poster or email would.
“The increase of social media use, with the help from me but as well as the teams themselves has definitely increased student interest,” Markow said. “With Housy teams posting more about their upcoming games, and my help showing the cool goals, spikes, or touchdowns, it’s enlightened students to watch the games themselves.”
In a small school, promoting pride has proven to be a challenge. But this year’s senior class has made some adjustments in the hopes to change that.
“The SGA community has spent the last few years really focusing on student participation, because we think it’s the students who contribute to a better climate,” Ford said. While Housatonic’s student body may be small in size, it seems they certainly aren’t small in spirit.