We, the undersigned parents, educators, and community members of Lower Merion School District (LMSD), respectfully ask the LMSD Board and district leadership to formally place on the agenda, discuss, and move forward with a K–12 “Bell to Bell” policy for student phones and personal digital devices, with clear, common sense exceptions.

What we are asking for
We are urging the Board to place this item on a Policy Committee agenda by spring, so a districtwide policy can be finalized in time for the start of next school year. This would allow LMSD to begin developing, adopting and implementing a districtwide K to 12 policy that keeps student phones and related personal devices off and away for the entire school day, including classrooms, lunch, recess, and passing time, with clear exceptions for medical needs and IEP or 504 accommodations.

Why this matters
 There is growing and overwhelming evidence that access to phones and personal devices during the school day is harmful to learning and student well being. Research and real world experience consistently link school device access to distraction, reduced attention, cyberbullying, social isolation, increased anxiety, poorer academic outcomes, and decreased safety during emergency situations.
Schools that have adopted bell to bell phone free policies report that students are more present, more social, and more engaged. Classroom disruptions decline. Learning improves. Lunchrooms and hallways become places of connection again. These changes benefit not only students, but also educators and staff. LMSD’s current guidance versus a formal policy has resulted in varying practices and inconsistencies. This approach leaves constant temptation and distraction and puts the burden of enforcement at the school and classroom level.

Equity and the achievement gap
 Evidence increasingly shows that device access during the school day widens existing achievement gaps, with students who already face academic, social, or economic challenges experiencing greater distraction, lower engagement, and worse outcomes. A clear, consistent bell to bell policy creates a more equitable learning environment by setting the same expectations for all students and protecting instructional time for those who need it most.

State and national momentum
Across the United States, most states have now taken action to limit student phone use during the school day. Pennsylvania (PA) is moving in that direction, but does not yet have statewide requirements in place. In the meantime, leaders across PA are urging districts to act locally, and the Commonwealth’s largest teachers union, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, has publicly called for bell to bell ban to support learning, student mental health, and school climate.

Importantly, this is already happening. As of October 2025, approximately 425 out of 499 PA school districts have adopted some form of formal phone or device policy, with momentum continuing to grow. LMSD is now among a small minority of districts that have not yet moved forward with a clear districtwide policy.

We respectfully ask the LMSD Board and administration to:

• Add a K–12 bell to bell phone ban and personal device policy discussion to an upcoming Policy Committee agenda.
• Create a clear process and timeline for community input and policy development
• Engage educators, administrators, students, parents, and staff in a transparent, collaborative discussion
• Develop a districtwide K–12 policy by the start of the 2026-2027 school year with common sense exceptions that supports learning, well being, safety, and equity

A phone free school day supports what school is meant to do: help children focus, connect, learn, and thrive. We respectfully ask LMSD leadership to move this conversation forward now.

To keep the petition concise, we have compiled key research, reports, and reference links in a separate document, available here.

Signed,
 Parents, educators, and community members of Lower Merion School District