To: Wallingford Swarthmore School District School Board and Administration

We acknowledge that Personal Electronic Devices, such as smart phones, are increasingly common and provide students and their families with a sense of security and safety through immediate and direct communication. 

However, use of personal electronic devices during the school day disrupts the educational and social/emotional learning environments that are critical to students. Additionally, electronic devices, in the case of an emergency, may create dangerous situations by disseminating misinformation or interrupting administrative procedures as noted by school security experts and Department of Ed, as well as our own high school WSSD teachers and staff. 

We are asking the following of the Wallingford Swarthmore School District Board:

1. Designate Wallingford Swarthmore Schools as Personal Electronic Devices-Free Zones, meaning off and away all day.
2. Ensure Alternative Communication Methods for students to access during school and after school hours.
3. Establish Clear and Consistent Policy and Plan For Meaningful Enforcement At Administration Level.

The rationale supporting our ask is robust:

• Optimize Learning: Students are distracted with constant notifications, making it hard to focus on their studies and adding extra burden on teachers to redirect students’ attention. 
• Mental Health Impact: Numerous studies link electronic device use in children to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
• Increase Face-to-Face Interaction: School is a place for social development and interaction, yet electronic devices discourage meaningful face-to-face communication.
• Reduce Cyberbullying: Data shows cyberbullying is a growing concern in schools, exacerbated by constant access to electronic devices.
• Improve Academic Performance: Numerous studies have shown that students without access to electronic devices during school hours perform better academically.
• Promote Healthy Habits: Limiting personal electronic device use encourages healthier habits, like increased physical activity and better sleep.

By implementing a district wide policy, consistently across all schools, establishing and enforcing personal electronic device free zones, we can facilitate a more meaningful learning ecosystem for all students. The well-being, mental and social learning, and academic education of our children needs our attention! Please sign the petition today.

Sincerely,

Parents and Guardians of Wallingford Swarthmore School District