Tower Special Issue #1 (2024-2025) by Tower

NO MORE PHONES?

NEW SCHOOL POLICY SPARKS REACTIONS RENOVATIONS AHEAD SEE PAGE 2

BREAKDOWN PAGE 3

STUDENT OPINIONS ON PAGES 4-5

NEW TEACHER GALLERY PAGES 6-7

Renovations revamp art, music and dining life

As students clambered off buses, drove in with freshly minted licenses and trekked down the hill from the dorms, they returned to campus to an unfamiliar sight: a huge fence barring access to the quad.

This disruption on student pathways is not without cause. Over the summer, several campus renovations began. The Cameron Mann Dining Hall sound-absorbing ceiling fuzz got shaved, the kitchen added a shiny new hood and the Masters Hall entrance received a fresh coat of paint. The Art Studio will soon boast a new ceramics studio and balcony while the Claudia Boettcher Theatre is getting a deep clean and revamp. Finally, Strayer Hall, the cause for the fencing, will be completely remodeled and modernized.

“I’m a firm believer in not spending money—the School’s resources— just to be shiny, or be a shiny space,” Laura Danforth, head of school, said. “There’s a current parent, who’s also an alum and also an Emmy Award winning musician, named Kara DioGuardi…and she said, ‘Laura, just don’t make it too glossy. Kids just need to gather and jam together.’”

The Art Studio is a hub for Masters artists to create, rest from the hectic school day, and explore passions in visual art. It has been closed off since the beginning of this school year for construction, delayed by the installation of a sprinkler system.

“As our serious art student population has increased dramatically, we needed to increase the amount of studio space they have to pursue their work. They have access to their studios at all hours of the day and weekends, much like students in a college level art program,” Cheryl Hajjar, chair of the upper school art department, said.

Hajjar also explained that the Ceramics Studio will be encapsulated for improved ventilation, cleaning, and functionality. Most of the art room will likely be open to students by mid-September.

“I’m really excited to see the new space,” Nola Hirdt ‘26 said, who will take her third ceramics course this spring.

Strayer Hall, previously used for the Department of Performing Arts, athletics and security, will now primarily house DoPA. Classrooms, offices, and rehearsal spaces will span both floors.

“The rooms are being designed so that the space for contemporary bands suits that kind of sound and that kind of music best. The space for

classical instrumental, that’s going to be designed a little bit different,” Curt Ebersole, a performing arts teacher and private lesson coordinator, said.

Strayer is projected to reopen to students by September 2025.

Like Strayer, the CBT is fundamental to DoPA education, performance and student life. The Theatre has temporarily shut down due to a leak and consequential mold, but is projected to re-open around Thanksgiving after the mold is fully remediated.

More extensive renovations of the CBT will follow sometime in 2025, Danforth said.

With the removal of old soundproofing material in the dining hall came a large influx of noise. The old ceiling helped control sound, but the new one reflects the soundwaves.

Bergelson said, “There’s some sound-deadening panels that are supposed to be coming in...as soon as those get put up, the sound is going to be much improved.”

Danforth oversees the ren ovations, along with Associate Head for Finance and Op erations Andy Schneider, As sociate Head of School for

Institutional Advancement Seth Marx and Director of Operations Daniel Pereira. The Chair of Performing Arts Jennifer Carnevale and Theater Technical Director Peter Wylie will join the team to work on the CBT.

“Change is hard, and I’m just

acutely aware of that. I want people to feel really good about their school, but at the end of the day, if we all prioritize our relationships with one another and our learning, facilities take a back burner,” Danforth said.

Allie FA ber & JAck billm An RENOVATING THE ART STUDIO will open up more space for ceremics and

art students. It will be completed in the next few weeks and open for students to

ALLIE FABER/

ZADIE COLLINS AND VIVIANA Rolston present in Studio Arts Foundations class in the temporary art room, a tent out in front of the part studio while renoavations are finaized space, outside of Masters Hall.

JENNY XU/TOWER

Log off and lock in: new phone policy arrives

Junior Willow Lovett walks up to the third floor of Masters Hall for her first class. Her schedule fully memorized for the rest of day, she glances up at the clock and is reassured that she made it to class on time. Lunch comes around and Willow reaches into her back pocket to text her friends, only to remember that she can’t. Eventually she finds her friends in the Dining Hall, and sits down to join a lively conversation.

Because of the new cell phone policy, Upper School students are no longer allowed to use their phones during the academic day. From 8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m., students are required to have their cellphones turned off and stored in their backpacks, left at home or in their dorm rooms. If a student is found using their phone, it will be taken and kept in the Dean’s Suite. They can then pick up their phone at 3:05 p.m.

Last year students were required to put their phones in special holders during class time but were allowed to use their phones in between classes or during a free period. However, the new phone policy disallows phones at all times during school hours.

Administrative perspective

Head of Upper School Peter Newcomb said, “Last year’s move to the cellphone holders was a good first step. It helped reduce use in classes, led to shorter bathroom breaks, and helped with overall distractions. It didn’t, however, address the impact that phone use throughout the day was having on our students and the missed opportunities to engage with one another.”

He continued, “One of the aims of the new policy is to improve the overall wellness of our students by reducing the amount of time spent on social media. There is a vast amount of research that all points to the detrimental impact that social media has, particularly on the developing brain. Another hope is rooted in our Mission Statement. The idea of ‘gathering’ requires us to be fully present with one another. This is challenging with the omnipresence of cellphones, and the programs that run on them, which are, by their nature, designed to promote engagement with the app.”

According to a survey by Pew Research, more than 70% of high school teachers say student phone distraction is a “major problem.”

Student perspective

Before coming to Masters, sophomore Zara Murray attended a school in Jamaica that had a similar but even harsher phone policy. If a teacher found a student on their phone, they would take the student’s phone away not just for the day but for the rest of the term. Murray believes that getting your phone taken away for a few hours at Masters is “a blessing” compared to several months.

Murray said, “It’s not a foreign feeling to me to not be able to access my phone, although I can see how it would be very hard for other students, especially with new schedules at the beginning of

the year. But for me at least, I’ve found that I can work around it [not having a phone], but it is very tedious.”

As an international student, Murray has found that the most difficult part of not having a phone during school has been feeling disconnected to her family back home. She said, “When I was applying to boarding schools, one of the main things I wanted was to be able to use my phone throughout the day. I understand not using a phone in class unless it’s an emergency, but I’m far away from my family, and I just don’t like not being able to talk to somebody.”

Junior Nathalie Jansky shared her thoughts on the phone policy. “I surprisingly do like it. The policy has made me more productive during my free periods.

I also remember walking around campus last year and noticing how everyone constantly looked down at their phones—it felt almost robotic. Regarding lunch, it seems like the policy forces people to connect rather than just defaulting to their phones out of boredom.”

Despite some complaints, Newcomb reports overall satisfaction with the new phone policy. “Surprisingly, I have heard only positive things from students and faculty, ranging from greater engagement in class, students feeling less pressure to be on their phone, since nobody else is. It has only been a week, but I am hopeful that the positive experience that people seem to be having continues,” Newcomb said.

Justine Pascutti

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JUSTINE PASCUTTI/TOWER

JULIA BARRO ‘26 USES her phone in the Student Life Office, the only location students may access their devices during the day.

Phone Policy:

Friends over phones: learning how to find balance in a digital world

Over the summer, a shocking message came from Head of School Laura Danforth: no phones during the academic day. While this rule has some advantages, it comes with significant drawbacks.

Instead, the policy should be changed back to last year’s system: phone pockets for each class. Taking away cell phones for the whole day removes the opportunity for students to learn social-emotional skills while managing apparent distractions. It also prevents students from learning how to balance these distractions that are a clear reality in today’s world.

As a tenth grader, I experienced one year

“most mature students choose friends over phones in social settings”

- Loewy Nalle ‘27

where the only limitation of cell phones was during class, stored in a shared pocket on the wall, and retrievable as soon as class ended. That policy taught me how to find a healthy balance between no-distraction learning and having a cell phone by my side outside of class. As a sophomore and an alumna of the Middle School, I have learned that high school is a time to find those balances and maturity, especially after having no phones for four years during a vital stage of development.

Being present in class is the priority. It is literally written in our mission statement: “We gather to learn.” I believe a more enforced cell phone holder policy would get rid of distractions during class with potential punishments if not followed. This policy will teach students a healthy balance between class and free time.

Some may argue that prohibiting cell phones during free periods or lunch can enhance true social connections. However, as a high school student,

I have noticed that most mature students choose friends over phones in social settings. That said, some students use their phones as a crutch.

At Masters, primarily in the Middle School, we are taught to follow the core four values of respect, integrity, compassion and responsibility. If the policy was changed, students would have to showcase their responsibility by managing the use of their phones wisely.

Incorporating the other three core values is a schoolwide effort to include students struggling to make social connections. Our mission statement also emphasizes meaningful connection and inclusion is a key part of that. Teaching inclusion may seem basic, but it is significant in social-emotional learning (SEL). SEL aims to teach students self-management, relationship skills and responsible decision-making, skills which we practice developing best when we are challenged by the presence of a phone. If Masters wants SEL skills

to be the norm in our community, the responsibility level in all grades needs to increase- with SEL learn ing implemented in the school. With that respon sibility, students should be allowed to have cell phones during the school day to help create that important balance. Masters students are creative and thoughtful. When it comes to developing innovative solutions for social engagement and SEL, the phone policy will be the least of our worries. However, keeping phones in pockets during class is vital. Education comes first, but another important priority is teach ing students how to make mature, balanced decisions in a digital world.

Loewy NaLLe

Productive or Problematic?

students embrace a new era of connection

NeeNa atkiNs

“Our community thrives on strong interpersonal relationships and a deep sense of belonging. At the heart of our Harkness pedagogical approach, we place value on the art of discussion, of being present, and of collaborating with one another,” wrote Head of School Laura Danforth. On Aug. 15, members of the Masters community were informed of a significant change for the 2024-25 school year: Phones would no longer be allowed during the school day.

My initial reaction to the new policy likely mirrored many of yours – sheer horror.

The thought of navigating the school day without immediate access to our phones seemed unimaginable. Questions arose: How would we coordinate lunch plans, check the LMS

or call our parents to vent about the frustrations of the day? My mind spiraled with these life-or-death questions and for a brief, dramatic moment. It felt like the end of civilization as we know it.

A 2022 study conducted by Pew Research Center revealed that 54% of teenagers believe giving up social media would be difficult, while 46% admitted they are online almost constantly. Interestingly, only 36% felt they spent excessive time on their devices – a statistic that reflects a broader societal dependence on digital platforms, often unnoticed by the users.

However, only a couple of days into this phoneless reality, my perspective has changed. Initially, the absence of phones felt akin to stepping into a ‘90s sitcom where nobody has GPS, but without the buzz of notifications, I find myself paying more attention to my surroundings and conversations.

Before the new phone policy, my instinctive reaction after class was to reach for my phone and open Snapchat (unless I was frantically

checking my schedule or rushing to Cushing). Now, without immediate access to my device, I aimlessly roam the halls attempting to locate my next class, lost, but, unexpectedly, more social. The transition has been disorienting at times, but it has made me not only less reliant on my phone but also aware of how much time I once wasted on mindless scrolling.

Another advantage of the new policy is the blissful relief it provides from the relentless onslaught of social media conflicts and group chat notifications. Throughout the school day, we are no longer subjected to the constant distractions of the digital world, as the no-phone rule creates a buffer between academic life and external pressures. It’s nice to focus on my classes and the people right in front of me without worrying about my long-distance friend’s latest issue.

While I originally met the no-phone policy with a mix of disbelief and dread, I’ve come to appreciate its benefits. The “disconnected” world isn’t the end of the world; it might just be a better one.