Starting this fall, Seattle’s Hamilton International Middle School will enforce a new policy requiring students to lock their cell phones and smart devices in pouches throughout the school day. The initiative, supported by the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), aims to enhance academic performance, student engagement, and mental health while reducing bullying and disruptions. Previously known as “away for the day,” the existing policy was difficult to enforce, prompting the school to implement the locked pouch rule. Despite some parental concerns about emergency communication, PTSA leaders emphasize the policy’s benefits in fostering a focused learning environment and minimizing daily distractions from device usage.
