Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Baltimore are increasingly limiting cell phone use in an effort to strengthen learning and relationships between students and teachers. (Christopher Gunty/CR Staff)

Catholic school cell phones policies aim to boost focus, well-being, real connection


By
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Baltimore are increasingly limiting cell phone use in an effort to strengthen learning and relationships between students and teachers.

Cell phones tend to shut down meaningful communication. “They don’t promote engagement and the interaction that students and teachers should have,” said Danielle Hladky, director of communications and marketing at Calvert Hall College High School in Towson.

Limiting phone use is also about respect, Hladky said. Calvert Hall’s policies aim to encourage direct, one-on-one interaction instead of the multitasking often seen with technology.

The school enforces an “all time” cell phone policy. Now in its 11th year, the policy bans phone use inside classrooms and buildings. Students may only use phones outside. Devices seen or heard indoors are confiscated until the end of the day. Violators typically receive six days of detention. The school is “very serious” about cell phone use and texting, she said.

Maryvale Preparatory School in Lutherville adopted a similar policy. Jessica Randisi, head of student life and dean of students, said the school introduced a “phone-free Monday through Friday” policy after piloting it during the 2024–25 school year. Students could self-monitor phone use with the understanding that a “turn in” program would be enforced if necessary. The pilot succeeded and was fully implemented in March.

“The students expressed some angst about this, but overall, it has gone well,” Randisi said.

At St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in Severna Park, principal Glenna Blessing said students turn in phones and smartwatches, retrieving them later in the day.

“By removing smart technology, we’re able to work on the social well-being of students,” Blessing said. “They must collaborate and look each other in the eye.”

Cell phone policies are not only helping students stay focused, they also address safety and mental health concerns.

“Research shows a clear link between the rise of cell phone usage and the increase in teenage anxiety, depression and numerous other mental health concerns,” Randisi said.

The distraction factor is also significant. In spring 2024, Maryvale surveyed its students using a tool from the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools. The results showed 40 percent of students admitted to texting while doing schoolwork, and 39 percent said they used social media at the same time.

International trends

  • In 2018, France enacted a law banning mobile phones, tablets for students aged 3 to 15 (primary and middle school).
  • In 2021, China’s Ministry of Education prohibited students from bringing mobile phones to school without written parental consent.

    In 2022, Italy extended its existing bans on mobile phones in primary and middle schools to include high schools, allowing exceptions only for educational use or students with special needs.

  • As of September 2024, seven U.S. states have implemented statewide policies that ban or restrict cellphone use in K-12 public schools

Read More Schools

IND Alumnae Association establishes scholarship endowments at Mercy, Mount de Sales

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-before-296768’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-before-296768’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-before-296768’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/INDAAMercyMDSA-Rings.jpg’, description: ‘IND Alumnae Association establishes scholarship endowments at Mercy, Mount de Sales’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-before-296768’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

The Institute of Notre Dame Alumnae Association has established endowed scholarship funds at Mercy High School in Baltimore and Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, providing a combined $50,000 investment to support incoming students with family ties to the former Institute of Notre Dame.

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-after-296768’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-after-296768’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-after-296768’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/INDAAMercyMDSA-Rings.jpg’, description: ‘IND Alumnae Association establishes scholarship endowments at Mercy, Mount de Sales’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-after-296768’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

Continue Reading IND Alumnae Association establishes scholarship endowments at Mercy, Mount de Sales

Mount St. Joseph inducts 12 alumni into Athletic Hall of Fame 

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-before-296792’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-before-296792’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-before-296792’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/MSJ-Hall-of-Fame-Class-of-2026.jpg’, description: ‘Mount St. Joseph inducts 12 alumni into Athletic Hall of Fame ‘ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-before-296792’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, Mount St. Joseph High School in Irvington inducted 12 distinguished alumni into its Athletic Hall of Fame Sept. 11.

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-after-296792’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-after-296792’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-after-296792’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/MSJ-Hall-of-Fame-Class-of-2026.jpg’, description: ‘Mount St. Joseph inducts 12 alumni into Athletic Hall of Fame ‘ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-after-296792’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

Continue Reading Mount St. Joseph inducts 12 alumni into Athletic Hall of Fame 

Radio Interview: Faith, community and a new school year 

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-before-296691’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-before-296691’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-before-296691’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/091426_900x600.jpg’, description: ‘Radio Interview: Faith, community and a new school year ‘ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-before-296691’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

Christopher Gunty talks with Gregory Farno, chancellor for education for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and School Sister of Notre Dame Patricia McCarron, superintendent of Catholic Education, about the start of the school year, what makes Catholic schools distinctive and how they support students academically, spiritually and socially.

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-after-296691’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-after-296691’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-after-296691’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/091426_900x600.jpg’, description: ‘Radio Interview: Faith, community and a new school year ‘ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-after-296691’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

Continue Reading Radio Interview: Faith, community and a new school year 

21 receive papal honors

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-before-296692’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-before-296692’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-before-296692’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/0I1A5272-Enhanced-NR_KP_EDIT.jpg’, description: ’21 receive papal honors’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-before-296692’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

A sense of joy filled the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sept. 12. As family and friends applauded and cheered, Archbishop William E. Lori, himself smiling brightly, bestowed honors from Pope Leo XIV to 21 members of the laity, clergy and religious of the Archdiocese of Baltimore during solemn lauds (morning prayer).

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-after-296692’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-after-296692’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-after-296692’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/0I1A5272-Enhanced-NR_KP_EDIT.jpg’, description: ’21 receive papal honors’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-after-296692’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

Continue Reading 21 receive papal honors

Betty Contino, a giant in empowering Baltimore’s Catholic school students, dies at 81

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-before-296541’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-before-296541’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-before-296541’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/102825_WEA_Luncheon-CardinalShehanSchool_KP-5940-1-1.jpg’, description: ‘Betty Contino, a giant in empowering Baltimore’s Catholic school students, dies at 81’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-before-296541’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

Betty Contino, a diminutive-yet-larger-than-life presence in Baltimore education and longtime chairwoman and chief executive officer of the Women’s Education Alliance (WEA), died Aug. 31 at 81. Through WEA, she helped thousands of students attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, while also supporting teachers, school leaders and the broader needs of the schools she served.

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-after-296541’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-after-296541’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-after-296541’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/102825_WEA_Luncheon-CardinalShehanSchool_KP-5940-1-1.jpg’, description: ‘Betty Contino, a giant in empowering Baltimore’s Catholic school students, dies at 81’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-after-296541’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

Continue Reading Betty Contino, a giant in empowering Baltimore’s Catholic school students, dies at 81

A great teacher and a welcome manifesto

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-before-296284’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-before-296284’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-before-296284’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/083126_IHM-FirstDayOfSchool2026_KP-4812.jpg’, description: ‘A great teacher and a welcome manifesto’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-before-296284’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

Reluctant as I am to fiddle with the U.S. Constitution, I’m willing to consider an amendment banning any elementary school from opening before Labor Day.

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#facebook-after-296284’).sharrre({
share: {
facebook: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘facebook’);
}
});
$(‘#twitter-after-296284’).sharrre({
share: {
twitter: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘twitter’);
}
});
$(‘#pinterest-after-296284’).sharrre({
share: {
pinterest: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/083126_IHM-FirstDayOfSchool2026_KP-4812.jpg’, description: ‘A great teacher and a welcome manifesto’ } },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘pinterest’);
}
});
$(‘#linkedin-after-296284’).sharrre({
share: {
linkedin: true
},
enableHover: false,
enableTracking: true,
disableCount: true,
buttons: { },
click: function(api, options){
api.simulateClick();
api.openPopup(‘linkedin’);
}
});

});

Continue Reading A great teacher and a welcome manifesto

Copyright © 2025 Catholic Review Media

Print Print