Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, The Bush School will move to a “Cell Phone Free” policy during the academic day for students in grades Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade, except to manage medical needs as approved by the school. To learn more about the new policy’s implementation and enforcement, please consult the Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School Handbooks.
When there are emergency situations on campus, we communicate through sirens and announcements played on speakers throughout campus. We have not relied upon student cell phones to communicate in the past. The school will communicate with parents and guardians in emergency situations through phone, text, and email via our mass notifications system.
Students who depend upon their phones for a medical condition are allowed to use their phones and smartwatches during the day. Parents and Guardians should contact Wellness Coordinator Happy Salinas-Santos to set up a meeting so that the school is aware of their child’s medical needs
Generally speaking, we encourage parents not to communicate with students during the school day so that students can remain engaged with their classes and community. However, if a parent needs to communicate with their child during the school day, they should contact the Administrative Assistant for their division, and they can coordinate a message to be delivered. Parents can also email their child and ask them to call home from the Administrative Assistant’s office.
Parents should contact the Administrative Assistant for their division to inform us that you’ll be picking up your child early. If a student is not aware of it already, school personnel will inform the student.
In the Middle and Upper School, students will be given customized planners that reflect the school schedule for every school day during the year. Teachers and advisors will work with students on making sure that they are using the planners to help keep track of their schedules so they know where they need to be and what work they need to do for their classes.
If a Bush faculty or staff member sees a student with a cell phone on them, they will ask the student to put the phone away either in their backpack or locker. If this happens a second time, students will be asked to turn in their phone, and they can retrieve them at the end of the school day. If it continues to happen, there will be a parent meeting and further disciplinary consequences.
There may be some instances where a teacher explicitly asks students to use cell phones for educational purposes in the classroom. In those cases, students may do so for that class period only.
Faculty and staff are allowed to use their cell phones as they frequently need them during the course of their work day. For example, communicating with Administrative Assistants about attendance or contacting a colleague if assistance is needed. However, we are encouraging faculty and staff to minimize their use of cell phones when possible in order to be more present to the students and community around them.
Additional Resources
A list of national studies and articles on the effects of smartphones and the internet on student mental health, belonging, and wellbeing.
The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 735 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities.
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status.