The Marist administration will be implementing new policies for the upcoming school year. These changes will include a new ‘Off and Away’ phone policy and new vape detectors in all bathrooms.

The Illinois State Senate recently approved a bill (SB2427) mandating that school districts ban wireless devices during class time by the 2026-27 school year. As a result, the Marist administration has decided to make the change this coming year.

“Effective August of 2025, we will be implementing a ‘Off and Away’ policy whereby students will not be permitted to have their cell phones, headphones, earbuds or Apple watches out during the school day,” said Principal Meg Dunneback in an email to parents.

The new ‘Off and Away’ policy will be in effect during school hours, 8:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. This will include all lunch periods and passing periods.  

Some students are not pleased to learn about the phone policy.

I understand the reason behind it, but it feels restrictive and overlooks how phones can also serve as valuable tools for communication,” said freshman Caden Campo.

“If they want to get rid of phones, they should get rid of technology. Anything we do on our phones we can do on our iPads anyway,” said freshman Olivia Connor. “Imagine teachers not being able to grade on Canvas, but having to go back to paper.”

“If Marist wants to be college-prep, they should give students freedom and independence with their devices like they do in college,” said sophomore Erin Trapani.

During lunch periods on Monday, Dean of Underclassmen Don Pirkle announced that Marist received grant money from the State of Illinois as it relates to safety, security, health, and wellness. The school will be using this money to install additional HALO vape detectors, which will notify staff if a sensor is alerted. 

“We get automatic notifications, so if one of the sensors goes off, a notification gets sent to Mr. Callahan who is our director of security and right now myself, and Dean Pettinger,” said Pirkle.