Hopkinton High School students will have a few adjustments when they return to school Aug. 28. The most notable: Cell phones will be “away and off for the class period,” according to Principal Evan Bishop.

In the past, teachers could choose to allow students to keep their phones in class, or they could have the students place them in phone holders located in each room.

This year, the decision was made that all phones will be put in the holders during class time — including when a student leaves to use the bathroom. Exceptions will be made if teachers want to use the phones as part of their instruction, or in the case of “rare or extenuating circumstances that would require a student to have access to their phone during class for personal use.” The ban does not apply to smart watches.

In a conversation Aug. 15, Bishop said the policy change was enacted “based on conversations with students and parents and teachers.” He noted that numerous districts across the country have been moving to ban phones in the classroom, with many having far more strict policies.

“It has been a conversation a lot with the staff,” Bishop said. “We want to try to best support them. Even talking to some kids, they can appreciate it. It’s tough to stay focused when you are constantly getting alerts and texts. It’s really distracting for the kids, and they feel the pressure to be on their phone constantly.”

Students will have access to their phones between classes and during lunch and study halls, which will allow them the ability to stay connected, especially if something urgent arises (although parents are encouraged to contact the school office in case of emergency).

”We didn’t want a complete ban because of that,” Bishop said. “That’s why we didn’t do [something as strict as] what some other places are doing. We feel this is a happy medium.”

The information was included in Bishop’s welcome back letter to school families on Aug. 12, and he said things were quiet in the days immediately after the email went out.

“Surprisingly, I haven’t heard much of anything either way,” he said. “But I’m looking forward to the conversations we might have.”

There are a couple of other policy changes worth noting. First is that vape detectors in school bathrooms have been reactivated. They were turned off the last couple of years, Bishop said, but they have been reactivated following some technological advances.

Second is not so much a policy change but a note that there is a parking crunch. With class sizes increasing, more spots are being reserved for seniors, leaving fewer options for younger drivers. Bishop said there will be stricter enforcement of parking rules to ensure those with a permit can find a spot.

Bishop is hopeful the adjustments will go well and the focus can be on class instruction.

“Obviously, teaching and learning is number one,” he said.

Marc Cohn to appear at HCA

Marc Cohn, who won the Grammy Award for best new artist in 1992 on the strength of his hit song “Walking in Memphis,” was announced recently as the singer for Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ Celebrity Spotlight on the Arts fundraising concert.

The concert will be held Sep. 28 at 8 p.m. at the HCA’s Delbridge Family Performance Space. Tickets are $200 per person, and all proceeds go toward supporting HCA’s mission and annual fund.

With only 200 seats available, the event likely will sell out.

“It’s going to be an awesome concert in such an intimate space,” HCA executive director Kelly Grill told our Nick Schofield for a story that ran on the Hopkinton Independent website when the show was announced early this month. “We’re super excited.”

In conjunction with the concert, HCA is running an online auction, with items including a Broadway package to see the Harry Potter musical, a week-long stay at a house in Ireland and a guitar signed by Cohn.

The HCA also is partnering with local restaurants — including Start Line Brewing and Central Public House — that will offer special concert menus or discounts to those attending the show.

Visit hopartscenter.org for more information.

Youth basketball tourney Aug. 31

Hopkinton teenager Sahasra Charkam is working with VT Seva, an international organization that works to promote and fundraise money for tribal and visually challenged schools in India.

“These schools not only work towards education through technology and experiments, we also expand our efforts into sports and many other extracurricular to provide a holistic experience!” Charkam shared. “Our students from the Nethra Vidyalaya school have not only been top-ranked individuals in India, but beyond this they have been chosen to play on the Indian cricket team for the blind and participated in international competitions, winning multiple awards.”

As part of VT Seva’s fundraising efforts, the organization is hosting a 3v3 youth basketball tournament for grades 6-12 on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 2-6 p.m. at Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury. There will be cash prizes, medals and certificates for the top teams.

To learn more, visit vtsworld.org/boston.