Students from several high schools in eastern Connecticut will debate the question: “Should cellphones be allowed in the classroom?” in the 2017 Dr. Grace Sawyer Jones Parliamentary Style Debate.

Sankofa Education and Leadership Inc., which organizes the debate, announced the format for the event for debate teams in north and south regions.

The North Region Parliamentary Style Debate for Area High Schools will feature advanced and novice debate teams from Bacon Academy, Plainfield High School and Norwich Free Academy. The north region debate will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, in the Tirrell Building at NFA, 305 Broadway, Norwich.

The South Region Parliamentary Style Debate for Area High Schools will feature advanced and novice debate teams from Marine Science Magnet High School, New London High School and Three Rivers Middle College Magnet High School. The south region debate will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at New London High School, 490 Jefferson Ave., New London.

The debates are free and open to the public. The program, named for retired Three Rivers Community College President Grace Sawyer Jones, is sponsored and funded by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Chelsea Groton Bank, Savings Institute Bank & Trust, CorePlus Credit Union and Norwich Public Utilities.

For more information, contact Shiela Hayes at (919) 219-2529 or email sshsealinc@yahoo.com.