District procedures limit cell phone use in schools
Aug. 7, 2024The Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education recently received a petition from community members asking for the district to ban the use of cell phones for students in grades 5-12 during the school day.
“We are aware this is an action that some districts nationally and in New York state have instituted, and we are reviewing our building procedures to determine if a change is necessary. However, our current practices already mirror those now being implemented by some districts that have recently been making national news on this topic.” Superintendent Christopher DiFulvio said. “We recognize and understand the research regarding cell phone use and its impact on brain development, which is why as a district we already have specific cell phone procedures in place that are aimed at student safety and well-being.”
At the elementary level, students are not permitted to use phones and must store them in their cubbies during the school day. In middle school, the use of cell phones for non-instructional use is prohibited during the instructional day except under special circumstances with teacher approval.
“At the high school level, students are taught and encouraged to use their phones appropriately,” High School Principal Molly Hagan said. “This means that students are not using or accessing their phones during instructional time without explicit teacher permission, although students do have free use of their phones before homeroom, during transition periods and during lunch periods.”
“We strive to help our students learn how to use cell phones and smart technology appropriately and manage screen time,” Hagan said. “We are focused on helping them build skills that they can transfer to post-secondary education and beyond. We believe it is our shared responsibility with families to teach our teens how to balance using these tools in their life and related to their learning.”
DiFulvio said the district has a long tradition of developing procedures and policies collaboratively with parents and students. Shared decision-making committees, which are made up of students, parents and staff, at all three levels annually review these practices. Parents are encouraged to contact their student’s principal if they are interested in joining these committees.
“As education is ever-changing, we continue to meet with stakeholders and try to address the needs of the modern student,” DiFulvio said. “For parents who choose to provide their child with a phone, both Apple and Android offer apps that can help parents control their child’s screen time and block harmful social media apps.”
Anyone with questions or concerns may reach out to a school building principal or the superintendent.
