Following the legislation passed by New York State, the Board of Education at Goshen Central School District has adopted the policy titled “Students and Personal Electronic Devices”, which can be read in its entirety here. See a summary of the policy below.
The policy adopted by the Board of Education is in compliance with the state mandate, banning the use of “internet-enabled devices.” These devices are defined as “any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch or other device capable of connecting to the internet and enabling the user to access content on the internet.”
Students may not use their internet-enabled device during the school day. Specifically, this includes “all classes, homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time” on school grounds. At each level, there are tactics for implementing the policy:
- At the elementary level, students are discouraged from bringing their devices to school. Any device that is brought to school must be silenced and kept in a bag/ backpack.
- At the middle and high school, students’ devices must be silenced and stored in a locker as soon as the student arrives at school.
Exceptions to this policy include any device which is given to students by the district and for educational purposes.“Specific purposes” are also listed for exceptions, which are:
- When necessary to manage a student’s healthcare
- Translation services
- Students who are routinely responsible for the care and wellbeing of a family member (on a case-by-case basis)
The policy states that parents/guardians may request an exception for their child to use internet-enabled devices during the school day as listed above by contacting their building principal. For healthcare exceptions, this message must include documentation from an appropriate healthcare professional.
The mandate requires schools to include a method for students and families/caretakers to contact each other. In Goshen, parents/guardians may contact their children by calling their school’s office. Students will have access to phones in their school to call out to their parents/guardians during the school day.
For more on the cellphone ban, follow Goshen’s YouTube page for information from Interim- Superintendent Mr. Bongiovi, which is shared weekly through Parent Square.