Board of Education adopts revised Code of Conduct with “Bell to Bell, No Cell” provision

During their regular monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 16, members of the Broadalbin-Perth Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a revised student Code of Conduct that includes a provision prohibiting student use of cell phones during the school day — or, “Bell to Bell, No Cell” for short.

The vote came after a public forum on the topic that was held Wednesday, Sept. 11. During the forum, Superintendent of Schools Stephen Tomlinson, Jr./Sr. High School Principal Mark Brooks, and Board of Education member Ed Szumowski spoke about the reasons for proposing the change in the Code of Conduct, including concerns about students’ academic performance and mental health, as well as anticipation of a statewide ban on student use of cell phones in public schools.

Szumowski said that he recognizes this measure must go beyond a cell phone ban, and referenced Jonathan Haidt’s bestselling book, “The Anxious Generation,” when warning about the addictive nature of social media and other apps and the hold technology has on our attention and our lives.

Tomlinson presented the feedback the district received through a website form, which ranged from unqualified support for the move, to concern from parents and students used to being in regular contact with each other, to predictions of misbehavior by students seeking to sneak in use of their phones during the school day.

Even though the change in the Code of Conduct wasn’t formally adopted until the Sept. 16 meeting, Brooks noted that the high school has been operating under the policy since the first day of school. He said there have been minimal issues with student compliance, although he acknowledged that there is typically a “honeymoon period” at the beginning of the school year. Brooks said that the culture of mutual respect between students, faculty, and staff at the high school is making it possible for the policy to be effective without the use of lockable technology, such as Yondr pouches, which have been implemented in many surrounding schools.

Several students in attendance weighed in on their experience during the first five school days. While some found the change hard at first, many said they are enjoying seeing the faces of their classmates when walking through the halls (rather than heads bent over phone screens), and have enjoyed playing board and card games with their peers during down times, such as during lunch or learning labs.

Near the end of the presentation, Tomlinson and Brooks addressed some of the most common concerns voiced by parents about the policy:

• What if my child needs to reach me during the school day? Brooks said that students are encouraged to speak with a teacher or building leader to request to use their phones for occasional, urgent matters. Students who don’t bring their phones to school can ask to use a teacher’s phone in a classroom or a phone in one of the main offices.
• What if I need to reach my child at school? Tomlinson said that parents can always call the school main office. If a parent must speak with their child directly, the main office staff can call the child to the office to take the phone call.
• What if my child uses an app for medical reasons? Tomlinson said that reasonable accommodations are already being made for students who use technology to, for example, control a hearing aid or monitor glucose levels.

Perhaps the most common concern expressed by parents is fear of being unable to reach their children during a catastrophic emergency, such a school shooting. Tomlinson acknowledged their fears, but told them that experts agree that student use of cell phones during an emergency can negatively affect their safety. For example, phones can distract students’ attention from directions being giving by school staff or first responders, and the noise from a cell phone could alert a shooter to a student’s location, putting the student directly in harm’s way. Tomlinson reassured parents that the district will always communicate directly with them through ParentSquare in the event of an emergency, and will post timely and accurate information on the district’s website.

The complete text of the “Bell to Bell, No Cell” provision of the student Code of Conduct is as follows:

Cell Phones

Students are allowed to bring cell phones to school. They are not allowed to be out for any reason during the school day. Students must keep cell phones out of sight at all times between the start of the first block class and the conclusion of the last block of school.

If a student is caught using their cell phone throughout the course of the day, they will face a leveled form of consequence.

Consequences

Students caught with cell phones during the school day:

• First Offense: Students are provided a warning and are asked to put their cell phone away.
• Second Offense: Phone is taken away by the staff member and held until the conclusion of the class. Parents are notified that their student has violated the cell policy for the 2nd time.
• Third Offense: Phone is taken away and sent to the Jr. High or Sr. High office to be held until the end of the day. Parents are notified that their student has violated the cell policy for the 3rd time.
• Fourth Offense: Students are sent to the appropriate office to turn their phone over. Parents will be called and asked to pick the cell phone up from the office. Students will also face disciplinary consequences of either detention, in-school suspension or out of school suspension.
• Additional Offenses: Phone is taken away and turned into the appropriate office. Parent is called and must pick up the phone from the school. The student will be required to place his/her phone in a Yondr pouch at the start of each day until such time as determined by the building Principal.

A student taking and/or distributing pictures or videos

Due to the privacy rights of all students and faculty, no student shall take and/or distribute any picture or video at any time while in Broadalbin-Perth Schools. This includes before, during, and after school on the school campus, on school-sponsored field trips, during school-sponsored athletic events, and during school-sponsored dances.

Failure to comply will result in an immediate discipline referral to administration and may result in in-school or out-of-school suspension.