Gloversville to implement cellphone-free school days this fall | Leader Herald News
Superintendent David Halloran announced the new policy in a letter to parents and guardians on Tuesday. GESD requires all students in grades 6-12 to store their cellphones, smartwatches and earbuds in Yondr bags, lockable bags that allow students to keep their devices nearby but out of reach throughout the day. The bags will be kept closed with a magnetic clasp until dismissal, after which students will regain access to their electronic devices.
Halloran’s letter stated that GESD has experienced “numerous cases of conflict/disciplinary violations among students” due to electronic communications inside and outside of school.
“New York State has made it clear: school districts have a responsibility to stop inappropriate communication among students on social media,” Halloran wrote. “It is a fact that systematic misuse of personal electronic devices has negatively impacted the learning environment in our schools, and the Gloversville Enlarged School District (GESD) is taking additional measures to mitigate these disruptions.”
GESD is one of several districts in the area that have recently taken steps to reduce student cellphone use in school. Last week, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School announced that students must leave their electronic devices in “cellphone stands” for the duration of each 80-minute class block. Unlike children at GESD, students at BHBL are allowed to continue using their cellphones during lunch and between classes.
Cell phones in schools: Districts consider policy changes and cell phone cases
The introduction of Yondr bags in Gloversville is not an unprecedented move in the Capital Region. Schoharie Central School District introduced the bags two years ago, and the district has since seen great success in reducing distractions and disruptions among students.
The Greater Amsterdam School District will also follow in Schoharie’s footsteps this year. Other schools, such as Niskayuna Central School District, have banned the use of personal devices in class without establishing strict enforcement protocols.
Halloran wrote that Gloversville will begin a large-scale rollout of Yondr pouches in early October. The principal’s letter also included data pointing to the success and popularity of the Yondr product. Over 1,000 schools in 21 countries currently use Yondr pouches.
The company recently surveyed more than 900 of its partner schools about their new phone-free classroom environments. In the areas of student engagement, behavior and academic performance, a majority of schools reported improvements after introducing the bags.
Amsterdam schools introduce telephone-free lessons in grades 6 to 12
The principal also tried to address any concerns about the policy, saying that in the event of an emergency, parents and students can contact each other immediately through the school’s main office. If a student needs to retrieve contact information from their phone, their Yondr pouch can be temporarily demagnetized under adult supervision.
“We understand that some parents, guardians and students will not support this new measure, but based on feedback from our staff, analysis of our own disciplinary data, and the success other school districts have had implementing such a program, we firmly believe this is the right way to ensure an optimal learning environment for all,” Halloran wrote.
Amsterdam schools introduce telephone-free lessons in grades 6 to 12
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake changes cell phone policies at high schools
Cell phones in schools: Districts consider policy changes and cell phone cases
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