By RICK MILLER
OLEAN STAR
Local students returning to area schools next week will be facing a major change in lifestyle — a school day without cell phones or other internet access.
The new New York State Law approved earlier this year by state lawmakers is designed to eliminate the distractions of the internet during the school day so students can concentrate on learning.
How are local school districts going to enforce the student cell phone ban?
At Allegany-Limestone Central School, District Superintendent Anthony Giannicchi expects a smooth transition to a cell phone-less school day — “bell to bell.” It applies to all internet-enabled devices including smart watches.
Giannicchi said, “Our cell phone policy is to have the students put it in their lockers for the day — as soon as they come in. We’ve had this policy at the middle school for the past four or five years and they didn’t have cell phones in elementary school.”
The superintendent said cell phones can be a distraction to learning.
“The high school students weren’t too bad” with cell phones and seniors who had down time in the senior lounge will probably miss it. “It’s a state law. It is what it is,” he added. “Everyone will be able to focus on work – bell to bell.”
If a parent needs to contact a student, they can call the school office. A portable phone is available for a student to call home at any time, Giannicchi explained.
The only electronic devices that can be used are tablets or laptops supplied by the school district or BOCES.
The cell phone ban applies to all instructional and non-instructional time including homeroom periods, recess, study halls and free time.
In the Olean City School District, the use of cell phones during school hours has been prohibited since 2023, so students are used to not using their cell phones during school.
The district’s Code of Conduct has recently been updated to reflect requirements under the new state law prohibiting cell phones in schools.
It states: Students will not engage in unauthorized use of cell phones or other electronic devices. At ALL OCSD School buildings, cell phones must be in lockers and off or secured by an administrator/teacher during school hours.”
The Code of Conduct lists sanctions for violating the cell phone policy, starting with a teacher requesting the student turn it off and put it away or risk it being confiscated.
District Superintendent Dr. Genelle Morris told the Board of Education earlier this month that cell phones will need to be in students’ lockers from the beginning of the school day until the end.
At Portville Central School, High School Principal Lawrence Welty sent parents a letter in July outlining the district’s policy concerning cell phones in light of the new state law prohibiting their use by students in schools.
“We understand that cell phones have become an integral part of everyday life, but research and experience show that excessive use during the school day can be a significant distraction,” the letter read. “This policy, which is now included in our code of conduct, will help restore academic focus and enhance student engagement in the classroom.”
Welty said, The ban on internet-enabled devices during the school day includes any smart phone, tablet, smartwatch, or other device capable of connecting to the Internet. The prohibited time for internet-enabled devices will be from the first bell at 7:45 a.m. until the last bell at 2:27 p.m.
“School day means all instructional and non-instructional time, including but not limited to classes, lunch, recess, study halls, senior lounge, passing time between classes, and locker time,” Welty said in the letter.
The cell phones and other internet-enabled devices must be secured in students lockers prior to the 7:45 a.m. bell and remain there until after the 2:27 p.m. dismissal bell, Welty said.
We understand the need for parents to have the ability to communicate with their child during the school day,” Welty said in the letter. “Parents may call the school’s main office (716) 933-6005, and the office staff can relay messages to the student or call the student to the office to speak with their parent.”
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