WORCESTER—The Standing Committee on Finance, Operations and Governance of the Worcester School Committee is holding a hybrid meeting to discuss, in particular, the district’s cell phone use policy.
The meeting, to be held at 4:45 p.m. on Monday, will involve a discussion of a proposed cell phone use policy introduced last August by former School Committee Member Tracy O’Connell Novick. The new policy would amend the current one in the student handbook.
Molly McCullough, at-large school committee member and chair of the Standing Committee of Finance, Operations and Governance, said that currently the cell phone use policy in the schools is “basic,” and the proposed revision will be based on extensive feedback from administrators, educators and students.
“Our current policy is slightly basic when it comes to phones and do not involve things specifically with earbuds and other uses of technology that may apply,” McCullough told the Worcester Guardian. “We asked that the administration connect with school staff, students, and families to get input on updating the policy. The new proposed policy is more robust in what it covers and does outline consequences for violating the policy.
McCullough joins Dianna Biancheria, vice chair, Jermaine Johnson and Kathleen Roy as members of the standing committee.
“I think Tracy [Novick] proposed an order to make sure it lined up with the vision of the learner and students being future-ready,” said McCullough, “but it is also important that students are being respectful when it comes to times when it is not appropriate to use your phone in school.”
“In the Worcester Public Schools, we recognize technology’s significant role in modern education,” reads the proposal submitted by the Office of Instruction and School Leadership. “We acknowledge the potential benefits of cell phone use as a tool for educational purposes. However, we also recognize the challenges that come with cell phone usage in schools, including distractions, disengagement, and overuse.
“Initial feedback has been received over the last several months from the parent/community roundtable, the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee, and from our secondary principals,” continued the recommendation.
The new policy recommends cell phones be allowed for:
Educational use: At the discretion of the classroom teacher and building administrator, cell phones may be used for educational purposes and communication, such as research and specialized educational applications. Teachers may let students use personal cell phones for educational reasons if another school-issued device is unavailable.
Communication: Students may use cell phones for educational communication via district-approved applications (e.g., email or chat application) with teachers, classmates, and parents outside of class time.
Important use: In the case of emergencies and other important matters that involve safety, including personal safety and the safety of others.
Communication between students and parents and caregivers: During the school day, parents should channel urgent communication with their children through the school office. Students are not permitted to use cell phones to communicate with their parents during instructional time.
Emergency Notifications: Parents and guardians are encouraged to keep the school informed of any changes to their contact information to ensure timely communication during emergencies.
The proposal continues that teachers in the classroom shouldn’t authorize using cell phones for any non-educational reasons, such as social media or video games, during class time. Also, the new outline proposed that cell phones must be powered off (or on “silent” or “airplane” mode) and out of sight during class time.
“Teachers, administrators, and school staff will promote digital citizenship by teaching students responsible and ethical use of technology, including cell phones, in educational and professional contexts,” the proposal continues.
Violations could result in receiving a warning, having the device confiscated temporarily, and meetings with the student’s parent(s) or guardian.
Further, the proposal includes the use of earphones or earbuds in schools, and states that the acceptable use these would include listening to educational podcasts or audiobooks, participating in virtual classes or using language learning apps or educational software.
“An initial conversation will take place [on Monday] and any questions or motions that need to be made will occur,” said McCullough, “and it may have it go back to administration for further work, or if it gets approved it would then go before the full school committee for approval. I think it’s important that the policy came to us with feedback from educators, administrators, students and families.”
