VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Vaccaro Package Re-Cut
BROOKE VACCARO: THE NEW YORK STATE TEACHERS UNION IS IN UNANIMOUS SUPPORT OF WHAT THEY ARE CALLING A BELL-TO-BELL RESTRICTION ON CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS.
CHARLIE VIVIANO: “I turn my phone off, put it in the thing, and I can’t turn it on until I get back home.”
BROOKE VACCARO: THE RESOLUTIONS AIMS TO REDUCE DISTRACTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM AND IMPROVE POSITIVE STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS. ALL SCHOOLS ARE NOT CURRENTLY FORCED TO HAVE RESTRICTIONS, BUT ADMINISTRATORS ARE BEING PROACTIVE AS THE STATE PUSHES THEM.
TOM COLABUFO: “Right now with everything we have it’s not an outright ban, is what no one is really looking for. It’s more of some restrictions and obviously really restricted in the classroom.”
BROOKE VACCARO: COLABUFO KNOWS THAT BECAUSE PHONES CAN BE ADDICTING, STUDENT’S MIGHT HAVE A HARD TIME ADJUSTING TO SCHOOL WITHOUT THEM.
BROOKE VACCARO: CENTRAL SQUARE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS USING FORUMS AS WELL AS STUDENT, PARENT AND TEACHER SURVEYS TO ENSURE THAT ANY FUTURE RESTRICTIONS ARE EFFECTIVE AS WELL AS FAIR. BUT EVERY SCHOOL IN THE STATE IS NOT LOOKING AT CELL PHONE POLICY IN THE CLASSROOM THE SAME WAY.
CHARLIE VIVIANO: “Everyday before class starts we have to put our phones in this concealed box in these little small pouches with no visibility to our phones.”
BROOKE VACCARO: AT CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY IN SYRACUSE, THEIR CELL-PHONE LOCKERS ARE NEW THIS YEAR. STUDENTS HAVE TO BE PHONE-FREE IN CLASS, AT LUNCH AND IN THE HALLWAYS.
BROOKE VACCARO: FOR TEENS LIKE CHARLIE WHO ARE CONSTANTLY ON THEIR PHONE AT HOME, HE IS STILL GETTING USED TO THE BAN. DESPITE THIS, HE ISN’T UPSET.
CHARLIE VIVIANO: “As much as I don’t like not having my phone on me, it’s worth it I think.”
BROOKE VACCARO: Brooke Vaccaro, N-C-C News
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – In September, New York State United Teachers passed a resolution supporting a state-wide ban on cell phones and smart devices in the classroom. The unanimous vote was in favor of what the union is calling a “bell-to-bell” ban.
Schools are not currently forced to have restrictions, but some have already implemented total bans. Freshman at Christian Brothers Academy, Charlie Viviano, was notified about his school’s new policy two weeks before the first day of school.
“Everyday before class starts we have to put our phones in this concealed box in these little small pouches with no visibility to our phones.”
The resolution comes from the constant disruption of dealing with cell phones in the classroom and social- media related distractions. Restrictions are to be decided on a local level with input from educators and parents, according to the union.
Superintendent of Central Square School District, Tom Colabufo, is taking his time to ensure that any future policy is the best option for everyone.
“Right now with everything we have it’s not an outright ban, is what no one is really looking for. It’s more of some restrictions and obviously really restricted in the classroom.”
Central Square School District is using forums as well as student, parent and teacher surveys to ensure that any future restrictions are effective as well as fair. Colabufo is also keeping in mind that while phones can be a distraction, some students will have a hard time adjusting to school without them.
“For some students if it was a ban from the beginning of the day to the end of the day, that’s 8 hours not connected. That’s hard for them to just say no. A lot of people that I’ve talked to and doctors say it’s very similar to someone that is addicted to nicotine.”
At Christian Brothers Academy, Charlie says that some of his peers are protesting and refusing to give administration their phones. While he wishes the school gave students more notice about the ban, he still sees the benefit of phone-free learning.
“As much as I don’t like having my phone on me, it’s worth it I think.”