By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The School Committee unanimously approved a new policy cellphone and electronic device policy during an Aug. 7 meeting.
School Committee member Jim Dillon, who serves on the Policy Subcommittee, gave an overview of the finalized cellphone and electronic device policy. He said the policy applies to students in grades K-12.
Dillon said the cellphone and electronic device policy for the elementary schools encourages students to “leave all personal electronic devices at home.”
“We strongly encourage parents to contact the main office if they have to get a message to their student,” said Dillon while reading the cellphone and electronic device policy. “Schools provide any necessary electronic devices needed for schoolwork such as Chromebooks. If a child does bring a cellphone, smartwatch or similar electronic device to school, it must remain off and in the student’s backpack.”
Dillon said the new cellphone and electronic device policy for Lynnfield Middle School seeks to prohibit students from using cellphones, smartwatches, headphones, earbuds and other devices “within the school building during regular school hours, 7:20 a.m. – 2 p.m., and should remain shut off and placed in lockers at all other times.”
“Non-authorized electronic devices can and will be confiscated by faculty, staff or administration, and held in the main office for the remainder of the day,” said Dillon.
Dillon said the cellphone and electronic device policy for LMS students includes five different discipline tiers for “non-compliance.” He said the first tier entails having a device taken to the main office for the rest of the school day, and notifying a student’s parent or guardian.
If a LMS student fails to abide by the policy a second time, Dillon said the cellphone or other device will be taken to the main office and “the student will receive a two-day lunch detention.”
“The student will check in their device for the next two days in the main office,” said Dillon. “The parent/guardian will be notified.”
If a middle school student violates the cellphone and electronic device policy for the third time, Dillon said, “The student will receive an after-school detention and (the) parent/guardian will be notified.”
In the event a fourth offense occurs, Dillon said a parent and/or guardian meeting will be scheduled and “the device will be checked in for two weeks at the beginning of the day in the main office.”
“Additional violations can result in lunch detentions, and suspension from extracurricular activities,” said Dillon. “The device will be checked into the office for a time to be determined by the principal.”
Dillon said the cellphone and electronic device policy for Lynnfield High School students will prohibit cellphones, smartwatches, headphones and other devices from being “used within the school building during class time.”
“Devices should remain shut off and placed in the student’s backpack or cellphone holder area, as designated by the teacher, at all other times,” said Dillon. “Students may not bring their device into the hallway during class periods. They are to remain in the classroom. Students may access their devices between class, during lunch and during study hall.”
Dillon said LHS students will be allowed to use a device for coursework if they receive permission from their teacher and/or an administrator beforehand.
Similar to the middle school component of the policy, Dillon said the LHS portion includes “progressive discipline for non-compliance.”
As part of the first offense, Dillon said a LHS student will receive a warning from a staff member, will be required to put their device in a backpack or cellphone holder, and their parent and/or guardian will be notified.
In the event a second offense occurs, Dillon said the LHS student’s device will be “taken to the main office for the remainder of the day.” He also said their parent and/or guardian will be notified.
Dillon said the third offense tier contains similar rules as the second tier along with an additional requirement that, “The device will be checked in for a week at the beginning of the day in the main office.”
If a student violates the policy for a fourth time, Dillon said a parent and/or guardian meeting will scheduled and the student will be referred to meet with their school counselor. He also said the device will be checked into the main office at the beginning of each school day for two weeks.
“Additional violations can result in office detentions, and suspension from extracurricular activities,” said Dillon. “The device will be checked into the office for a time to be determined by the principal.”
Dillon said students who use a cellphone or other electronic device to cheat on any test, quiz or assignment will be facing “disciplinary action.”
Additionally, Dillon said “the recording of video, picture-taking, and/or posting of such on the Internet is strictly forbidden at any time during the school day.” He said this component of the policy applies to all four schools.
Dillon also said students at all four schools “may access a device as required by their health plan, 504, individualized education plan or district curriculum accommodation plan.”
School Committee member Jamie Hayman said the cellphone and electronic device policy is “a good start.”
“I think it is something we are going to need to review each year,” said Hayman. “We need to get input from teachers about how it is working at the end of each year. We need to make that commitment.”
Hayman requested that Superintendent Tom Geary ask LHS Athletic Director Mia Muzio to discuss the new policy with coaches to make sure they “get in the habit” of sending student-athletes emails about changes to games and practices as opposed to sending text messages.
“I think that is going to help things,” said Hayman. “I don’t see this getting looser over time. I see this getting a little tighter over time.”
Hayman inquired if high school students who violate the cellphone and electronic device policy for a fourth time should also be required to meet with either Principal Tricia Puglisi or Assistant Principal Mike McLeod in addition to a counselor.
School Committee Chair Kate DePrizio said Puglisi recommended the language for the fourth offense because a student could potentially be addicted to using a device if they are having a difficult time putting it down.
“The goal would be to have (a counselor) involved at that point to help find out why there is an issue,” said DePrizio.
DePrizio said she supported Hayman’s suggestion that the School Committee review the cellphone and electronic device policy annually.
“We want to solicit feedback from our staff as well as our students and our community,” said DePrizio. “We want to hear what is working and what isn’t, and where there is room for improvement for the benefit of all.”
