Cellphone prohibition enforced

WINSTED — Citing a need to crack down on excessive texting among students, The Gilbert School has begun actively enforcing a revised electronic devices policy that bans the use of cellphones during the regular school day.

According to the policy, which was adopted by the high school in May, students may have a cellphone in their possession at school, but are only allowed to use it before classes begin in the morning and after the student’s last class in the afternoon.

“Such devices shall not be used during instructional time or in the [time] passing between classes unless there is a bona fide emergency,†the policy reads.

Students caught using cellphones during the regular school day — without the prior approval of the principal — will have their phones confiscated, and it will then only be returned to the students’ parent or guardian.

In addition, the policy states that repeated violation of the cellphone use rule could result “in confiscation of the device and forfeiture to the district,†as well as additional disciplinary action “up to and including suspension and/or expulsion.â€

An automated telephone message from Gilbert School Principal Dan Hatch was sent to parents last week, alerting them to the revised policy.

Hatch said the policy, which also bans the use of laser pointers and pagers, mirrors changes in the Connecticut state statutes regarding the use of electronic devices in public schools.

While a majority of the school’s students are responsible with their cellphone use during the day, he said a portion of the student body is not.

“Kids are getting sidetracked by texting each other in school,†Hatch said. “We want to create a positive educational atmosphere in the school.â€

Students who are required to maintain a cellphone or pager for medical, family or emergency services related reasons, however, may receive advanced approval from the administration to allow the use of the devices during the school day.

The Gilbert School recently updated, revised and/or added several school policies. To view the school’s policy book, visit the district’s Web site at gilbertschool.org.

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