New York School for the Deaf Puts The Phones Away
White Plains, NY October 2024 - This year, the ringing you might hear at New York School for the Deaf isn’t going to be a cell phone. In fact, with the support of teachers, the Teachers’ Union, and the Superintendent, the School is instituting a building-wide phone ban for middle and high school students during the school day.
“We need to work as a team to better support the students, and solve the root problem,” stated Stefanie Stamatis, Algebra teacher in the High School program. While teachers have individually tried a variety of approaches to manage cell phone use in the classroom, these approaches have largely been unsuccessful. “They have used everything from the plastic behind-the-door shoe holder approach, to simply saying “no”. It hasn’t been successful,” stated Dr. Joseph Santini, Superintendent. “During COVID, students became very attached to their screens. At New York School for the Deaf, we are helping Deaf youth become engaged and involved American citizens. With this in mind, we’re trying to get them out from behind the phones and help them become better engaged with the classroom and with the world - and each other.” “That was a skill lost during the COVID pandemic” added Chief Financial Officer, Anthony Di Giovanni.
In the beginning of the year, teachers spoke up, especially second-year teacher Taylor Friedman. “Our students have a lot to learn, and the phones distract from their ability to give new topics their full attention. Teaching students to manage their phone use is going to help them become successful in the future.”
The policy is simple but clear: students leave their phones in their lockers throughout the day. If teachers or staff permit, students can access their phones for specific activities. If parents need to contact their children, they reach out to the main office, and their child will report to the office for the conversation. The school’s Wifi network already blocks social media sites.
Seven states in the United States currently have school-wide phone bans, and the Surgeon General has suggested that social media providers should put warning signs in their service agreement stating that their programs are linked to the development of poor mental health.
Cyberbullying through social media is reported by 90% of schools, and studies show young people who spend too much time on social media risk developing mental health issues. The US Department of Education has shown that excessive phone time impacts the cognitive capacity of students and adults. “When we see students put their phones away, when we do that ourselves as adults, we give the grace of space so that we can think for ourselves” stated Dr. Santini. “Social media can be a constant bombardment when what we need is a moment of reflection.”
This change in school policy comes at the same time Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, and the State of New York, are investigating cell phone bans in schools due to the impact of social media on young people and their learning and safety.
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New York School for the Deaf, located in White Plains, has served Deaf and hard of hearing children and their families since 1817. The School has open enrollment, serves infants to 12th grade, and can be reached for more information at [email protected].
“We need to work as a team to better support the students, and solve the root problem,” stated Stefanie Stamatis, Algebra teacher in the High School program. While teachers have individually tried a variety of approaches to manage cell phone use in the classroom, these approaches have largely been unsuccessful. “They have used everything from the plastic behind-the-door shoe holder approach, to simply saying “no”. It hasn’t been successful,” stated Dr. Joseph Santini, Superintendent. “During COVID, students became very attached to their screens. At New York School for the Deaf, we are helping Deaf youth become engaged and involved American citizens. With this in mind, we’re trying to get them out from behind the phones and help them become better engaged with the classroom and with the world - and each other.” “That was a skill lost during the COVID pandemic” added Chief Financial Officer, Anthony Di Giovanni.
In the beginning of the year, teachers spoke up, especially second-year teacher Taylor Friedman. “Our students have a lot to learn, and the phones distract from their ability to give new topics their full attention. Teaching students to manage their phone use is going to help them become successful in the future.”
The policy is simple but clear: students leave their phones in their lockers throughout the day. If teachers or staff permit, students can access their phones for specific activities. If parents need to contact their children, they reach out to the main office, and their child will report to the office for the conversation. The school’s Wifi network already blocks social media sites.
Seven states in the United States currently have school-wide phone bans, and the Surgeon General has suggested that social media providers should put warning signs in their service agreement stating that their programs are linked to the development of poor mental health.
Cyberbullying through social media is reported by 90% of schools, and studies show young people who spend too much time on social media risk developing mental health issues. The US Department of Education has shown that excessive phone time impacts the cognitive capacity of students and adults. “When we see students put their phones away, when we do that ourselves as adults, we give the grace of space so that we can think for ourselves” stated Dr. Santini. “Social media can be a constant bombardment when what we need is a moment of reflection.”
This change in school policy comes at the same time Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, and the State of New York, are investigating cell phone bans in schools due to the impact of social media on young people and their learning and safety.
###
New York School for the Deaf, located in White Plains, has served Deaf and hard of hearing children and their families since 1817. The School has open enrollment, serves infants to 12th grade, and can be reached for more information at [email protected].