 Pittsfield Schools: No 'Friending' StudentsProhibiting staff from friending students on social media aims to maintain professional boundaries and ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone in the schools. Pittsfield Schools See Fewer Cell Phone ViolationsThere were 416 log entries for violations towards the end of September while in September 2023, there were almost 1,000. Pittsfield Schools' New Cell Phone Policy Effective So FarThe revised cell phone policy has shown positive results so far for the Pittsfield Public Schools. Pittsfield Goes Back to School With Tighter Cell Phone PolicyThe School Committee has tightened the district's cell phone regulations but some recognize that it may not be enough. Pittsfield School Committee to Review New Cell Phone RegsThe School Committee will hold a special meeting on Wednesday to consider the appointment of a new special education director and learn about updated cell phone regulations for the district. Subcommittee Mulls Pittsfield Schools' Cell Phone PolicyLast Wednesday evening, the Social and Emotional Learning subcommittee did not decide whether the chicken or the egg came first. Still, it continued the conversation about the district's regulations. Pittsfield Schools May See Tighter Cell Phone PolicySuperintendent Joseph Curtis would like to see the district's cell phone policy tightened up after more than 6,000 violations were accrued during the last school year. Mount Greylock School District Adopts No-Cell Phone PolicyThe Mount Greylock Regional School Committee on Thursday voted to ban cell phones and other "student-owned technology devices" in the district's three schools starting in September.  Mount Greylock Super Asks for Cell Phone BanJason McCandless last Thursday told the committee that his thinking about personal electronic devices in schools has evolved over the last year. North Adams School Committee Takes Slow Roll on Greylock ClosureThe School Committee delayed discussion Tuesday on closing Greylock School until more information could be provided by the administration. Central Berkshire Approves Cell Phone PolicyThe district has also received emails from families thanking the School Committee for supporting cell-phone free schools, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis added.  Hoosac Valley to Lock Up Student PhonesHoosac Valley High School has joined other secondary schools around the county in adopting Yondr pouches. Central Berkshire OKs Locked Cell Phone PouchesThe pouches allow cell phones and other devices to be locked magnetically so they cannot be used during school hours. Pittsfield School Committee Accepts New Cell Phone RegulationsThe district will soon use a tiered cell phone policy that grants more freedom as grades progress. Pittsfield School Administrators Tasked With Cell Phone Intervention PlanOn Wednesday the committee requested that Superintendent Joseph Curtis review the existing policy and bring it back in August with added regulations. Central Berkshire Considers Updating Cell Phone PolicyThe goal of the policy change is to help students be more engaged in school and to prevent students from taking videos of their peers without permission and spreading them around. Pittsfield School Committee Asks for Input on Cell Phone PolicyChair William Cameron called for an accelerated policy review with possible recommendations made at Wednesday's meeting. Pittsfield Educators Push for Stricter Phone PolicyEducators cited issues with excessive phone use disrupting education, social and emotional health, and safety during last Wednesday's School Committee meeting. Chair William Cameron agreed that it is an urgent issue and is placing it on the next meeting agenda. |
