THIS WEEK, VERMONT LAWMAKERS RECEIVED TESTIMONY ON A BILL THAT WOULD BAN CELL PHOS AND SOCIAL MEDIA…in schools. It’s a HOT BUTTON for families and educators. NOT JUST HERE. BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY. one NORTHERN NEW YORK BOARDING SCHOOL HAS ááALWAYS HAD A POLICY in place. they say it works for them. NBC5’S BENNY NEZAJ VISITED THE SCHOOL TODAY AND is live now in OUR PLATTSBURGH STUDIO. Benny? BRIAN AND ALICE, AS VERMONT LAWMAKERS DEBATE WHETHER OR NOT STUDENTS CAN ACCESS PHONES IN SCHOOLS, FOR one school in LAKE PLACID – THE RULE IS NOTHING NEW. (áááCENTER LOGO WIPEááá) (áááVOááá) KATIE IS A 9TH GRADE BOARDING STUDENT AT NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOL – A private boarding school in the Adirondacks where students live and go to school on campus from grades 4 through 9. (áááSOTááá) KATIE / 9TH GRADER, NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOL AND CAMP TREETOPS 15;24;50;05 – 15;25;00;03 “I came here 3 years ago around the COVID year, and this seemed like the better option for me.” (áááVOááá) The teen is LIMITED TO USING HER PHONE 3 TIMES A WEEK FOR 30 MINUTES AT NIGHT. (áááSOTááá) KATIE 9TH GRADER, NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOL AND CAMP TREETOPS 15;24;50;05 – 15;25;00;03 “I think having those 30 minutes to most people would be like ‘everyone wants it.’ Something they all really need. But for us it’s kind of just like, we know how to use it properly.” (áááVOááá) THE private BOARDING SCHOOL WAS ESTABLISHED BACK IN 1938 – and while technology has changed a lot since then – one thing hasn’t. they HAVE A NO CELL PHONE AND SOCIAL MEDIA USE POLICY. Only allowing the oldest students to use phones – on a limited basis. (áááNAT SOUNDááá) (STUDENTS IN DRAMA CLASS) STUDENTS are ALLOWED TO USE COMPUTERS AND CHROME BOOKS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES…. With more digital teaching tools NOW AVAILABLE, SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY THEY NEVER FOUND IT NECESSARY TO USE CELL PHONES… (áááSOTááá) TODD ORMISTON/ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOL AND CAMP TREETOPS 15;08;25;29 – 15;08;41;03 “When the advent of technology came in to be an enhancement to the educational process, of course we added in things like chrome books for students to learn digitally. But we haven’t just found a reason why phones will actually enhance that educational experience.” (áááVOááá) THE SCHOOL ALSO TEACHES WELLNESS COURSES – TEACHING STUDENTS HOW TO PROPERLY USE THEIR PHONES AND SOCIAL MEDIA SCHOOL COUNSELORS SAY THE LIMITED USE OF PHONES IS VERY HELPFUL for the students MENTAL HEALTH (áááSOTááá) ABBY SWINT/ MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOL AND CAMP TREETOPS 15;15;30;20 – 15;15;40;29 “Not having technology, not having cell phones, not having social media definitely relieves the pressure that social media puts on these kiddos.” (áááVOááá) And KATIE SAYS STUDENTS SHOULD focus on things OFF-screens – And ENJOY WHAT SCHOOL HAS TO OFFER … (áááSOTááá) KATIE 9TH GRADER, NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOL AND CAMP TREETOPS 15;23;46;25 – 15;23;59;01 “You’re there for a limited amount of time. And I think it’s valuable to spend time with the people there while you’re there and to get a good learning experience when you can just go home and use your phone afterwards.” NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOL is in session from September to May. And have no plans to change their policy. THE BILL related to cell phone and social media use IS STILL IN VERMONT’S EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND IT’S NOT CLEAR WHEN IT COULD COME BEFORE THE SENATE FOR A VOTE….
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Lake Placid boarding school stands firm on cellphone policy amid Vermont legislative debate
Established in 1938, North Country School has long upheld a strict no cellphone and limited social media policy
Updated: 6:55 PM EST Feb 23, 2024
As Vermont legislators received testimony this week on a proposed bill to ban cellphones and social media in schools, the policy implemented at North Country School, a private boarding institution located in Lake Placid, provides a unique perspective.Established in 1938, North Country School has long upheld a strict no cellphone and limited social media policy. Students like Katie, a ninth-grade student at the school, are allowed only three brief sessions of phone usage per week, totaling 30 minutes each, a restriction she finds conducive to focused learning and interpersonal connection.”I think having those 30 minutes to most people would be like, ‘everyone wants it.’ Something they all really need. But for us, it’s kind of just like, we know how to use it properly,” Katie said.While the school acknowledges the evolution of technology, including the integration of computers and Chromebooks for educational purposes, they have never deemed cell phones necessary for enhancing the educational experience.”When the advent of technology came in to be an enhancement to the educational process, of course we added in things like Chromebooks for students to learn digitally. But we haven’t just found a reason why phones will actually enhance that educational experience,” said Todd Ormiston, the executive director of North Country School.Moreover, North Country School supplements its academic curriculum with wellness courses, teaching students proper phone and social media usage. School counselors emphasize the positive impact of limited phone use on students’ mental health, highlighting the relief from social media pressures.”Not having technology, not having cellphones, not having social media definitely relieves the pressure that social media puts on these kiddos,” said Abby Swint, a mental health counselor at the school.Echoing this sentiment, Katie emphasized the value of spending time with peers and engaging in the school’s offerings without the distraction of screens.”You’re there for a limited amount of time. And I think it’s valuable to spend time with the people there while you’re there and to get a good learning experience when you can just go home and use your phone afterwards,” Katie said.North Country School remains strong in its policy, with no plans to alter it in the foreseeable future. Vermont’s education committee will continue taking testimony on the bill.
As Vermont legislators received testimony this week on a proposed bill to ban cellphones and social media in schools, the policy implemented at North Country School, a private boarding institution located in Lake Placid, provides a unique perspective.
Established in 1938, North Country School has long upheld a strict no cellphone and limited social media policy. Students like Katie, a ninth-grade student at the school, are allowed only three brief sessions of phone usage per week, totaling 30 minutes each, a restriction she finds conducive to focused learning and interpersonal connection.
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“I think having those 30 minutes to most people would be like, ‘everyone wants it.’ Something they all really need. But for us, it’s kind of just like, we know how to use it properly,” Katie said.
While the school acknowledges the evolution of technology, including the integration of computers and Chromebooks for educational purposes, they have never deemed cell phones necessary for enhancing the educational experience.
“When the advent of technology came in to be an enhancement to the educational process, of course we added in things like Chromebooks for students to learn digitally. But we haven’t just found a reason why phones will actually enhance that educational experience,” said Todd Ormiston, the executive director of North Country School.
Moreover, North Country School supplements its academic curriculum with wellness courses, teaching students proper phone and social media usage. School counselors emphasize the positive impact of limited phone use on students’ mental health, highlighting the relief from social media pressures.
“Not having technology, not having cellphones, not having social media definitely relieves the pressure that social media puts on these kiddos,” said Abby Swint, a mental health counselor at the school.
Echoing this sentiment, Katie emphasized the value of spending time with peers and engaging in the school’s offerings without the distraction of screens.
“You’re there for a limited amount of time. And I think it’s valuable to spend time with the people there while you’re there and to get a good learning experience when you can just go home and use your phone afterwards,” Katie said.
North Country School remains strong in its policy, with no plans to alter it in the foreseeable future. Vermont’s education committee will continue taking testimony on the bill.
