Rensselaer schools restricting phone use for students

As the new school years begins, the Rensselaer City School District is adopting a new policy for students and smartphones in school.

The Rensselaer City School District welcomed back its more than 1,100 students on Tuesday.

Many are hoping this first day of school will resemble what they remember as normal. Masks and social distancing are no longer required, but Superintendent Joe Kardash says COVID-19 has changed what’s normal.

That includes a student’s attachment to smartphones.

“The addiction students have to their phones is negatively impacting their social-emotional resiliency. It’s strong, it’s difficult, and we need to break it.”

Rensselaer City Schools Superintendent Joe Kardash

“I’’m going to tell you, COVID fundamentally changed that. The addiction students have to their phones is negatively impacting their social-emotional resiliency. It’s strong, it’s difficult, and we need to break it,” Kardash said.

So even though Kardash says he’s never liked the idea of banning phones, they are no longer allowed in the classroom.

“I’m hoping that we can get past that addiction and get back to teaching how to use them responsibly,” he said.

Students will still be able to bring phones to school. However, once they’re in the classroom, they’ll have to leave their phone at the front of the classroom with the teacher.