CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - Katonah-Lewisboro schools opened their doors last week, welcoming fewer students while forbidding smartphones or other gateways to the internet.
The reduced headcount—2,777 students were expected vs. 2,797 a year ago—continued a 15-year decline, which has seen KLSD enrollment drop by almost 1,000 students since 2010. Enrollment figures, contained in a report to the school board late last month, are subject to change as families move into and out of the school district.
John Jay High School’s student population went from 912 a year ago to about 885 streaming through the doors on Sept. 2, the first day of both classes and a state-mandated ban on internet-enabled devices.
Calling them a classroom distraction, the state legislature this past spring told all public schools they must keep smartphones, smart watches, ear buds and similar devices out of students’ hands for the entire school day, a so-called “bell-to-bell” prohibition.
Steven Siciliano, the high school principal, said he was encouraged by students’ first-day reaction to the ban, saying they had “responded splendidly.”
“It was heartening,” he said, “to see students out on the front lawn during lunch, tossing Frisbees and footballs on a beautiful September day, as well as being present in actual discussion with their peers, sans cellphones.”
Educators took steps to explain why phones had to be stored all day in lockers. “In our morning webinar for students on the first day of school,” Siciliano said, “my assistant principals and I reviewed all the ‘whys’ behind the statewide cellphone restrictions in New York schools.”
The prohibition applies to all students: John Jay Middle School, where the headcount has dropped from 630 last year to 616, and KLSD’s three elementary schools, where the population grew, 1,243 to 1,259.
Only Katonah Elementary School showed a decline, going from 405 students to 399. Increase Miller was up, from 479 to 493, as was Meadow Pond, 359 to 367. Unlike the high school and middle school, where phones must be sequestered all day in lockers, elementary schools are asking students who have the forbidden devices to keep them tucked away in their backpacks.
Gov. Kathy Hochul had pressed the legislature in January to create a phone-free school environment, forbidding their use, K-12, in all state public schools.
“I know our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling,” Hochul said at the time, “and that’s why New York continues to lead the nation on protecting our kids in the digital age.”
Her proposal won legislative approval in April and became law in May, forcing school districts to act swiftly to implement the ban.
The blanket prohibition has some exceptions. Allowances will be made, for example, if a student’s Individualized Education Program needs an internet-enabled device or where it’s required by law. KLSD also permits use of the devices in an emergency and a handful of other specific circumstances.
KLSD leadership also took time at the school board’s Aug. 28 meeting to applaud 16 employees for their 25 years of service. They were:
June Bourne, bus attendant; Susan Fowler, secretary to school administrator, Special Education Services; Rolfe Lunde, custodian; Israel Marcos, bus driver; Martin Rojas, bus driver
John Jay High School: Jennifer Cocuzzo, world language; Denise Friedly, special education; Tricia Murphy, social studies; Renee Psihountas, math
John Jay Middle School: David Fritsch, math and science; Jodi Jeran, English
Katonah Elementary School: Craig Jettelson, Lisa Wolken
Meadow Pond Elementary School: Tracy Merritt, Jill Walsh
Increase Miller Elementary School: Colleen Walsh
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