City School officials in Batavia City, Genesee County in Western NY have updated their code of conduct for the coming school year. The updates were said to go with the tide and with the time. Times that passed certainly brought many innovations that children could be exposed to; such as electronic cigarettes. Changes in the school code of conduct were done to accommodate recent technologies that might affect students’ academic performance, health and welfare.
More Than Hallway Noises And Academics
Indeed, the responsibility of educators extends from mere academics. Playing the role as second parents to children, the school officials of Batavia feel they have the obligation to instill discipline and moral values to their students. While teaching per se is something that these educators were trained to do; nowadays, there are a lot of challenges that teachers need to overcome so they can ensure that students are getting the best education and character molding from their schools. After all, students spend most of their times in school, rather than at home.
These hurdles that teachers must be prepared to deal with include new technologies and innovations like smart and android phones, computer tablets and electronic cigarettes. Thus, Batavia school officials took the initiative to adjust their student handbook so that the code of conduct could include how these technologies are to be handled or dealt with while children are in school.
Scott Wilson, a High School principal, noted during the board meeting that the student manual’s electronic section now involves stricter regulations, yet the officials have decided to be a little bit open to the use of electronic gadgets that can help educators in performing their duties as teachers. For example, teachers are allowed to use modern devices like computers and projectors to better teach students. There were revised codes specifically for high school and middle school students that were approved by the board.
For High School, the new rule on electronic gadgets is that these devices shall be permitted to be used in school premises. Students can also use their electronics to pass time between classes according to their teachers’ and staff’s discretion. Thus, it is the teachers’ responsibility to outline their policies and expectations on how students must use the gadgets in their syllabus, said Principal Wilson. If the staff directed students to surrender their devices, students need to obey.
Bullying Concerns Raised
During the meeting, the president of the board, Patrick Burk, raised the question if all the staff can rightfully ask that device be surrendered. This is because he has known about an incident involving substantial bullying by a member of the food service staff, who was known to ask students about their phones. Burk has no problems on electronics; it is just that he thinks this will escalate the already appalling bullying that is presently happening.
Necessity To Learn Electronics Etiquette
Gretchen Difante, a board member also likes to see that students are provided with better coaching on the etiquette of using electronic gadgets. She said that children should know how to appropriately use these modern technologies while they are in school grounds. The earlier that the school system can become a part of this education, the better, she said.
The Assistant principal, Jeff McKinney said that DiFante’s raised concern was already tackled by the committee on code. According to him, there were a lot of conversations about this issue. There were even different added changes like pursuing criminal charges and involvement of law enforcement as probable punishment on disciplinary crisis; students who committed first offense with tobacco, electronic cigarettes, drugs and alcohol would need to be counseled. Electronic cigarettes, apparently, were added as prohibited paraphernalia for smoking.
According to McKinney, electronic cigarettes do not produce smoke, only vapor or mist, but using them inside school campuses is still not appropriate.
For Middle School rules, principals Julia Rogers and Sandy Griffin both presented certain regulatory changes for Grades 5-8. According to them, Teens must wear clothes in school that will cover chest and stomach areas. Skirts and shorts would be allowed, but must provide decent coverage for the buttocks. They must also not be overly tight or excessively short.
Electronic and school apparel were not the only changes made in the student manual. The school officials also discussed the number of students to sit or occupy dining tales. Long tables should only sit up to 12 students; while round tables, up to 7 students. These dining tables are popular gathering areas for students.
The two principals also noted the draw for light switches. In the student manual section for no tampering, light switches are included along with fire alarms, fire extinguishers and other electrical systems of the school.
Suspended students cannot attend any event in school or be on any school property during the suspension. These prohibited locations include Dwyer Stadium, Van Detta Stadium, Genessee Community College, Falleti Ice Arena and Richmond Memorial Library. Other matters concerning student behaviors were included in the manual modifications that were brought about by reported incidents in school grounds and even in school buses.
