A growing body of research suggests that smartphones, social media and messaging apps are fueling the adolescent mental health crisis. In response, New York introduced legislation prohibiting the use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day.

Bethlehem Central School District has already implemented a smartphone-free policy. In this episode, we’ll hear their story and learn how board members can develop and adopt a successful policy in their district.

Host:
Jamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA

Guests:
Jody Monroe, Superintendent, Bethlehem Central School District
Holly M. Dellenbaugh, Board President Bethlehem Central School District

Resources for this episode were provided by the Bethlehem Central School District.

Bethlehem CSD BOE Presentations:
• Yondr, 3/15/23: https://www.nyssba.org/clientuploads/nyssba_pdf/presidents-gavel-podcast/03242025/yondr-03152023-03242025.pdf
• Yondr Update, 5/3/23: https://bit.ly/4hGkn02
• Yondr Student Assemblies: https://bit.ly/4iHXA5u

Bethlehem CSD Policy 5310 Mobile Devices in Grades K-12: https://bit.ly/4j022MA

Bethlehem CSD Mobile Phone Exemption Request: https://bit.ly/4hFSntp

Bethlehem CSD How’s It Going Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_lRIIC6tgg

Articles:
• 2017-cognitive-load-theory-practice-guide: https://bit.ly/4kVzUMj
• 2018_Book_TechnologyAndAdolescentMentalHealth: https://bit.ly/41XLJck
• Phones at School Are a Disaster - The Atlantic: https://bit.ly/4iEOpTa
• Schools are banning cellphones as students are more distracted than ever - The Washington Post: https://bit.ly/42k0xCj
• surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory: https://bit.ly/4iPCDVM

Have a question or a topic idea? We want to hear from you! Email us at ld@nyssba.org.

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