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Parent asks Chicopee School Committee to allow elementary 'Gizmo' SOS watch in school
Summary
A Chicopee parent asked the committee to revisit the district’s electronic‑device policy so her elementary child can wear a Verizon 'Gizmo' watch in 'school mode' because it includes an SOS button. The parent offered to sign a waiver; staff told the committee the matter had been referred to administration and policy review.
Jennifer Goonan, who identified herself as a Chicopee resident with two daughters in the district, addressed the committee during public input and asked that the district allow an elementary student to wear a Verizon 'Gizmo' watch while in school in 'school mode.'
"I bought this watch so she could wear it. It's called the Gizmo under Verizon, and it has something that's called school mode," Goonan said. She said the device limits access to features in school mode but includes an SOS button she believes she could use to be notified in an emergency. "That SOS button ... would give me time to get to the school to know that my child is safe," she said.
Goonan said school staff told her the watch must be removed because a parent can turn off school mode from a phone. She told the committee she would sign any district waiver or agreement indicating she would not deactivate school mode and that other parents she had spoken with would do the same. The chair reminded the speaker that public input allows comments but not a back‑and‑forth Q&A; staff review and policy referrals were suggested as the next step.
No committee vote or policy change occurred at the meeting; the comment was entered into the public record and referred to administration for review of the applicable electronic‑device policy and possible options (parent agreements, clarified wording, or an administrative procedure).
