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Students present club charters as board hears mixed reports on phone-policy effects
Summary
Students presented charters for a VC Dance Club and a middle-school plant club; student representatives and the superintendent reported mixed outcomes from the new phone policy, with high-school staff noting improved attention while some students say it has been hard to adjust.
At its Sept. 20 meeting, the Valley Central School District Board of Education heard multiple student-led charter presentations and updates from student representatives about how the district's new phone policy is affecting school life.
Profe Montalvo, who said she is the proposed adviser for the VC Dance Club, introduced student speakers who described the club's mission: to "inspire creativity, encourage self expression and celebrate cultural heritage through the art of dance." Student Amelia described planned fundraisers and said costumes and rehearsal supplies would be funded by student-driven activities. When board members asked whether the club would hold tryouts, students responded directly: "There's no tryouts. Everyone is welcome."
Dean Lano, a middle-school art teacher, and student Autumn presented a proposed plant/greening club that aims to grow plants, collaborate with local growers and develop pollinator gardens on campus. Lano said the group has about 10 interested students and plans to connect with regional partners.
Student representatives summarized the first weeks under the district's phone procedures: some teachers report better attention and smoother discussions in class, while other students said adjusting has been difficult and that students sometimes turn to Chromebooks or feel bored during free periods. The superintendent reported enforcement figures to trustees: "At the high school, there were 114 cases of warnings... 35 incidents where the student's phone was confiscated and the student was allowed to pick it up in the afternoon, and there were 10 incidents where a parent had to come and pick it up." She added that middle-school and elementary warnings were much lower.
Board members and students discussed outreach ideas to encourage club participation (flyers, presentations during lunch or study halls) and agreed to accommodate student presenters earlier in the meeting so students could leave on time. No formal votes were taken on the club charters at this meeting; club charters were presented for consideration and the board indicated next steps would follow through normal charter-approval procedures.
