An email from Assistant Principal John Puccio to all students addressed cell phone use by Pascack Valley freshman and sophomores during class.

The email, sent on Monday, Feb. 26, said, “We would like to remind you that cell phones must be turned off during class time and that it is against school policy to video or audio record any student(s) or staff member(s) for any purpose without consent.”

This has been an ongoing issue since the beginning of this school year, according to Puccio.

“Some of our freshmen and sophomore students are not making great decisions with their phones,” Puccio said. “[Some] are using them during instruction and they’re recording things in class. That’s why [the email was sent].”

Puccio said students and teachers both reported the cell phone use in class.

“There were reports from students saying ‘this is not cool’ and from teachers that said that it was more of a challenge to teach when kids have their phones out, texting somebody, or listening to music,” he said.

The email cites a policy in the Student Handbook that declares, “Cell phones must be turned off during class time. Unauthorized use of cell phones could lead to disciplinary action. Any student who needs to make an emergency phone call may use the phone in the General Office. Cell phones will be confiscated if misused and will be returned only to a parent.”

The punishment for students using their phones in class depends on past disciplinary history, with or without cell phone use.

“It is tough to say if the consequence is going to be from detentions to in-school suspensions,” Puccio said. “One guarantee is that the student’s parents will be notified and the phone will be confiscated.”

Although consequences can still apply to juniors and seniors who do not abide by the handbook, it is less of a problem among those two grades.

“For juniors and seniors, if something happens if their phone is out or if a teacher asks them to put it away, it’s away,” Puccio said. “With our underclassmen, it is more of an issue. Not listening is when it becomes a problem.”

Puccio hopes that the email will remind students to keep their phones away during class time.

“The kids at PV understand that phones should not be used. Unfortunately, some people are being immature about it and not getting it,” Puccio said.

The cell phone service at PV is limited, which prevents many students from being able to text others or have any access to social media during school hours. Puccio said the reason for the bad service is because of the location of the school, but that “it works to our [Pascack Valley’s] advantage.”