'It's A Real Addiction': Full-Day Phone-Free Pilot Program Kicks Off At Ridge High School

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Ridge High School is going phone-free all day beginning in March in an effort to improve students' well-being.

"I think it is just such a healthier way to develop. You know as a society we unleash this unvetted experiment on all of our kids with algorithms and social media and the power of the universe right in your hand here, you just can't put it down. Is it going to be easy? No. Are there going to be honor code violations among students that are going to have to be disciplined? Yes," said Board member Keith Molinari.

"I think this is one of the biggest moves we can make for our students' wellbeing, for academic focus, for social development, for how they get along in society as a whole," continued Molinari. "I'm 100 percent for it and I hope the pilot is successful."

The Board of Education announced at its Jan. 27 meeting that its phone-free pilot program will kick off on March 1.

Ridge High School Principal Dr. Russell Lazovick created a sheet addressing many of the questions students, parents, or staff may have in regard to the new Pilot — such as how do I get in touch with my student? What happens if there is an emergency? Etc.

"[Lazovick] recognizes it will be a struggle. Everybody is attached to their phones, we are as well. It is a learning curve for everybody," said Board President Jennifer White.

Additionally, at the end of each week everyone will be given access to a Google Doc form to share their thoughts on how the program is going.

"I think it is apparent when you look at the document how much input that Dr. Lazovick and his team have solicited and they have really tried to be sensitive to some of the bigger issues. I like the fact that students will be able to have their phones in their backpacks that will be accessible if an emergency arises," said Board member Janice Corrado.

Board member Nimish Amin said he had previously voiced a fair amount of concern to the pilot.

"I do agree that we should minimize or we should decrease the amount of phone use in school but I wasn’t sure we should eliminate use," said Amin.

He noted that high school students already have to put their cellphones into a phone hotel eliminating disruptions in class.

"My concerns are in the halls during class time change and at lunch. And I would be very OK with minimizing it as much as possible but still allowing 10 or 15 minutes a day for kids to check texts, emails, whatever is on their phones in a way that is not disruptive and still drastically reduces the use of cell phones," said Amin.

In general Board members agreed the pilot program would definitely be a learning curve for everyone.

White noted that students will still have the ability to communicate, but they just need to learn other ways such as using their district emails and chrome books.

"They are so used to the instant gratification when sending a text and getting a response but the truth is we shouldn’t be texting them in class anyway so this kind of does slow down that process a bit," said White.

Board member Michael Talbot, who is a teacher in East Brunswick, said he already asks his students in homeroom to put away their phones.

"They really are almost addicted to it and they often get very upset but then they wind up talking to each other. And they don’t just stare at their phones the whole entire time. So I think that kids are really going to take some adjustment to get to it but I really think it’s going to be beneficial," said Talbot.

Molinari added that being on cell phones "is a real addiction" and some may feel this the worst day of their life not to have access to it.

"Quitting cigarettes is the worst day of your life too but if we let the pilot run long enough two, three months it gets a little better and gets a little better and gets a little better," said Molinari. "And then it's a new norm."

The Pilot program is part of Bernards Township School District Administration's "Restoring Focus Initiative." To learn more about the district's "Restoring Focus Initiative" click here.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.