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Students adapt to phone policy Some, however, try to skirt device ban they’re no longer looking at their phones.” At Uniondale High, students As the school cellphone ban are required to place their took effect in Uniondale last phones in Yondr pouches — month, many students thought soft, reusable cases with magit would be the end of the netic locks — when they enter world. But according to PTA the building. The pouches must Council President Yasodra be shown to staff member to Romrookum, the transition has confirm that they are sealed. Students typicalgone more smoothly ly store the pouches than expected — and in their lockers dureven brought some ing the school day. benefits. At dismissal, they “I’ve been hearunlock the pouches ing some positive by placing them on things from social magnetic bases workers, saying that located throughout students are more the school. engaged and they’re Student Board of more focused,” RomEducation member rookum said. Valentina Goris conGov. Kathy firmed DarrisawHochul implementVAlEnTInA Akil’s observations, ed the policy, after GORIS saying the cafeteria saying in her Januis louder than it used ary State of the State address that social media was to be — a sign that of more harming students’ mental face-to-face interactions. And the impact of the policy health and distracting them is being felt beyond the cafetefrom learning. At a Sept. 9 Board of Educa- ria. Over the summer, particition meeting, district Superin- pants in the district’s STEAM tendent Monique Darrisaw- camp, “Irrigate, Innovate, Akil said that students are now Restore!” created a “smart” c o m m u n i c a t i n g w i t h o n e garden in the high school another. “We’re getting reports courtyard, which can only be of laughter and talking in the accessed from within the buildcafeterias and the hallways,” ing. Technology teacher Jack Darrisaw-Akil said, “because
By STACY DRIKS
sdriks@liherald.com
Photo Credit/Herald
Prevention Week theme was ‘Charge into Fire Safety’ October is Fire Prevention Awareness Month, and families explored fire trucks and were offered lifesaving tips at the John J. Byrne Community Center during the Uniondale Fire Department’s annual Fire Prevention Open House last Saturday. The event, concluding National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 5-11, featured giveaways, food and lifesaving lessons. Firefighters spoke with residents about escape planning and home safety. The open house was intended to build trust with the community while teaching lifesaving lessons. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme was “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” Story, more photos, Page 10.
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