Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • February 20, 2013 Midland Park Policy change to allow electronic devices in school Possession of communications and recording devices (ECRD) on school property by Midland Park public school students will now be officially allowed under a policy change being considered by the board of education. Public comment and vote on the new guidelines is expected at the board’s Feb. 26 meeting. The proposed policy, which had last been updated in Jan. 2011, states that students may have electronic devices in their possession but they must be turned off, or set to vibrate/silent, and kept out of sight during class time. At no time may electronic devises be used in restrooms or locker rooms. Students may use electronic devices appropriately before school, after school, during study halls and at lunch time in the cafeteria. “These changes are addressing reality,” commented trustee Tim Thomas, who heads the policy committee. Another board member noted that the existing policy is unenforceable unless the students are searched. The current policy prohibits students from turning on or using ECRDs at any time during the school day or while participating in school-sponsored activities except in an emergency. Talking on an electronic device would be prohibited during the school day and during the administration of NJ Ask, HSPA, NJ Pass, AP Exams or any other state mandated or in-district student assessments unless specifically allowed by law, student IEP, or administrative directions. The use of the audio recording or camera functions of electronic devices would be strictly prohibited on school premises at all times to protect personal privacy, avoid exploitation or compromise the integrity of the educational programs. Prohibition may be relaxed with prior approval of the administration, if the use is specifically required to implement a student’s current and valid IEP; the use is at the direction of a teacher for educational purposes, or the use is determined by the administration to be necessary for other special circumstances, health-related reasons, or emergency. Violation of the policy could result in parent notification and discipline up to and Nancy Rosin of Franklin Lakes shared her collection of Valentine’s ephemera at a joint meeting of the Midland Park and Waldwick branches of the Valley Hospital Auxiliary, tracing the holiday’s evolution from 1493 through the creations of Esther Howland, acknowledged as the mother of the American Valentine, to today. Rosin displayed scores of samples from her collection of more than 10,000 items, which run the gamut from birth, friendship, love and marriage to mourning, gathered over 40 years. Pictured with Rosin, center, admiring a traditional piece, are Midland Park Auxiliary members Meme Terpstra and Magda Karpati. Back in time including detentions, suspension or expulsion, and notification of law enforcement authorities. Immediate action would include confiscation of the device and return of the device at the end of the school day for the first offense; and required parent retrieval of the confiscated device for the second offense. A third offense would result in confiscation of the device, loss of privilege to have the electronic devices at school and a mandatory parent meeting to retrieve the device and review disciplinary action. Refusal to turn over an electronic device would be deemed as insubordination. The proposed policy also provides that a pupil who is an active member in good standing of a volunteer fire company, first aid, ambulance or rescue squad may bring or possess a remotely-activated paging device on school property if the pupil is required to respond to an emergency and if he provides a letter from his superior authorizing the possession of the device by the pupil at all times and that the pupil is required to respond to an emergency. The proposed policy governs the possession and use of electronic devices on school premises, during school hours, at school sponsored activities on and off school grounds, and on school transportation. It would apply on any land, portions of land, structures, buildings, and structures that support these buildings, including, but not limited to, administrative buildings, kitchens, maintenance shops, and garages. It also would apply on playgrounds, and other recreational places owned by the local municipalities, private entities, or other individuals during those times when the school district has exclusive use of a portion of such land. An electronic device is defined in the policy as a privately owned wireless and/or portable electronic handheld equipment.