Text message a teenager during school hours and you’re likely to get a response before the last bell sounds.

That being the case, Old Rochester Regional High School has made it official – piloting a new policy that allows students to use their phones during school hours.

“The policy that is in the student handbook requires students to turn their phones off during hours 7:30 a.m. to 2:05 p.m., but it’s really hard to manage that,” said Principal Mike Devoll. “Many students and adults live out of their phones.”

What to do about the pervasive use of cell phones at school has been a topic of discussion in many staff meetings, said Devoll.

“We talk about this ad nauseam,” he said. “We’re done talking about it, lets give it a try. See if kids can handle it.”

Devoll sent out a notice to parents and students on January 1, and said the response was mostly positive. And, so far, no one has texted their way to detention.

“There is an educational value of cell phones in the classroom,” said Devoll. “If I’m in a meeting and we start planning events, I’m grabbing my phone. I think the students can find it of the same value.”

Devoll said phones can enhance a student’s learning, such as being able to take a photo of a difficult math problem on the board. But, he added, cell phone use is left to each teacher’s discretion.

Students are allowed to use their phones for social purposes during lunch.

The principal is meeting with teachers and members of the student council regularly to get feedback on the pilot.

While some parents have been concerned that phones might be a distraction, Devoll said, “My response is it was already a distraction.”

He also said the new policy isn’t meant to shame kids who don’t have a fancy smart phone.

“This is not a plea for families to go out and get their kids the best cell phone,” said Devoll. But, more technology in the classroom is coming, he said.

“I don’t think we’re too far away from a period where everyone is carrying an iPad.”