Dear Parents/Guardians,
The use of cell phones amongst students at Thirteenth Avenue School has been problematic. The district has a strict policy against the use of any devices having picture and/or video capabilities. Many of the phones students bring to school are fully equipped with internet access, the ability to record, and take pictures. Students have been using their phones inappropriately during the school day. Instead of engaging in classroom instruction, they are: posting pictures, videos, and making comments on social media.
As a school, we encourage parents/guardians to maintain access to their child(ren) social media activities and to make an effort to explain safe and appropriate interactions on social media. Unfortunately, not all of our students adhere to appropriateness in their posts. We cannot regulate students’ activities at home or outside of the school building, but we must take significant action to prevent students from engaging in these actions while in school.
As a result, we are implementing a new cell phone policy and procedure in our school. We will no longer tolerate the use of cellphones during the school day. We require that all phones remain turned off and put away at all times during the school day. Any student caught with a phone will have that phone confiscated. Please see the steps for consequences below.
If you are concerned about your child’s phone and you do not want it collected or confiscated, please make sure your child leaves their phone at home. Any student who needs to communicate with a parent during the school day is more than able to use the phone in the main office.
We appreciate your assistance in helping us keep our students safe and maintain a productive, positive and socially appropriate learning environment.
THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE THE FOLLOWING:
1st offense:
- Cell phone held until the end of the next day.
- Student will sign for the cell phone in the office.
2nd offense:
- Cell phone held until the end of the next day.
- A parent or guardian will need to sign for the cell phone at the end of the next day.
3rd offense:
- Cell phone held until the end of the next day/student will be assigned a detention.
- A parent or guardian will sign for the cell phone after a meeting with the student and an administrator.