As we continue our commitment to ensuring every student receives an exceptional PreK-12 experience and graduates with a strong competitive advantage, we want to share important information about our approach to cell phones and personal devices in our schools.
Why This Matters: Protecting Learning Time
We know that as parents and caregivers, you’re navigating the same questions we are: How do we help students develop a healthy relationship with technology while ensuring they can focus on learning during school hours? Research consistently shows that when students have access to their personal devices during instructional time, it can significantly inhibit their ability to engage deeply with lessons, collaborate effectively with peers, and develop the sustained attention skills essential for academic success.
It’s important to distinguish between different types of screen time. While we embrace technology as a powerful learning tool—using iPads for interactive lessons, computers for research projects, and educational apps that enhance understanding—personal device usage often involves social media, games, and messaging that can fragment a student’s attention and disrupt the learning environment for everyone.
Our Approach: Clear Expectations, Consistent Support
To create the focused, engaging classrooms our students deserve, we’ve established clear guidelines for cell phone and personal device use:
During School Hours:
- Phones should remain off or on silent mode
- Devices must be kept out of sight during class time (in backpacks, lockers, or a teacher-provided cell phone holder) unless a teacher specifically requests their use for learning
- Students may use phones during designated breaks like lunch or recess, following individual school guidelines
- Emergency use is permitted with staff approval
What’s Not Permitted:
- Photography, video, or audio recording without explicit teacher or administrator permission
- Texting, calling, or social media use during class time
- Any use that disrupts learning or violates student privacy
These expectations apply to all personal devices, including smartwatches and other wearables.
Supporting Students Through Clear Consequences
We believe in teaching responsibility through clear, progressive consequences that help students learn from their choices:
For Elementary Students: We partner closely with families from the first incident, ensuring parents are informed and involved in helping their child understand expectations.
For Secondary Students: We start with reminders and short-term consequences, escalating only when students need additional support to meet expectations.
In all cases, our goal is education and growth, not punishment. We want students to develop self-regulation skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Why We’re Asking for Your Partnership
Your support at home makes all the difference. When families and schools work together to establish consistent expectations about technology use, students are more successful. Here are ways you can partner with us:
- Have conversations at home about appropriate times and places for device use
- Support our school expectations by reinforcing them in family discussions
- Reach out with questions or concerns—we’re here to work with you
Our Shared Goal: Preparing Students for Success
In our classrooms, students regularly engage with technology for research, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. These are the digital literacy skills that will serve them in college, careers, and life. By creating focused learning environments during school hours, we’re helping students develop the concentration, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills they need to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
We understand that every family situation and values related to cell phone usage is unique, and we’re committed to working with you to address any concerns or special circumstances. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, school administrator, or our district office if you have questions about our expectations or how they affect your student.
Thank you for your partnership in creating exceptional learning experiences for all our students. Together, we’re helping them develop the skills, knowledge, and habits that will serve them for a lifetime.
