Bobcat Blitz
Whiteford MS/HS Weekly Newsletter 3/30 - 4/10
Online Safety - www.ProtectMIChild.com
Michigan families, especially minors, are becoming inundated with advertisements from alcohol, tobacco, pornography, illegal drugs and gambling marketers through different internet and cell phone inboxes. The State of Michigan offers a free program to stop adult advertisements from reaching e-mails, text messages, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Discord, TikTok, Twitch and Twitter. The Michigan Child Protection Registry, is a free do-not-contact service for Michigan’s families and can be located at www.ProtectMIChild.com.
If interested, please do sign your entire family up for the Registry and inform your friends and colleagues about how they can protect children and families from unwanted adult advertising. To sign up only takes seconds. Just go to www.ProtectMIChild.com and keep your family safe.
The site also contains a safety guide for teachers/parents detailing important safeguards for various social media platforms.
Post-Graduation Informational Packet
It's never too early to begin planning for the future! Per Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 380.1293, school districts are required to provide pupils in grades 8-12 with this Post-Graduation Opportunities Informational Packet. The site helps students and parents learn more about Colleges/Financial Aid, entering the workforce after graduation, and entering the military.
Updated Cell Phone Policy
A student may possess a wireless communication device or other electronic communication devices and electronic storage devices (ESDs) in school, on school property, at after school activities, and at school related functions provided that during school hours, school events, and on a school vehicle its use is not disruptive or distracting to the educational process, the scheduled activity, or other participants. Possession of WCDs, ECDs, and ESDs on school property remains the sole responsibility of the owner. The school is not liable for damage, loss, or theft of the device.
During the school day, the following guidelines will be established and followed:
Middle school students (grades 5-8) are prohibited from using cell phones and other personal devices during classes or passing times. These items should be in student lockers. Middle school students may use devices before school, after school, or during lunch only.
High school students are prohibited from using cell phones and other personal devices during classes. Students may store their device in their locker during class, or they must store it in a designated spot in the classroom during class. If the device is present in the classroom, the student is prohibited from using the device unless given express and direct consent from the teacher, dean, principal, or other school personnel. Should the student possess the device in the classroom when not given express permission (with device NOT located in the designated location) the teacher/principal/dean of students has the right to enact discipline based on this policy. Should students refuse to keep wireless devices in designated areas, they will be found in violation of this policy and subject to discipline. High school students may use devices during passing times, before school, after school, or during lunch, but not in the hallway during a scheduled class period.
For all students in grades 5-12, smart watches may be worn throughout the day. However, texting/social media/recording functions performed on smart watches fall under the cell phone policy listed above, and violations (including those based on reasonable suspicion) of said policy will result in discipline. Administration has the discretion to prohibit smart watches for students/classes who consistently violate this policy.
Air Pods, headphones, or other wired/wireless listening devices are prohibited in hallways and classrooms unless given express and direct consent from the teacher, dean, assistant principal, principal, or other school personnel.
Students who need to communicate with parents in regards to matters of illness, safety, transportation, etc., should communicate through the school office so administration is aware of any visitors to the building, medications, or potential illnesses/safety concerns.
Except as authorized under Board policy, use of WCDs and electronic storage devices in school, on school property, at after school activities and at school-related functions will be subject to disciplinary action.
Reasonable suspicion that a communication device has been used to violate District policies or administrative guidelines shall be subject to disciplinary action and may result in the communication device being confiscated.
The school prohibits the use of any video device from any restroom, locker room or other location where students and staff “have a reasonable expectation of privacy.” A student improperly using any device to take or transmit images will face disciplinary action up to and including suspension, loss of privileges, and may be recommended for expulsion.
“Sexting” is prohibited at any time on school property or at school functions. Sexting is the electronic transmission of sexual messages or pictures, usually through cell phone text messaging. Such conduct not only is potentially dangerous for the involved students, but can lead to unwanted exposure of the messages and images to others, and could result in criminal violations related to the transmission or possession of child pornography. Such conduct will be subject to discipline and possible confiscation of the WCD.
Taking or transmitting images or messages during testing is also prohibited. If a student is caught transmitting images or messages during testing, s/he will fail the exam and receive an alternate assignment or be suspended. S/He also faces automatic withdrawal from the class depending on the severity of the incident. Loss of privileges is an accompanying penalty, and expulsion is a possibility, even on the first offense.
WCD Discipline Protocol
First offense - Device is confiscated by school personnel. The administrator will return the phone or device in question at the end of the day. The parents will be informed. The phone or device may be prohibited from school for a period of at least two weeks, and may be prohibited for the remainder of the semester/school year, depending on the nature of offense. The infraction will be documented.
Second offense - The device is confiscated by school personnel and delivered to the office. The parents will be informed and the student will be assigned a detention, restorative action, or other disciplinary action will occur. The phone or device will be returned at the end of the school day; the phone or device will be prohibited from school for a period of one-to-two weeks and may be prohibited for the remainder of the semester/school year, depending on the nature of offense. The infraction will be documented.
Third and successive offenses - The device is confiscated by school personnel and delivered to the office. The parents will be informed and the student may be subject to a one-day in school or out-of-school suspension. The phone or device in question will not be returned until a parent comes in to pick it up. The phone or device will be prohibited from school for a period of at least two weeks, and may be prohibited for the remainder of the semester/school year, depending on the number and nature of previous offenses. The infraction will be documented.
Reasonable suspicion that a communication device has been used to violate District policies or administrative guidelines shall be subject to disciplinary action and may result in the communication device being confiscated.
