Cell Phone/Electronic Device Plan

Dear Students and Parents/Caregivers,

You are receiving this letter to inform you about our school’s student cell phone/personal device plan and procedures for the 2024-2025 school year. Cellphones have become a way of life, a technological convenience that has impacted all of us in many ways. However, in the school environment, cell phones and other personal devices can be a distraction, an interruption, and occasionally, a tool to exchange inappropriate information.

It is our desire to take a more comprehensive approach to develop an electronic device (ex. cell phones, earbuds, etc…) procedures, supported by policy, in order to create a more focused learning environment while addressing the legitimate needs of stakeholders. Our "why," shared in detail in a previous August 2nd Raider Update, includes four main focus areas.

1. Improve Academic Performance
2. Enhance Mental Health
3. Create a Better Classroom Environment
4. Support Effective Teaching

Beginning on the first day and throughout the first weeks of the school, teachers and staff will be teaching the expected behaviors for cell phones/electronic devices at NHS. The new policy, pending board approval, and procedures will help us create a more positive environment where uninterrupted learning can take place.

We believe the new procedures will allow our students to be more engaged in classroom activities,

and conversely, less likely to be distracted by non-school activities. It will allow teachers to focus on lessons, instead of cell phone distractions in the classroom. As more research around the impacts of cell phone use on young people is being published, we understand that excessive use can lead to increased mental health challenges for adolescents. Protecting and supporting the mental health of our students is a high priority, therefore, we believe limiting cell phone use during class time will assist us support positive outcomes for students. We recognize that cell phones are a safety and security tool for parents and students to stay connected. Consequently, we have developed a commonsense approach that is designed with stakeholder feedback in mind.

One significant change we are requesting is that parents/caregivers utilize the school phone number (507-645-3473) to relay any messages that may be urgent in nature for your student, rather than call or text students on their cell phones during class time. The office will relay the message to students in a prompt manner. Additionally, students will have access to their phones before/after school, during passing time, FLEX time, and study halls where they can receive and respond to messages. Please note that students not making academic progress may have restrictions place on cellphone use during study halls. We appreciate the support of parents/caregivers as implement the new procedures.

If a student is found using a cell phone during instructional time/classroom hours without approval, the NHS cell phone/device procedures will will be utilized to maintain a focus instructional and learning environment. Parents or guardians will be contacted beginning with the second infraction in a given classroom.

The documents below explain our cell phone procedures, supported by district policy, in more depth. Please review this letter and the following information with your child prior to the start of school. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for your child. If you have any questions regarding our cell phone/personal device policy and procedures, please do not hesitate to contact me at sbaier@northfieldschools.org.

Sincerely,

Shane Baier

NHS Principal

A. Stoplight Graphic with descriptions for each color of the stoplight.

B. Stoplight definitions explained in greater detail.

C. Cellphone/Electronic Device Procedures; progressive consequences and teacher/staff instructions.

D. Non-Academic Use of School Issue Devices Procedures; progressive consequences and teacher/staff instructions.

E. Key examples to help students and families know how to show up successfully in the new cellphone/electronic device plan.

F. Comprehensive Communication Plan to Support Successful Implementation

Key examples to help students and families know how to show up in the plan.

• Away for the Day Website
• AASA Article: A Mind Shift Over Cellphones in Schools
• Book Study: The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt
• United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health - PDF.