New SMHS Cell Phone Protocols

To the Parents/Guardians of SMHS Community:

Cell phones present one of the greatest challenges in education right now. When students are using their cell phones during the school day, they are distracted from the instruction happening in their classes. This causes students to fall behind academically. And, in some cases, leads to disciplinary issues. For years, educators have been working to deal with the challenges presented by cell phones. Issuing a Chromebook to each SMHS student has helped by providing all students with internet access for school use. As cell phones continue to be an issue, we are updating our cell phone protocols for the 2023-2024 school year.

We are happy to announce that SMHS is one of the recipients of an ”Approaches to Student Cell Phone Use Pilot Grant” from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The purpose of this targeted federally funded grant is to support districts in implementing policies/programs and practices that address the use of cell phones and similar electronic devices by students throughout the school day in middle and/or high schools. Based on growing evidence of the negative impacts on academic, social-emotional and mental health outcomes, as noted in the recent United States Surgeon General's Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, the goal of this grant program is to assist districts in mitigating and/or reducing negative factors through age-appropriate, effective and innovative approaches.” Please see the Saugus Middle High School New Cell phone Protocol for the 2023-2024 School Year below.

New Cell Phone Protocol 2023-2024

• Students are encouraged to leave cell phones at home or to lock them securely in their lockers for the entire school day.

• Every classroom will have a cell phone pouch with pockets

• Students will have an assigned pocket per class

• At the beginning of each class, teachers will be greeting students upon arrival, asking students to put their cell phones in their assigned pocket.

• Cell phones will stay in the pocket for the duration of class, even if the student leaves to go to the bathroom, nurse, etc... (unless requested by faculty member-Nurse, Guidance, Dean, Assistant Principal, etc...)

• This protocol applies to Directed Studies and Substitute Teachers.

• Students will retrieve their cell phones at the end of class.

• Students will have access to their cellphones in between class time and during lunch.

• If parents/guardians need to contact their child immediately, please contact the Main Office.

Disclaimer: Students bring electronic devices on school property at their own risk. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged electronic equipment.

Students who do not comply with the cell phone protocol will be subject to disciplinary consequences.

Sincerely,

The SMHS Administrative Team

Brendon Sullivan-Principal

Myra Monto-Associate Principal

Kimberly Politano-Burns- Assistant Principal

David Micu-Assistant Principal

Jacqueline Alongi-SHS Dean of Students

Michelle Dwyer-SMS Dean of Students