Hi Families -
Here are a few reminders about Technology, Attendance and our Personal Device Procedure at Ponderosa. Please read all and reach out with any questions.
Technology: Tech 4 All - Back to School Letter
Your family can avoid costly chromebook breakage fees by signing up for insurance? Insurance is $25-$35 and lasts through July 31, 2027! Details can be found on the ITS website at TSD Chromebook Insurance page.
Attendance: Attendance letter to families
Use “Absence Request” feature in Parent Portal to report an absence
Per Board Policy, parents/guardians may submit requests to their building principals to have the following absences considered for excusal
Absences which are neither temporary illness or injury absences nor recurring treatment absences, but rather are absences required to address:
an emergent family need,
preventative medical care (annual check-ups with a pediatrician or dentist, evaluations),
or are otherwise approved by the administrator of the student’s school of attendance prior to the absence occurring.
If approved, the submitted absences will appear as Excused in the Parent Portal.
Requests must be submitted for each student to each school.
Students with ten or more consecutive school days of absence must also submit the Intent to Return Form.
Personal Device Procedure - Cell Phone and Personal Device Policy - TSD Policy
Cell Phone and Personal Device Procedures specific to Ponderosa Elementary -
We will continue with our same protocol that we have for the last 2 years around Cell Phone and Personal Device Policy usage at school. This can be viewed in our Student and Parent Handbook. Below is a copy of the procedure for your viewing.
PES Mobile Phone and Communication Device Procedure
A coherent school-wide procedure is needed to ensure that classroom disruptions caused by electronic devices are minimized. Current practice is that mobile phones remain turned off or silenced in backpacks during the school day.
There has been a significant increase in the number of communication devices being brought/worn by students of all ages. There is a direct connection between increased student devices and classroom disruptions with students receiving calls and texts during class and using other device features (games, apps …). School approved use of these devices is for communication before or after school. When families use these devices to communicate last-minute changes in after-school arrangements with students, any associated confusion has the potential to put students at risk. Changes to pick-up arrangements must go through the school office to ensure that students are properly notified.
Students are required to communicate directly with their teachers and/or office staff regarding important
matters such as illness.
Ponderosa student device procedure:
