Dear Cedarcrest families,
I am writing to let you know about an important school policy change starting this upcoming school year (2019-20). Starting September 4, 2019, all CMS classrooms and hallways will be cell-phone free zones. This means that all cell-phones should be off or in silent mode, and in your student’s backpack or in a secure location for the entire class period in all classes and during passing time.
This is a change from previous years when teachers set individual policies within their classrooms. Students will have a consistently worded cell-phone free policy in their
student handbooks which will be available on the school website. This information will be reviewed with students when we return from summer break.
As a technology forward school, CMS staff want to help teach and promote appropriate digital citizenship. Our school staff have overwhelmingly agreed that a consistent and school wide policy to bar cell-phone use during class time will help students stay more present and engaged in their learning.
The intent of this policy is to support our students’ academic success by removing a major temptation and distraction, and promoting face-to-face social interaction and connection. Teachers have repeatedly observed that a cell-phone on a desk, even when in use as a research tool, is still too tempting a distraction. When a cell-phone rings or buzzes, the minds of even the most focused of students wander away. Research tells us that it can take up to ten minutes to re-engage after responding to a cell-phone distraction. Phones are not only a distraction for their owners in the classroom, but cell-phones can also be a distraction for teachers and classmates as well. This policy is also being adopted in Marysville School District high schools to promote a culture of engagement and attention to academic growth.
For parents and guardians, we ask that you please help us with this policy by restricting phone contact with your student to before and after school, or during lunch, when cell-phone use will be allowed. We ask that families and students use the main office when communicating messages from home or school.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Russ Wilsterman
Principal, Cedarcrest Middle School
Cedarcrest Middle School Cell Phones & Electronics Policy:
Cedarcrest recognizes the importance of communication and collaboration, and provides technology resources (chromebooks) for all students to be productive in the classroom. To keep the focus on academics and to reduce unnecessary distractions, the school will enforce the following effective September 4, 2019.
All personal electronics – including cell phones - need to be turned off and out of sight during class time and in all offices. If cell phones are seen, they will be confiscated and kept until the end of the period, the end of the day, or until a parent or guardian has a conference with the administration.
Technology must not distract from the learning environment.
Misuse of cell phones will result in confiscation in all classrooms
Teachers reserve the right to tell students to put away any technology (including school-issued chromebooks) they deem to be distracting in the classroom.
Teachers may confiscate students’ cell phones and return them at the end of the period, or turn them into the office for students to retrieve at the end of the day. In this case security or administration will send an email home to parents reminding them of the policy.
If a student continues to violate the policy, their cell phone will be confiscated and must be retrieved by the parent or guardian at the end of the day.
Students may not wear headphones unless given permission by a teacher to complete an academic task.
If students have an emergency and need to use a phone they may come to the Main Office to do so. If you need to relay information to your student, please call the Main Office at 360-965-0700 and we will ensure the information is delivered to them.
Consequences
1st Incident | Students will be warned |
2nd Incident | The teacher will confiscate the device and return at the end of the period |
3rd Incident | The device will be taken to the office for the remainder of the day and may be picked up when a student is ready to leave school |
4th Incident | The device will be taken to the front office and must be picked up by a parent or guardian |
After the 4th Incident | The device will be taken to the office and a meeting will be set up which may result in the device being required to check the phone in to the office daily. This would allow the student access to their phone during the day if needed and reduce the distraction during learning times. |