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Cell Phone Policy
At Post Middle School, our cell phone policy was developed in coordination with Arlington High School and Haller Middle School. Having a consistent plan and protocol across schools will support students and families with consistent expectations. Many schools and districts have adopted policies that fully ban student cell phones from the educational setting. We are taking a variation to this approach. At Post, we have elected to have “a plan, not a ban” when it comes to your student and their cell phone on our campus. We genuinely believe as educators it is our duty to prepare every student for life beyond schooling which will surely include some form of cellular device for communication. Learning the proper time, place and application for cell phone use is something all professionals need in their careers and we want to best prepare your student for life beyond. The intent of this policy is to support our students’ academic success by reducing cell phone distractions, while building interpersonal connection and establishing defined consequences for policy violations. Essentially, we are trying to teach kids appropriate cell phone use at school.
Our plan requires cell phones to be silenced and stowed away in backpacks or in school provided classroom caddies where a teacher assigns a slot to a student for the duration of his or her class. Students are not to have a cell phone on their desk, nor in their pocket during instructional time unless specifically directed to do so by the teacher for an educational purpose. Students will be required to follow the direction of their classroom teacher on the use of the caddie system and/or storing phones in their backpacks, etc.
By having “a plan, not a ban,” we sincerely believe we’ve arrived at a solid compromise that allows students access to their phones at appropriate times, while allowing teachers the needed flexibility to engage kids via cell phones (if desired). This also maximizes learning and engagement by reducing the temptation to check social media notifications and text messages during instruction. We are confident students can increase engagement if the distraction is not at their desk, nor on their person.
For parents and guardians, we ask that you please help promote this policy by restricting phone contact with your student to before or after school or during lunch, when recreational cell phone use is allowed. Please know it is our expectation that students will not be using their cell phones during classroom instruction unless given expressed permission from the teacher to do so for the purpose of learning.
If you have an emergency notification for your student, please contact the main office (360-618-6400) and we can have someone inform your student
privately and in person.
Post Student Cell Phone Use Procedure and Progressive Discipline for Violations
Post Middle School recognizes the importance of communication and effective student collaboration, and to this end we provide Chromebooks for all students to be productive in the classroom. We also recognize that under teacher supervision, cell phones can be a powerful resource and learning tool. To keep the focus on academics and to reduce unnecessary distractions, the school will enforce the following starting September 1, 2022:
All personal electronics – including cell phones - need to be silenced and stored in a classroom caddie or backpack during class / instructional time. Cell phones can be used for educational purposes only with prior permission and direction from the teacher or staff. Additionally, if a student asks to use the restroom, their cell phone will remain stored in the classroom / instructional / support area. If a student refuses to store their cell phone during class as instructed by the teacher / staff, or uses their cell phone inappropriately during instructional time, the following progressive discipline will be enforced by the teacher and administration:
● First Offense: Teacher warns student, expectation reminders delivered.
● Second Offense: Teacher confiscates the device and returns it at the end of the period (parent notified by teacher via email / phone conference).
● Third Offense: Teacher confiscates the device with notification to administration who will hold the device for the remainder of the day (parent notified by administration via phone conference). Student may pick up the device from the office prior to leaving campus for the day.
● Fourth Offense: Teacher confiscates the device with notification to administration who will hold the device for the remainder of the day (parent notified by administration via phone conference). Device must be picked up by a parent / guardian.
● Fifth Offense and beyond: Teacher confiscates the device with notification to administration who will hold the device for the remainder of the day (parent notified by administration via phone conference). The device will be released to a parent at a face-to-face meeting where further consequences are considered, including losing the privilege to have a cell phone at school, etc.
Students who do not follow teacher / staff / administrative direction regarding confiscation of a cellular or other electronic device are subject to the same progressive discipline outlined above. Refusal to cooperate with staff members as outlined above constitutes insubordination in addition to the violation of our electronic device policy and procedure at Post Middle School.
Revision Effective July 17, 2022
The best way to avoid these interventions is for students to act responsibly with their device. Learning how to do so now is a great habit to take with them beyond!
Civility Policy:
As we look to prepare Every Eagle for their future, I would like to encourage your student to be mindful of their environment and the language they use in that environment. Post Middle School is their preparation for their next steps in their educational career and, in their future workplace, they will be expected to follow certain guidelines and conduct that can be learned during their middle school years.
It is the policy of Arlington Public Schools to promote mutual respect, civility and orderly conduct among District employees, parents, students, and the public. Arlington Public Schools staff will treat parents, students, and other members of the public with respect and expect the same in return. The need for order in the school and classroom is basic to learning. Rules are established to preserve the integrity of the classroom and school in order to accomplish this need. The District is committed to maintaining orderly educational and administrative processes to keep schools and administrative offices free from disruption and prevent unauthorized persons from entering school and District grounds. This policy is not intended to deprive any person of his or her right to freedom of expression, but to maintain a safe, harassment-free learning environment for our students and workplace for our staff. In the interest of providing positive role models to the children of this District, as well as the community, Arlington Public Schools encourages positive communication and discourages volatile, hostile or aggressive speech and/or actions. The District seeks the public’s cooperation in this endeavor.
Arlington Public Schools staff will treat parents, students, and other members of the public with respect and expect the same in return. The District encourages positive communication with the public, and discourages abusive, hostile or obscene speech, actions, e-mail or other forms of communication from the public. In order to implement Policy 4299, the following procedures
are adopted:
A. Any individual who disrupts or threatens to disrupt school/office operations; threatens the health and safety of students or staff; willfully causes property damage; uses loud and/or offensive language which could provoke a violent reaction; or who has otherwise established a continued pattern of unauthorized entry on school property will be directed to leave school or school district property promptly by the Superintendent or designee.
B. If any member of the public uses obscenities or speaks in a demanding, loud, insulting and/or demeaning manner, the administrator or employee to whom the remarks are directed will calmly and politely admonish the speaker to communicate civilly. If corrective action is not taken by the abusing party, the District employee will verbally notify the abusing party that the meeting, conference or telephone conversation is terminated and, if the meeting or conference is on District premises, the offending person will be directed to leave promptly.
C. When an individual is directed to leave School District property pursuant to circumstances referenced above and refuses to leave, the school administrator or designee may notify law enforcement officials. Restraining orders may be sought by the District when warranted.
D. When it is determined by staff that a member of the public is in the process of violating the provisions of this policy, an effort should be made by staff to provide a written copy of this policy, including applicable code provisions, at the time of the occurrence. The employee will notify his/her supervisor of the incident.
E. When a patron has been asked to leave school premises due to the use of abusive, hostile or obscene speech or disruptive conduct or actions, the school administrator will communicate in writing to that patron regarding Board Policy and Procedure 4299.
Reference: Policy No. 4299
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