Dear Panthers,
I hope everyone is doing well this summer. As we prepare for the 2024-25 school year, I would like to share some important updates regarding our school's cell phone procedures. The proliferation of cell phones and smartwatches has brought both benefits and challenges to our educational environment. While the ability to communicate with our children at any time offers tremendous convenience and peace of mind, it has also introduced significant distractions that disrupt the learning process.
We recognize the importance of staying connected with our children for various reasons, such as coordinating family logistics, sending reminders for appointments, or ensuring their safety during emergencies. However, we also understand that maintaining focus during lessons and actively engaging with peers and teachers is crucial for our students' academic success and future opportunities. The constant notifications from cell phones can be a major distraction for everyone, including myself.
To address this issue while balancing the needs of communication and education, the Parchment High School Team has decided to implement a more centralized cell phone procedure for the upcoming school year. Our goal is to create an environment that supports effective teaching and learning while acknowledging the realities of modern communication.
New Cell Phone Procedures for 2024-25 School Year:
● During Class Periods: Cell phones, smartwatches, and headphones/earbuds must be turned off and kept out of sight unless explicit permission is granted by the instructor for a specific curricular purpose. Simply put: no cell phones, smartwatches, or earbuds/headphones from bell-to-bell.
● Passing Periods and Lunch: Students are allowed to use their phones and headphones/earbuds during these times appropriately.
● Curricular Purposes: Teachers may grant permission for cell phone use during class for narrowly defined educational activities.
We believe this procedural plan strikes a balance between reducing distractions and maintaining necessary communication channels. However, we cannot achieve this alone. We need your support and cooperation to ensure the success of this initiative and to help our students focus on their learning. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our school community. We look forward to a great school year!!
Sincerely,
Craig Thornton
Principal, Parchment High School