Welcome to the Weekly Sanford Newsletter!
As you start preparing for back to school, please have conversations with your student(s) regarding no personal technology at school. We understand that personal devices have become an integral part of our daily lives but they also pose distractions and disrupt the learning environment. Research tells us that minimizing the use of personal electronic devices at school creates a more focused, safe and engaging learning environment. We acknowledge that it will be a difficult transition for some students to no personal technology starting at beginning of the school day 8:40am to the end of the school day at 3:20pm. Ideally, cell phones or other electronic devices including smart watches, and earbuds/air pods should be left at home or turned off and put away. Personal devices are never allowed in bathrooms and locker rooms. Here are some important reminders of our practice here at Sanford:
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If caregivers need to reach their student during the school day, please call the main office. We will ensure students receive messages in a timely manner. For all other non-emergency messages, students may check their phones after school as they leave the building.
Sanford has had this practice and it has worked to create a positive learning environment. It is in support of Minneapolis Public Schools School Board Policy 5210.
If a student has a medical health plan, IEP or 504 that requires a personal device, please reach out to our nurse or case manager to make an accommodation.
Students who desire to filter noise, for spaces like the lunchroom, may want to consider personal earplugs that still allow them to participate fully in instruction(my kids have loops- no affiliation or requirement just a suggestion of what works for my family) .
If a student makes a mistake with their personal device (cell phone, earbuds, etc), we will reteach them our expectation and follow this process:- Staff will talk with the student and the device will be brought to the security office until the end of the school day.
- Staff will talk with the student and the device will be brought to the security office until the end of the school day. Student and a staff member will call home together.
- Staff will talk with the student and the device will be brought to the security office until the end of the school day. Parent/Caregiver will have to pick up the device and discuss the students' personal technology use during instructional time. A personal plan will be created in partnership between school and caregiver.
We kindly request your support and partnership in reinforcing this policy at home and discussing the benefits with your student. We look forward to a productive and enriching academic year ahead and firmly believe that no personal technology bell to bell will contribute to the overall growth and success of our students.
