Greetings!

I have copied below the letter I sent out earlier this week regarding personal technology at all Robbinsdale middle schools. I've received many messages of support and gratitude and a few questions. Thank you for reaching out to us! Here are some frequently asked questions:

Q: What if I need to talk to my student?

A: You can call the main office and we can either get a message to your student or locate them so you can speak with them.

Q: How will the no personal technology guideline be enforced?

A: With teaching and understanding. Helping students though this change will require clear expectations, understanding and partnership. Please discuss the expectation at home and how you will support us here at school.

Q: If my student needs to reach a parent(or caregiver), can they take a phone to the office/counselor's office to make a call?

A: Yes and each classroom has a telephone which students can ask to use or they may come to the main office to make a phone call.

Q: How will I get a hold of my student during an emergency?

A: We totally understand the desire to want to be able to communicate with your student if there is an emergency. Please consider what an security expert said in an article from NPR regarding why it is not good for kids to have cell phones during an emergency:

1. Using phones can distract people from the actions they need to be taking in the moment, such as running, hiding and listening to directions from first responders.

2. The sound of the phone, whether ringing or on vibrate, could alert an assailant to a hiding place.

3. The shooter could be monitoring the event themselves on social media and find more victims or elude capture that way.

4. Victims and worried family members trying to get through can jam communications, interfering with first responders.

Here is another article: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/articles/cellphones-in-school-what-to-know

Q: What if my student needs to use their phone for telehealth appointments during the school day?

A: Ideally these appointments are scheduled outside the school day but we understand that it isn’t always possible. Students/caregivers can connect with their school counselor to schedule their appointment and coordinate how they will connect with their provider when necessary.

In Partnership,

Principal Naida

naida_g-n@rdale.org

Greetings!

We hope this letter finds you well and enjoying your summer break. We are writing to tell you about an important change that will be implemented across all middle schools in Robbinsdale Area Schools for the 2023-24 school year.

After careful consideration and research, we have decided to implement “No Personal Technology Guidelines” during the instructional day at our middle schools. Under these new guidelines, students may not use their personal devices (such as cell phones, airpods, bluetooth headphones, smartwatches, etc.) during the instructional day from 9:20 am-4:05 pm. All students are provided a locker with a lock for storing their personal items. Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with documented medical, IEP or 504 needs.

We understand that smartphones and other electronic devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, but they also pose distractions and disrupt the learning process. This decision was made with the well-being and academic success of our students in mind. Research tells us that minimizing the use of personal electronic devices at school creates a more focused, safe and engaging learning environment.

If students have their personal electronics out during the instructional day, the following process will take place:

1st time: Staff will talk to the student and re-teach the expectation.

2nd time: Staff will implement their classroom management plan, talk to the student and call home.

3rd time: Students will be referred to Support Staff for technology pick-up for the remainder of the day. Staff will call home to discuss potential solutions around their student’s personal technology use during instructional time.

If a student is referred for technology pick-up more than one time, the school will schedule a family meeting to discuss the student’s use of personal devices in the learning environment.

We kindly request your support and partnership in reinforcing these guidelines at home and discussing their benefits with your student. We look forward to a productive and enriching academic year ahead and firmly believe these new “No Personal Technology Guidelines” will contribute to the overall growth and success of our students.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in implementing this change.

Sincerely,

The Middle School Administrative Team & Faculty

Please prepare your student to be using their locker this year. No backpacks, purses, string bags, etc. will be allowed in the classrooms. They will need to be away for the day. The purpose of this change is to improve safety at school. Students have enough time between classes to go to their locker and get materials for their next class.

To protect families from expenses that may occur due to theft or accidental damage while the device is in the care of your student, we encourage you to purchase a Device Protection Plan (DPP) for each student each year. The cost for the DPP is $25 per school year per student. The cost is $5.00 per year per student for families who qualify for educational benefits. Go to the Campus School Store (Payment Portal) for the payment link.

Learn more including the cost break down and pay for the DPP in the Campus Store on https://www.rdale.org/discover/technology

School bus schedule information is mailed to families in the Robbinsdale Area Schools before the first day of school. Eligible students in grades K-12 receive a postcard with the student's bus number, pick-up location and pick-up/drop-off times.

Stay up to date with our new school instagram! Follow us here: /https://www.instagram.com/plymouthmiddleschoolpanthers/

Thursday August 24, 2023

An optional day for all 6th graders and new students from 4:00-7:00pm

• Take your school photo
• Find your locker
• Review and walk your draft schedule
• Tours from our Where Everyone Belongs (W.E.B.) Student Leaders
• Pick up your Chromebook in the Media Center

Thursday August 31, 2023

Back to School Open House from 4:00-7:00pm.

• Meet your teachers
• Find your locker
• Walk your schedule
• Tours from our Where Everyone Belongs (W.E.B.) Student Leaders
• Pick up your Chromebook
• At 4:30 and 6:30pm, Principal Naida will host a family meeting in the cafeteria

Tuesday September 5, 2023

• First day for 6th graders and 8th grade WEB leaders
  
• Busses will run normally
  
• School day is from 9:20-4:05pm

Wednesday September 6, 2023

• All students attend school
• School day is from 9:20-4:05pm

Other Important Dates:

September 18, 2023

• Picture Retake Day

The 23-24 educational benefits online application is live and can be found at https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?identifier=L4P4P9

In the fall we offer soccer, girls tennis and girls volleyball at Plymouth. It is important to note that you have to do a sports physical in order to participate in school athletics. Please check out our athletics and activities website for more information.

Robbinsdale Area middle schools students will be allowed to participate in activities at the high schools only if the sport is not available at the middle school or if they will be playing at the junior varsity or varsity level of competition. Prior approval is required.

Attending sporting events in Robbinsdale Schools is a family event. Please remember that if your student would like to go to sporting events at any of our schools, parents/guardians must attend with their student.

For more information, click here: Plymouth Middle School Athletics and Activities Page

Picture Days: August 24 and 31 from 4:00-7:00pm

Picture Retake Day: September 18 during the school day

Plymouth Middle School Website

Plymouth Middle School Calendar

Plymouth Middle School Supplies

Plymouth Middle School Athletics and Activities Page

Administration

Ms. Naida Grussing-Neitzel, Principal: naida_g-n@rdale.org

Mr. Mike Bury, Assistant Principal for 6th Grade Students with last names A-L, all 8th Grade: mike.bury@rdale.org

Mr. Todd Goggleye, Assistant Principal for 6th Grade students with last name M-Z, all 7th Grade: todd_goggleye@rdale.org

Mr. Doug Hubred, Activities and Athletics Director: doug_hubred@rdale.org

Counselors

Ms. Sophie Bigelow, Grade 8: sophie_bigelow@rdale.org

Mr. Blake Zomermaand, Grade 7 (so recently hired his email isn't set up yet)

Ms. Sarah Doohen, Grade 6: sarah_doohen@rdale.org