EXPO Council of Parents and Teachers
Council of Parents and Teachers Board Meeting-
Monday October 14, 2024
The Expo Council of Parents and Teachers is holding the October Board meeting on Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:00, on Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/zhs-jywz-vhx
All are welcome and the Board is looking for new members! We want to hear your voice, perspective, and input to continue to grow EXPO. If you are interested in joining the board, please email: expobod@gmail.com
Minutes from our September Board Meeting:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1re4IwN6Qx8RNnS9J8LeBb9EsOEIv4mPSYM_7cMhZ5Bw/edit
Cell Phone Expectations
We understand that cell phones are a very important part of our daily lives; however, academic success for our students is more important while they are in school. Therefore, EXPO is not allowing cell phones to be in classrooms. Here are our expectations:
Cell phones are not allowed to be used at school from “Door to Door.”
They are to remain at home or left in their lockers.
Failure to follow this policy will result in disciplinary action which may include exclusion from class time. Parents/Guardians will be informed when violations occur.
Q: Why don’t we allow cell phone usage during the school day?
We prioritize real human interaction. We believe that learning the skills of in-person communication and collaboration are much more important. This generation has grown up with computers and cell phones. Students are already good at using electronics – they do not need social media practice or gaming practice at school. One of the most important skills our students will learn at EXPO is how to get along and work well, face-to-face, with a variety of people.
Electronics are disruptive. Cell phones ringing and buzzing disrupt both the student and the class. We want students focused on the lesson, not who’s calling or texting them.
They may get stolen. Unfortunately, as wonderful as our EXPO students are, phones may still be stolen. They are attractive items. Leaving them in a locker is best if they can’t stay home. While we try to help our students problem solve, the school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
They are addicting. This generation of students is struggling to learn to think and stay busy with just their own thoughts. Managing boredom without tools or toys is an important life skill that we have little opportunity to practice when the phone is always present. We want our students to be fully present and experience all that school has to offer.
Students don’t need them. Every student at EXPO is given an iPad for academic use.
We are asking you to not only review this expectation but to also help out by not texting or contacting your student during the school day. Ideally, all necessary communication should occur before and after school. In the event of an emergency, please call the main office and we will get a message to your student as soon as possible. If a student needs to contact a parent/guardian, they may use the phone in the classroom if it is convenient or ask for a pass to use the phone in our main office.
EXPO Guidelines for Responding to iPad Misuse
Saint Paul Public Schools uses educational, restorative and preventative practices when responding to iPad misuse. iPads are instructional tools used to personalize learning and transform the teaching and learning experience to be student-centered, customizable and technology enriched in order to address the diverse needs of all students.
The guidelines below are intended as intervention ideas for us to use at EXPO to consider before excluding a student from iPad use.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b6w9pxu13QQwSqBisfP2mWmbFyV3nCLYzY5GzrhXV3U/edit
Contact Us
Email: john.bjoraker@spps.org
Website: www.spps.org/EXPO
Location: 540 Warwick Street, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-290-8384