Forsyth County Schools is currently a BYOT district. Hendricks Middle School believes that this offers great opportunities for our students to reach outside the limits of the school walls to explore and create content. It empowers students to go beyond the textbook to collaborate, communicate, think critically and be creative.
As with all great things, negative side effects are possible. Students today face more distractions than ever before. Between social media and digital interactions, the challenge to stay focused can be quite difficult. Unfortunately, this spills over into the academic day interrupting quality instructional time, and likely increasing anxiety among our teens. Our staff would like to partner with families to ensure the highest quality education for our students. To do this, we must find a healthy balance in helping our teens use their mobile device.
As parents, there are things we can do to limit our teen's time on their phones, specifically in the academic setting.
FCS has a secure, filtered BYOT network that limits access to social media as well as many other inappropriate sites. We ask you to encourage sole use of our filtered BYOT network from 9am - 4:15pm by disallowing data usage completely. Currently, this filter blocks the following popular apps and many others:
Instagram
Facebook
Snapchat
Netflix
Hulu
HBO
Xfinity
The BYOT filter still allows users to send and receive phone calls as well as text messages.
As usual, students will receive lessons in digital citizenship as well as sign the policy on responsible use of their technology. In addition, our policy is consistent with FCS and states "All Cellphones should be powered off and out of sight". This should limit distractions in the classroom.
Students at Hendricks Middle School have access to chromebooks in the classroom. Because of this, cell phones are not necessary for instruction. If a student decides to bring their cell phone, it is to be used for instructional purposes only using our filtered BYOT network and only at the teacher's discretion. Social Media usage is strictly prohibited during the day along with videoing of other students or staff unless a teacher has requested it as part of a learning experience. We are committed to making sure students remain undistracted during the day. Failure to abide by the HMS BYOT policy could result in the following:
1st offense- Warning
2nd offense- MIR (Minor Infraction Report) through PBIS
3rd offense- 1 week phone prohibited from campus
4th offense - Administrative Referral - loss of phone for semester or school year
