HDG High Important Update

We wanted to share a special communication to all parents/guardians as the new HCPS policy for portable communication devices, listening devices, and wearable devices and implementation is going to be a change for high school students this coming school year. In prior years, each teacher had their own policy for their classroom. This often led to inconsistency and mixed messages for students related to cell phone use in school. We wanted to be proactive in sharing the new policy and how we plan to implement it at HDG High School so you can share and prepare your high school student(s). We plan to begin implementing this on the first day of school, September 3, 2024.

Students who are on PCD's (portable communication devices/cell phones), PLD's (personal listening devices/airpods/headphones), or WCD's (wearable communication devices/smart watches etc.) are more distracted and not fully engaged in the lesson. These distractions can impact the academics of students and overall achievement. Our goal is to preserve the teaching and learning environment fostering focused classrooms for all students.

Harford County Public Schools policy states for high school students:

"PLDs and PCDs are permitted on a student's person but MUST NOT BE VISIBLE and is DEACTIVATED in the Educational Environment, unless otherwise instructed by a teacher or staff member. WCDs are permitted on a student's person but must be DEACTIVATED in the Educational Environment, unless otherwise instructed by a teacher or staff member. High school students may possess and use a PCD, PLD, or WCD on school grounds and buses when authorized to do so pursuant to the students Individualized Education Plan, Section 504 or Nursing Plan."

Deactivated means the device is not able to emit any notifications, which encompasses sound, vibration and visual alerts and includes settings such as the "off" position or "Do Not Disturb" mode.

Educational Environment means all locations where learning takes place, including but not limited to the traditional classroom, libraries, laboratories, assembly halls and online platforms.

Portable Communication Device (PCD) means any electronic or battery powered instrument which transmits or receives voice, text, data, or information in any form including, but not limited to, cell phones, smart phones, tablets, electronic readers, or language translators and which is not owned by Harford County Public Schools (HCPS). Tracking devices that do not send or receive voice or text are excluded from this definition and include pedometers or location trackers, such as Apply Air Tags or Tile.

We recognize that cell phones are a part of our culture. Adults have them, the majority of students have them, and the connections and communication they provide offer many benefits. Looking at your phone has easily become part of most adolescents and adults daily routines. The average person looks at their phone 80+ times per day. How can we reduce the urge of students to constantly be looking at their phones?

Velcro Phone Pouches

In order to help students break the habit of pulling out/looking at their cellphone to look at them, while also allowing students to keep their phone in their possession, all regular classrooms, will have a set of bright blue bubble wrapped velcro pouches. Each classroom will be equipped with a few larger pouches should a student need to put a large cell phone, smartwatch, and airpods in a pouch etc.

Student Requirement:

Each student, as they enter the classroom, will be required to grab a blue pouch and put their PCD (cell phone) in the pouch. The pouch should remain on their desk/in their possession for the duration of the class period. The pouch is not see through to keep students from being distracted from any possible notifications that may pop up on their screen. The bubble insulation is to help protect the phone should a student accidentally drop their pouch. Students should keep the pouch in their possession if they move around the room as HCPS is not responsible for any theft of, loss off or damage to the student's PDC, PLD, or WCD. (HCPS parent student handbook pg. 13).

Students with assigned lockers are always welcome to keep their cell phone in their locker as an option that would ensure there are no classroom temptations/violations being distracted by their phones.

What about P.E.?

Students who choose to take their PCD/cell phone, PLD or WCD should keep the device in their locked assigned P.E. locker.

Successful implementation of this policy will require help from YOU (parents/guardians) to share this new policy and implementation with your students at home. Please talk to your student about the "WHY" behind this new policy and requirement. We are not trying to take away cell phones as we know this is not practical and they are a part of our culture, but we are trying to cultivate a learning environment where students can learn without the temptation of digital distraction from their PCDs.

Teachers/staff/administrators will share the "WHY" behind the change with students and the new policy. Students are expected to put their PCDs and PLDs in the provided pouch each class period. Students who bring very large headphones to school will be expected to put them away as they will not fit in the pouch. Larger pouches will be available should a student need to use them for a larger phone and for example, airpods case. When the instructional period is over, students should take their devices out of the pouch, return the pouch to designated location in the classroom and proceed to their next location at the teachers direction. Students can use devices in the hallway between classes, in the cafeteria, and on the bus. They can use that personal time to catch up on notifications or texts as necessary.

Violations will be filtered into two categories:

1. Violation leading to individual distraction

2. Violation that was a learning disruption

Violations categorized as an individual distraction would be considered a student who is distracting themselves with the use of a PCD, PLD, or WCD. This could for example, include the student taking the device out of their pouch during instructional time without the permission of the teacher. Depending on the circumstance, violations in this category will begin with a teacher warning in the classroom, parent communication, behavior referral, after school/Friday detention, in school suspension, PCD/PLD/WCD suspension/loss of privilege for a specified amount of time, or loss of PCD/PLD/WCD privilege for the remainder of the school year.

Violations that would be categorized as a learning disruption include but are not limited to, a student refusing to put away a PCD, PLD, or in the pouch, a student using their device to make/take phone calls, view inappropriate content, unauthorized photography or video recording, bullying/harassment, and academic dishonesty. Depending on the circumstance, consequences for this category of violation would warrant a behavior referral, and consequences ranging from detention to out of school suspension and/or technology suspension or loss of technology privilege's. Please see the HCPS Parent-Student Handbook page 13 for more specifics.

In emergency situations should a parent/guardian need to communicate with their child, the parent may call the main office at 410-939-6600 to request the child be permitted to contact the parent.

By adhering to these procedures, we aim to create a focused and respectful learning environment for all students.

This is a just a reminder that any student grade 9-12 that earned 1 or more E's on their June 2024 4th quarter report card is ineligible to participate and must submit an eligibility appeal.

*This does not apply to first time 9th graders (rising 8th graders).

All appeals for Quarter 1 of the 24-25 SY are due by Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

Microsoft forms link for appeals was emailed to all students.

Please check the box at the end of the form to email yourself a copy of your appeal submission. This serves as your receipt of appeal. If you forget to do this, please email Ms. Crawford for receipt of your appeal as late appeals will not be accepted and you are responsible for confirmation we received your appeal.

Completing the form does not guarantee eligibility. Your appeal will be heard by the eligibility committee on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

You will be notified by school email if your appeal was granted or denied and possible next steps.

Please check all attachments below for all FALL ATHLETIC information.

PRIOR TO TRYOUTS ALL FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED:

FORMS REQUIRED:

1. Physical Exam on the NEW HCPS form (no exceptions)

2. Athletic Permission Form (Completed on Form RELEAF)

Physicals:

All physicals must be dated after 6/1/2024 in order to be valid for the 24-25 school year. The physical is good for the entire school year and will kept on file.

Sports Schedules:

All fall sports game schedules can be found on County Sports Zone. This is the website you will use to find all athletic schedules for any school/county in Maryland.

Communication:

Join our REMIND group to get important announcements throughout the summer as well as weekly updates for schedules during the season. Join the group by texting @hdg24-25 to 81010