School is a place for learning and students should bring items that are necessary to fully engage and enrich their minds in the lessons and projects their teachers spend countless hours preparing for them every single week. Our focus and perspective should be geared toward areas of growth within our program and the academic areas that we have for all students at Field Elementary. Personal items and toys that could potentially be a distraction from the education happening during school hours are not permitted on campus. We have allowed personal sports items and/or sports balls on campus as long as these items are held and used appropriately during school hours. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule on a case by case basis if a homeroom teacher has a "show and tell" or event that permits personal items or toys on campus. Please note these circumstances are under the direction of a teacher and/or staff.
In the last few months the number of stolen personal items, personal injuries to innocent bystanders due to improper use of sports balls, and general disruptions to the school day has increased exponentially. This has also resulted in several items being confiscated and an increase in staff time spent investigating stolen or destroyed personal items. I do not want to completely prohibit these items on campus moving forward but compliance with the following rules and standards must be met immediately or I will move to restrict all items on campus.
Personal Items (not school related) and/or toys are only permitted on campus if your teacher (Homeroom or English) permits these items on campus for an event.
Personal sports balls and/or equipment are permitted on campus if the following occurs:
1. The owner of the sports ball and/or equipment item(s) takes full responsibility for the proper use or misuse of the item brought to campus.
2. The owner of the item(s) should be in charge of the item(s) at all times while on campus.
3. Sports balls and/or sports equipment are not permitted to be used in the hallways, or classrooms at any time. Students should hold their item(s) in their hands without bouncing, tossing, throwing and/or utilizing any other movement until they have successfully made it to the playground area and/or sports courts during their designated time at recess and/or free time during school hours.
4. Sports equipment for structured PE classes will be solely determined by the teacher in charge of the class. The teacher will be the sole person to determine if a personal sports item(s) and/or equipment item(s) will be used during a structured class.
5. If item(s) are confiscated for misuse the item will be stored until such time a parent/guardian can come to retrieve the item from the front office. Additionally, the student will need to speak with Dr. Tucker regarding the violation reported.
6. All teachers/staff on campus can enforce the measures put in place to keep all students and staff safe on campus.
7. Continued reports of violation to the measures put in place will result in further consequences for the owner of the sports ball and/or sports equipment.
I will be visiting all classrooms to discuss these items and measures with the students and staff. If I do not see a marked improvement in the number of unnecessary injuries or there continues to be a blatant disregard for the rules put in place for safety, I will be forced to take further action.
Expensive or sentimental items with significant value and meaning should not be on campus for any reason.
