Superintendent e-Newsletter

Welcome to the New Year. I hope for a year that is filled with prosperity, health, family and friends. For SD 41, I offer a renewed and continued effort towards quality education! Through quality education, we look to develop the content knowledge and extra-elective/CTE/curricular skills so our students have the tools to be successful and productive citizens!

Goal 1. Increase the academic achievement of all students. The goal is to see another 10% or more of the students reach grade level in language arts, an increase from 47% to 57% or greater. In math, the goal is to see another 10% or more of the students reach grade level or beyond, an increase from 33% to 43% or greater.

Goal 2. Expand the college and career readiness of our students. I worked alongside the high school as they were accredited this school year, offering rigorous college-ready classes and many vocational offerings. The middle school and I work to develop electives that align with the high school vocational classes. The elementary schools and I work to teach technical reading and math fundamentals to all students.

Goal 3. Provide a safe, healthy, and inviting environment for all students. Schools promote respect, responsibility, and safety for staff and students. The Students of the Month recognition is one way to appreciate such respectful traits. I have worked with the schools to develop a consistent K -12 behavior matrix, defining positive behaviors, standard consequences, and appropriate interventions.

I also work closely with a team to develop ways to prevent inappropriate behavior and replace challenging behaviors with respect and safety.

Goal 4. Improve communication between the school district and the community. I work relentlessly to communicate regularly and in various venues so families and the St. Maries Community can stay informed and involved with SMSD.

1. We believe in a safe and secure environment for our students.

2. We want students and staff to be held accountable to and for our work and actions.

3. Staff and students value constitutional freedoms, and civic responsibility.

4. Staff and students believe in integrity, matching our actions with our words. (doing the right thing even when no one is watching us).

5. Staff and students necessitate respect towards all individuals.

6. Staff will make data-driven and informed decisions on behalf of the students.

I reflect on 2024 to then be resolute with the year of 2025. In my reflection here were some lessons learned:

1. Be present. As a leader and in my personal life, being present is important. I want to be involved in SD 41's events and activities. In the community, I also want to participate in the important events and activities that shape St. Maries. Being involved is the best way to understand the town of St. Maries. With my family, I want to enjoy the time I have on earth with my parents.

2. Have the courage to invite and hear differing perspectives. I am learning the importance of creating a place for people to share their perspectives. In Board meetings, even when uncomfortable, it is a place where patrons with different views can be heard.

3. Have the courage to also stand by the organization's standards, goals, and direction. As part of a school district, we work together towards a common direction and shared goals as outlined in a strategic plan. It is important to have a common direction so staff, parents, and students can make decisions and operate in a way that improves and advances the school district.

4. Know one's priorities in life. For me, 1) faith, 2) family, and 3) my work are the top priorities in my life, and in that order. Faith has not always been number one nor even in my top three. Faith has become number one in the past year. I trust that God has a plan for me. He will give me the strength to handle his plan. He never abandons me and is always at my side.

As I grow older, my family becomes more and more important to me. I am blessed every day that my parents remain on earth and healthy! My work always remains a top priority. It is an honor, and I take superintendence as a heavy responsibility to lead in a way that upholds SMSD's six values and to lead in a way that sees every student of SMSD realize our vision for them!

5. Be impeccable. Words are a powerful force and a precious gift. I want to continue to be conscientious of my word and use my word to express love, gratitude, accuracy, and sincerity.

There are several ways to stay connected to the "happenings" in St. Maries Joint School District.

• The monthly District-Corner is published the Gazette (the first Wednesday of each month in the back section).
• The monthly Superintendent eNewsletter
• The School and District-wide weekly Facebook posts
• The School and District websites, especially the calendar found on the front pages
• The Staff of the Month is published in the Gazette (the last Wednesday of each month)
• Weekly Wednesday Gazette articles covering different topics relevant to the School District

January 6. School resumes for Staff and students

January 8. SMSD Leadership and Management meeting

January 8. CCW Information meeting with Staff

January 9. I will meet with the middle school ASB and the high school ASB at separate times on this day.

January 13. Regular Board Meetings and the annual organization.

January 14. Policy Review Committee Meeting

January 15. CCW information meeting for parents

January 16. Open for a parent information meeting.

January 22. Cell Phone information meeting for parents

The Regular School Board Meetings are now being broadcasted through this link: https://www.youtube.com/@SD41YouTube/streams

The following Regular School Board Meeting will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025.

A Special Board Meeting on Policy Review will be held on Monday, January 27th, 2025, starting at 5:30 pm

Boise, Idaho – Recognizing the significant distractions brought about by cell phones in classrooms, Governor Brad Little and Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield rolled out Executive Order 2024-11 today, the “Phone Free Learning Act.”

The Governor’s “Phone Free Learning Act” encourages all schools to adopt a comprehensive, district-wide policy restricting cell phones in schools by the end of the 2024-2025 school year and offers districts that adopt a policy a $5,000 one-time award.

“When kids are more concerned about what’s happening on their cell phones than what they are learning in class, we need to respond. Cell phones, and social media in particular, present negative effects on young Idahoans’ mental health and learning environments. We are encouraging school districts to adopt cell phone restriction policies that best fit the students, families, and teachers they serve,” Governor Little said.

“Research has shown that phones have changed our kids’ brains and that their presence in the classroom makes learning more difficult,” Critchfield said. “This gives our students the break they need so they can focus their full attention on what they’re at school to do – learn. Thoughtful policies implemented well will support parents, schools and communities in setting their students up for academic success.”

The executive order also signals collaboration between Governor Little, Superintendent Critchfield, and the Idaho Legislature during the upcoming legislative session to codify a policy on cell phone use in schools.

Addilyn Lewis, a senior at Owyhee High School in the West Ada School District, was on hand during the executive order signing ceremony to express support for the Phone Free Learning Act. The West Ada School District adopted a district-wide policy to restrict cell phone use in classrooms earlier this year.

“Whenever my phone used to buzz in my pocket during class, my mind would go from focusing on what my teacher was saying to what I had to check on my phone. Ever since West Ada adopted a phone free policy in classrooms, my grades have gone up and I feel more productive. I am grateful for the policy. We still have access to our phones in the hallways and at lunch, but now we can stay more focused on learning when we’re in class,” Lewis said.

Natalie Aurich and Janel Hafen, both parents of West Ada students, also expressed support for limiting cell phone use in classrooms and the Governor’s new executive order.

“Since the new phone free policy was put in place, I notice students’ grades are improving. They are talking to each other more and seem more focused and engaged in class,” Aurich said.

“It’s just a no-brainer to limit cell phone use during class. Even as an adult, my phone is such a distraction. We need to create the best learning environment for our students. I support this policy because I’ve seen the positive impact it’s had on our students’ lives,” Hafen said.

The Phone Free Learning Act can be found at this link: https://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/eo-2024-11.pdf

Additional resources, including a policy checklist and more information on the award, are available at this link: https://sde.idaho.gov/topics/cell-phone-policy/

Although St. Maries Joint School District recognizes the importance of technology in the educational setting. Electronic communication devices, like cell phones, pose a significant distraction to the learning environment. A growing body of evidence suggests that student access to cell phones and other electronic communication devices can be detrimental to students' well-being and academic success. Therefore, the use of electronic communication devices at school is prohibited, unless otherwise noted in this policy.

The Board adopts this policy to place safety controls on the use of student-owned electronic devices at school. The Board's priority is that all students are engaged in learning without distraction.

By placing limits on the permissible use of such electronic devices, the Board intends to:

1. Promote student safety;

2. Support staff in maintaining a school environment that is safe and focused on academic learning;

3. Promote responsible technology use;

4. Prevent cyberbullying

5. Mitigate privacy concerns; and

6. Optimize instructional time

The policy shall apply to any electronic device not issued by the District and that is capable of accessing the internet or sending an electronic message to another device.

Definitions

Devices: All personal electronic communication devices including, but not limited to, the following personal devices and accessories used for communication and entertainment: cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, earbuds, headphones, video recording devices, personal digital assistants (PDA), iPods, iPads, laptop computers, tablet computers and other similar electronic devices.

School day: From the official school start time to the end of the day, school dismissal, including class periods, passing periods, free periods, lunch periods, recess, and assemblies.

During the School Day

Students must keep their devices powered off, out of sight, and not on their person (in PK - 8 grade) while on school campuses for the duration of the school day. Each school’s procedures will determine where students shall keep devices during the school day, such as in a separate backpack, bag, locker, cubby, purse, a designated location in the classroom, etc.

Restrictions on Location of Use

Students are prohibited from using their device as defined above.

1. During class time

2 During passing periods (PK -8)

3. During lunch (PK - 8)

4. At school activities during the school day (i.e. a school assembly)

5. In bathrooms, locker rooms, or changing rooms.

Students are permitted to use cell phones in the following times and locations:

1. Before and after school;

2. At school activities outside of school hours;

3. During passing periods and lunchtime for the high school only

Any use of an electronic device required by a student's 504 Plan, medical plan authorized by a licensed physician, or Individualized Plan (IEP) shall be permitted.

Students may use a personal electronic device in the case of an emergency to contact help. In this policy, an emergency is an event that poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of any person or a risk of damage to property. If a student needs to use a personal electronic device in such an emergency, they should ensure they are in as safe a location as is feasible.

If a student’s parent/guardian or their designee needs to contact a student in the case of an emergency at a time when student cell phone use is not permitted, the school staff should bring the student to the office to speak with the parent/guardian or designee by phone or in-person.

To be clear, students may use district-issued devices (i.e. Chromebooks) during the school day.

Consequences

If a student’s device is visible, stored on their person, or turned on during the school day, the following will happen:

1. For the first violation, the device will be confiscated by a St. Maries Joint School District No. 41 employee and may be retrieved from the school's front office by the student at the end of the school day.

2. For the second violation, the device will be confiscated by a St. Maries Joint School District No. 41 employee and may be retrieved from the school's front office by the student’s parents or guardian at the end of the school day.

3. For the third violation, the student cannot have the device during the school day. TThe school uses a check-in and check-out system.

Communication with the Parent or Guardian

A parent or guardian should not expect to communicate directly with their children using their devices during classtime. In case of an emergency, a parent or guardian can always reach the school’s main office. St. Maries Joint School District No. 41 knows there will be times when a student needs to utilize a telephone during the day. St.

Maries Joint No. District No. 41 also knows that there will be certain conditions or situations where an individualized plan will permit the use of a cell phone.

Conduct

Students may not use devices (nor district-issued devices) in any manner that disrupts the educational environment, violates student conduct rules, or violates the rights of others. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Using any devices (or district-issued devices) to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms.
• Cheating
• Creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction or non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images (i.e., sexting).
• Inappropriate use of any devices (or district-issued devices) at other school activities or events, on or off campus, either during or outside the school day.

Responsibility

SMSD 41 is not responsible for the loss, theft or damage to any device brought to school. If the device is confiscated for a violation of the SMSD 41 policy and/or procedures, the district and its employees shall not be responsible for safekeeping, loss, or damage.

This policy will be strictly and fairly enforced by all district personnel.

Understand that each building currently restricts where and when to use a cell phone during the day. For PK–8, the phones are not to be used in the school building. For high school students, phones should not be used in the classroom. Refer the school's student handbook to read more detail.

To be clear, students use district-issued devices (i.e., Chromebooks) during the school day.

In case of an emergency, parents/guardians can always reach the school's main office. SD 41 knows that there will be times or situations when a student needs to utilize the school phone or cell phone during the day.

Stay tuned for more messaging and information sessions between now and January.

SMSD works to establish a place where students are safe and secure and feel special and important. SMSD reaches out to families and the community to work in partnership as we provide a safe place and a quality education where we teach the necessary skills and knowledge so our children can be productive and successful citizens.

The school district has many good people, staff, students, and parents, making the school district a good place. Therefore, in 2025, with the guidance of God, I commit to doing my best to lead St. Maries Joint School District 41. Furthermore, I am thrilled to continue as your superintendent. It is a true honor and privilege.