AHSTW Families,
I hope everyone is having a great summer and this letter finds you relaxed and re-energized for an exciting year. Personally, I know the summer has gone by quickly but it has certainly been packed with action and enjoyment.
As you will see upon your return there have been changes made to our building, and I have listed them below!
Mrs. Calhoon’s classroom now has a bathroom in it!
LED lighting has been installed in the southern half of our building. What a change, as the light is whiter and brighter. The dimming components will be added next summer.
The HS mechanical room’s outside doors have been closed in.
The HS music room as you know it is gone. The room has been turned into an elementary music room along with a storage room, and an additional classroom.
The fire suppression system has been installed in all rooms south of the weight room and elementary / JH gym. The system is not operational, but all of the piping has been installed.
We also want to share that our AHSTW Community School District staff has worked throughout the past school year to develop guidelines relating to the use of electronic devices during the school day and we must be thoughtful in identifying which devices are allowed and in which situations. With that said, we understand the use of electronic devices can be beneficial to students’ learning as society continues to become more digital than ever before and in order to promote learning and access to information, AHSTW Community School District provides one-to-one computers for all students to use as a learning tool.
However, we know technology can have a negative impact on a student’s mental health due to the increased access to cell phones [smart phones] and the influence of social media on students. In fact, results from a 2019 nationwide survey by the National Center for Education Statistics indicated that 16% of students in grades 9-12 have experienced cyber-bullying. With that said, our goal in creating our new electronic device guidelines is to continually strive to lessen distraction over the course of the school day while creating a safer environment.
AHSTW High School Expectations: [Grades 9-12]
· Students are allowed to have their personal electronic devices while at school, however all personal devices do need to be turned off and put away during all instructional periods.
· Students are allowed to use personal devices during non-academic times, such as before and after school, during passing periods, and during lunch.
· Students needing to use technology to monitor health conditions [ex: diabetes] will be allowed to do so based on individually written health plans.
· Students will be required to put their devices in a designated location during the academic period.
· Personal devices such as iPads, personal laptops, smartwatches, .mp3 devices, earphones are not allowed.
· If a student uses a personal electronic device during an instructional period the following sequence of actions will be initiated :
o Step 1: The device is held in the HS Office until after 3:30 PM, at which time the student can pick it up. Parents will be notified of the violation.
o Step 2: A discipline referral is submitted with a 30 minute detention assigned, and the device is held in the HS Office until a parent can pick it up after that school day (arrangements need to be made with school administration and/or HS Office).
o Step 3: An additional discipline referral is submitted with an additional 30 minute detention assigned, and the device is held in the HS Office for a parent or guardian to pick the device up.
§ A 3rd offense will also require the student to check in his/her device at the beginning of each day prior to 1st period for the remainder of the semester (or a minimum of 30 days). Access to the student's device will not be granted until the school day ends.
· Parents are asked to contact the school office with any immediate information for their student and a message will be shared with the student.
· As in past years, the school assumes no responsibility or liability for any student-owned personal electronic device brought into the school building or onto school property.
AHSTW Intermediate School Expectations: [Grades 4-8]
· CELL PHONES: Cell phones must remain in the student’s backpack, cubby (gr. 4-6) or locker (gr. 7-8) during the school day (8:00 AM to 3:30 PM). If a student needs to contact a family member, they will be directed to use the classroom or office phone. If a family member needs to contact a student, please call Mrs. Kiesel (grades 4-6) or Mrs. Stamp (grades 7-8).
· SMART WATCHES: Wrist devices that connect to cellular phones must have the cellular feature turned off during the school day.
· MP3/AUDIO DEVICES/CHROMEBOOKS: digital devices for the purpose of listening to music are not to be used during the school day (8:30 AM to 3:30 PM). The use of such a device may result in disciplinary action.
o Teachers may allow use of MP3/Audio Devices for instructional purposes only.
· HEADPHONES: Headphones, including earbuds, are not to be worn at any time throughout the school day (8:30 AM to 3:30 PM).
o Teachers may allow use of headphones for instructional purposes only.
· CHROMEBOOKS: Since we are a 1:1 Chromebook school, we believe that the Chromebook issued to the student should be the primary piece of technology needed throughout the day.
· Any other electronic device will need administrative approval to be used throughout the school day. The use of any unapproved device or choosing to disregard any of the above policies will result in disciplinary action.
· Students bringing their own electronic devices to school do so at their own risk and assume all responsibility and liability for their devices. Student-owned devices can be confiscated by school employees if disrupting the educational environment.
AHSTW Primary School Expectations: [Grade PK-3]
o As in years past, our recommendation is that all electronic devices remain at home as the school is not responsible for the loss of any personal items. In the event a device is brought to school it is the expectation that the device remains powered off in the students backpack during the school day.
o We ask that you please contact Mrs. Kiesel in the event you need to contact a student and the message will be shared.
We can’t wait to see everyone on August 23!
Respectfully,
Darin Jones
Superintendent
AHSTW Community School District
