Traffic and driving is always a topic of concern at the start of the school year.

Parents who are dropping off students at school should note:

• In the morning, drop-offs of students will continue to occur via the front loop (please pull forward to the Gymnasium or Field House entrances) or via the back entrance (by the white tent).  

• In the afternoon, please pick up only in the front loop until 3 p.m..  After 3 p.m., pickups may occur either in the front loop or rear of the school.

• Do not line up at the side of Lund Road by the tennis courts.  Also, do not park along Almont Street.  Cars (and especially large SUVs) in these areas block visibility of drivers exiting the parking lot and have led to numerous accidents in the past.
  
  

Despite our best efforts, there are brief periods of traffic congestion in the morning and afternoon.  From both a traffic and educational standpoint, there are benefits to earlier drop-off or later pick-up times.  More time at school permits students to become involved in activities, socialize with peers, work on homework, or seek assistance from teachers.  An earlier or later time also reduces the time you spend in traffic and minimizes the overall congestion around campus.  We encourage all families to utilize times beyond the busiest few minutes of the morning and afternoon.

Students driving to school should be aware:

• Student drivers park in assigned spots only and enter through the cafeteria, gym/field house, or locker rooms.  At the end of the school day, student drivers may only exit via Almont Street.  (The Lund Road exit is closed at dismissal time for safety reasons.)

• All student drivers are expected to drive courteously and safely in the vicinity of the school.  Students are expected to avoid aggressive or obnoxious driving behaviors in the neighborhood (speeding, loud music, etc.).  There is significant concern by neighbors, the city, and the police about student (and adult) drivers in the vicinity of the school.  It is important that we be good neighbors.

• Student drivers may enter and exit the campus on Lund Road and Almont Street but may not take shortcuts on the side streets (Forest Park, Fairlane, Knollwood, Alder, etc.) unless their car is parked there.  These quiet residential side streets are not “drag strips” for avoiding the congestion on the main road.

• Parking on campus is limited and is a privilege.  A single incident of irresponsible driving may result in the revocation of parking privileges.  There is always a “waiting list” for parking spaces, and we award this privilege to those who will take responsibility for safe driving.

• The school also fully supports and actively encourages the frequent efforts by the Nashua Police Department to enforce speed limits and driving laws near the school.

We remind you about (1) the Substance Free Pledge which you signed electronically and (2) the Drug and Alcohol Policy (p. 20 of the student handbook) to which you and your student have agreed.  These rules apply 24/7, all year, in school and out of school.  The use of drug, tobacco, or alcohol products is always a violation of our policy (even if they are used in a locality that has legalized them).  Also, the use of electronic vaporizing devices, “vaping,” is a violation of the Substance Free Pledge and school policies.  These devices deliver THC and nicotine, often at a much higher concentration than traditional cigarettes.

We encourage your family to review the policies to which you have agreed and to discuss your family's consistent expectations around the use of substances.  Clear research demonstrates the susceptibility of young people to addiction.  We now know that teenage "experimentation" is not as harmless as was thought in the past; many lifelong addictions start during the teenage years, and these policies create a structure for helping our students to avoid these pitfalls.

Another issue that requires your support is social media and phone use.  Often, social media and text/video messaging is the underlying issue behind issues of mental health, anxiety, sleep deficits, bullying, and academic difficulty.  A majority of the school's incidents involving bullying and unkind behavior involved social media in some way.  Our Digital Citizenship Policy (p. 21 of the student handbook) outlines expectations and also the limitations on the school's ability to be the arbiter of social media activity.  It is important to understand that the school is unable to supervise or address the majority of behaviors that occur online, and the administration reserves the right to determine which matters fall under the school’s oversight.  As a parent, you ultimately own the digital device and the service plan and it is your responsibility to monitor or set parameters on the use of social media outside of school.

A great deal of research has demonstrated that cell phones are detrimental to classroom learning, with many states (including New Hampshire) instituting cell phone bans.  Bishop Guertin has maintained a no-phones-in-class position for well over a decade.  Our policy was enhanced last year to include all times of the school day.  We were impressed by the response of our students to this policy, as well as the improvements in engagement within the school.  Phones will be confiscated by teachers or staff members if the phone is seen in a student’s possession at any time during the day.  We ask for your support of this rule by not contacting your student during their classes and by supporting our enforcement of this rule as we strive to offer "the gift of focus" to our students.  In case of emergency, you or your student can always reach out to the Main Office for assistance in making contact.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping all aspects of the world that our students will enter.  Our mission as a school is to educate and form competent individuals who will change the world in a compassionate and ethical manner.  It is our belief that doing so will continue to require well-developed reasoning, critical thinking, reading, writing, and mathematical skills.  Individuals with these skills will be able to intelligently utilize AI as a tool and navigate the dilemmas it will pose.

AI tools, used inappropriately, can avoid the hard work and challenges, and also the growth, of the learning process.  Your student’s teachers will be communicating expectations and boundaries for the use of AI in their classes.  The intent of any restrictions is to ensure that students learn critical thinking, communication, and decision-making skills.  The administration will support teachers in holding students accountable for their expectations.  We ask for the help of parents in reinforcing the benefits of the “journey” - the learning process - building the necessary skills, rather than seeking shortcuts.

School safety remains a nationwide concern.  On an ongoing basis, we review our safety procedures in light of "lessons learned" from recent tragedies, receive training and guidance from supportive local law enforcement representatives, and implement safety upgrades here at school.  Safety is an extremely high priority for us as the physical safety and sanctuary of our school is essential to everything we do.  

While we are always looking to protect the school building, the best defense against violent incidents is an awareness of those who may be struggling in our community.  Our mission of ensuring that every student is known, valued, and treasured is the most essential protection that we offer.  Every community member - including parents and students - plays a significant role.  If you see or hear something that doesn't seem right to you, do not hesitate to reach out confidentially to a school counselor, administrator, or any adult at school.  Please reinforce the importance of this attentiveness to your son or daughter.  With your help, we hope to intervene in a supportive way prior to an incident where a student might harm him/herself or others.  Please note that our school counselors are trained to assist with mental health concerns and may be used as a source of recommendations and referrals if your student needs mental health support or assistance.  (Any confidential counseling support does not become a part of the student’s school record or college application.)

This summer has also brought news stories pertaining to accusations of past abuse at Bishop Guertin High School, involving events alleged to have occurred in the 80’s and 90’s.  The Bishop Guertin administration is unable to discuss the specifics of these cases while they are resolved through the legal process.  However, in the present day, Bishop Guertin is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all current students.  Every teacher and staff member undergoes a comprehensive background check prior to hiring, and any concerns are investigated and resolved at the start of employment.  All faculty and staff members complete annual training on student safety, abuse prevention, and mandatory reporting requirements.  Any reports of actions that may place students at risk are promptly investigated and, when warranted, reported to the appropriate authorities.  The school has established procedures to review our response to any allegation to ensure that student safety remains our highest priority.  Again, please do not hesitate to reach out at any time if you have any reason for concern - we rely on the instincts and the observations of every parent, student, and staff member as we strive to ensure a safe environment for our students.