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For Parents: Cell Phone/Electronics Resources, Support & School Cell Phone Policy
For Parents: Cell Phone/Electronics Resources, Support & School Cell Phone Policy
Parents, you do not have to feel alone, let alone feel helpless, frustrated or anxious with cell phone use for your daughter or son (or even yourself!). This page is meant for you to find more about:
our school policy on cell phones and electronics
the current science and findings on cell phones, other electronic device and the media associated with it all.
answers to your questions on what certain apps may entail and how to set up healthy boundaries
suggestions on how you may want to approach and manage electronic devices and discussions with your son or daughter.
What We Really Need From You!
What We Really Need From You!
As educators, we trust you discuss with your child what healthy boundaries and safe use of electronic devices involve both for use at home and at school. We also need for you to be aware of our cell phone & electronics policy at our school. You can find this policy by clicking here.
This resource has been created because of how cell phones, electronic devices (tablets and laptops), certain apps and social media are negatively impacting the learning environment of the school. These same things are also negatively impacting the health, wellness and happiness of our students too.
We have some solutions, however, and we want to ensure we all work together so to offer the most we can to the student body we are entrusted with as educators!
Valuable Resources
Valuable Resources
Common Sense Media is an excellent resource for you to stay aware of the latest regarding a variety of media types. We have included a bunch of their material listed below for you. The Center for Human Technology is another phenomenal resource we have included below too! We encourage parents to discuss cell phones, electronic devices and their use with administrators, educational assistance and/or teachers too!
In the meantime:
Discuss with your daughter or son about what you expect their use of cell phones/electronics at school should be and set consequences with them should he/she not follow them
Have you protected your own passwords
Do not text or call students during class time, but only do so outside of class time (click here for the daily schedule). If there is a family emergency, feel free to call the school where they can immediately forward the phone call directly to the class.
Learn about social media and other apps, regarding their capacity, appropriateness and harm
Monitor distractions from cell phones or computers, where students try to study or do work with them (look for minimized windows)
Understand the effects of screen time on student focus and quality of sleep (consider having a spot where cell phones are places outside of the bedroom at night)
Discuss and set up healthy boundaries surrounding electronics and simply limit screen time
"You know your kids. We know media and tech. Together we can build a digital world where our kids can thrive.
Families and teachers everywhere trust Common Sense for expert reviews, objective advice, helpful tools, and so much more."
6 Ways to Help Your Kids Stop Multitasking During Homework
The New Normal: Parents, Teens, and Devices Around the World
Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences
Technology Addiction: Concern, Controversy, and Finding Balance
Social Media, Social Life: How Teens View Their Digital Lives
"The Center for Humane Technology (CHT) is an independent nonprofit organization whose aim is to drive a comprehensive shift toward humane technology by changing the way technologists think about their work and how they build products. We’re creating the conditions for a new race to the top to realign technology with humanity."
A summary of the latest findings (All the Science)
Tools & Reminders For Parents (An excellent guide)
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Mindfulness & Wellbeing
Mindfulness & Wellbeing
Want an amazing guided meditation app but may not be able to afford a subscription to one? Check out Waking Up!
Sam (the creator of this app) never wants money to be the actual reason why someone isn’t using the Waking Up app. So if you truly cannot afford a subscription, they say to please email them at info@wakingup.com, and they will provide you with a free account!
Here is a thorough summary regarding a variety of aspects on The Latest on Teen Cell Phone Addiction
Note, the above links may or may not fully represent the views of the school or that of the school district and are meant to be simply resources you may or may not want to use.
MOUNT DOUG CELL PHONE/ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY (for the full version, click here)
Electronics are not to be used during class time; these should be kept in backpacks or lockers. (“Off and Away Guidelines”)
These devices must not interfere with a productive learning environment.
Unless given permission by the classroom teacher (digital devices may be used in class by students at the teacher’s discretion), the student code of conduct requires that all students keep their cell phones/electronic devices turned off and stored in a backpack or purse during instructional time.
Students who choose not to abide by this rule can expect the following series of consequences to be enforced:
The first time a student uses his/her cell phone/electronic device during class time, the teacher will contact the parents with a reminder of the school’s policy and a request that they discuss with their child the importance of keeping his/her phone/device off and away.
The second time a student uses his/her cell phone/electronic device during class time, the teacher will confiscate the device and the student will collect it from the office at the end of the day.
The third time a student uses his/her cell phone/electronic device during class time, the student and his/her parents will be asked to contact an administrator/counselor to work out a solution for the continued misuse.
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