Below is a statement from the New London Community School district ahead of the upcoming school year…
The New London Middle and High School has seen an increase in issues regarding cell phones/personal electronics around social media, student focus, student mental health, and student behaviors. Therefore, during the upcoming school year, the New London Community School District will be moving to a policy where we will not allow cell phones/personal electronics during the school day. We do recognize that cell phones can be a safety measure in getting to and from school, so we are providing the following plan:
1. Phones and all personal electronics must be turned off during the day and placed in the student’s bag or locker. At no time is a device allowed to be out or used during the school day.
2. Students will only be able to use their cell phones and other personal electronic devices (headphones, tablets, smart watches, etc) before the first bell of the school day and after the final bell of the school day.
3. This policy will not limit the use of a personal computer that is needed for coursework.
It is our goal that this plan will ensure that students will have access to the benefits of a phone/electronic device while walking, driving, or riding the bus to and from school. In addition, they will have their phone when school is dismissed in the case they need to stay after school for an event.
If a student does need to communicate with parents during the school day, a phone is available to them outside the office in the main hall.
To help accomplish this goal, please remind your students to have your phone numbers memorized or written down so that they can contact you during the day if needed. If parents need to communicate with students, they can call the office or send an email to their child, which the student can return at an appropriate time.
The consequences of bringing a cell phone/electronic device to school and having it out/using it will be as follows:
1. For the first offense, the cell phone/electronic device will be confiscated and turned in at the MSHS office until the end of the school day.
2. For the second offense, the cell phone/electronic device will be confiscated and turned in to the MSHS office until a parent/guardian claims it from the office.
3. For the third violation the cell phone/electronic device will be confiscated and turned in to the MSHS office until a parent/guardian claims it from the office and a one-day out-of-school suspension will be assigned. For each subsequent violation, the number of days of suspension will increase by 2 days.
*Failure by the student to relinquish their cell phone/electronic device at any time will result in an automatic out-of-school suspension. For the first offense it will be one day out-of-school suspension. For each subsequent offense it will increase by two days.
*Administration reserves the right to accelerate consequences/levels of offense if it is determined that the violation is severe enough.
As always, our focus is supporting students by using practices that foster a safe and nurturing environment where all students learn at high levels. Your support and understanding is appreciated.
Clark Elementary’s Handbook
Cell Phone Policy
New London Community School District’s cell phone policy states that cell phones/personal electronics are prohibited during the school day. If students need to communicate with parents during the school day, they should come to the office to contact them, during non-instructional times. Should parents need to communicate with students, they can call the office, and school staff will pass along the information. As always, our focus is supporting students by using practices that foster a safe and nurturing environment where all students learn at high levels. Your support and understanding are appreciated.
1. Any cell phone seen or heard, during the instructional day (8:15-3:30) will be taken and kept at the office. The phone will be returned to the student at the end of the day.
2. A second violation will result in school-administered consequences and the phone will be kept at the office until a parent comes in to pick it up. The student is required to turn their phone/electronic device to the office each morning for 15 school days.
3. A third violation will result in school-administered consequences and the phone will be kept at the office until a parent comes in to pick it up. The student is required to turn their phone/electronic device to the office each morning for 30 school days.
4. A fourth violation will result in the cell phone being confiscated and turned in to the office until a parent claims it from the office. and a one-day suspension will be assigned. The student is required to turn their phone/electronic device to the office each morning for the rest of the school year.