The following is an important message from Principal William Rivers:
As we look forward to the 2021-22 school year, we want to make everyone aware of our updated cell phone policy. Students are required to leave all mobile devices in their lockers at the start of the day and they can be retrieved prior to dismissal. During the school day, students are not permitted to access their cell phones. If a student is using their cell phone, a school monitor will be called to collect the phone and the monitor will then turn the device over to our Director of Security, Issac Cancer. Mr. Cancer will then contact the parent/guardian to inform them of the infraction and the phone can be collected from the front office at your convenience.
As a technology forward school, it is a top priority of ours to teach and promote appropriate digital citizenship and that includes limiting cell phone use to appropriate times. Our teachers and staff have overwhelmingly agreed that a consistent and school-wide expectation will help students stay more present and engaged in their learning. Our intent is to support our scholars in realizing their academic success, remove a major temptation and promote positive face-to-face social interactions and connection. A cell-phone on a desk - even when switched to silent mode - is a distraction for everyone in the classroom, not just the student to whom it belongs.
If a student needs to contact a parent/guardian during the school day, teachers will issue passes to the office where the student may use the office phone during their lunch periods. Of course, any emergency will be directly communicated from the school to our families. In addition, if a parent/guardian wishes to reach the student, or have a message relayed to the student during school hours, please feel free to call the main office at (518) 475-6425.
Thank you all for your support and we are looking forward to a successful school year. If you have any questions, as always, please feel free to contact me.
