Dear Parents/Guardians,
Technology has undoubtedly changed the landscape of parenting and education. It has created many opportunities as well as unprecedented challenges for parents and educators as we try to navigate our new world. For students it has sparked a mental health crisis, fractured attention spans, and contributed to a wave of learning and social emotional deficiencies.
As educators we strive to impact the lives of our students in positive ways. We serve as mentors, guides and inspirations. Providing a healthy community where students can learn the academic, social and emotional skills needed to transition to healthy, happy and thriving adults has always been at the core of our school community and our role as educators.
Phones have impaired our ability to provide a positive, inclusive and safe environment for all students where learning, focus, safety, community and belonging are prioritized. The presence of personal computers, cell phones, earbuds, and smartwatches has undermined the educational experience and the core values we strive to uphold.
Our jobs have been, and always will be, to put the education and wellbeing of our students above all else and therefore we will be moving to a full dayphone-free school plan. This means that phones must be turned off and stored away for the entire school day. Schools that have implemented all day policies are seeing positive classroom changes such as increased focus, attention, comprehension, engagement, less cheating and improved academic performance. Additionally, teachers and staff report enhanced face-to-face peer interactions, reduced cyberbullying, fewer fights, and a decrease in social media-induced drama. Students also experience less stress and anxiety.
We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t believe in its positive impact on our school community. By implementing this initiative, we aim to enhance our teaching and learning environment, fostering deeper connections and engagement among students and staff alike. We are committed to creating a healthier, more focused school culture where everyone can thrive. Our goal is to support a more meaningful and productive school experience, knowing that this change will benefit our students’ futures and contribute to their overall well-being.
Please find information on our new phone-free plan on the MVRHS website here. We know you may have some questions or concerns, so we are including important information that will help make this a smooth transition and ease any concern you may have. We understand that there will be situations when you need to contact your child during the school day. Parents and guardians can call the main office to have a message delivered to their student. Please note there are exceptions for students that require a cell phone for medical needs.
We are excited to move forward with this shared mission to provide the best educational experience possible for our students. As parents and guardians you are a vital piece of our community, and we look forward to working together to create the healthy academic and social environment all of our students deserve.
Sincerely,
Sara Dingledy, Principal
For parents/guardians who are interested in continuing this conversation at home, here are a few follow up questions you can ask your student to engage them in dialogue about this important topic:
- What are your biggest concerns or anxieties about being without your phone for 7 hours? How can we work together to address or mitigate those concerns?
- How do you feel about the idea of being more present in the moment without the distraction of your phone? What might be some positive outcomes of this change?
- What do you think would make this transition easier for you and your peers? Is there anything you’d like to suggest to your school to help with the adjustment?
- How can we, as a family, support each other in adapting to this new policy? Are there any changes we should consider at home to make this transition smoother?
- How do you think being phone-free might change your daily routine, both in school and at home? What adjustments do you anticipate needing to make?
- What do you rely on your phone for the most during the school day? How do you think you’ll manage those needs without it?
- Are there any coping strategies you’ve thought about for times when you might feel frustrated or anxious about not having your phone? How can we help you practice or develop those strategies?