EMS is a "Personal Device Free School!"

EMS has gone totally "personal" device free for students AND staff.  We need to model what's appropriate.  I would encourage you at home to do the same thing.  When you're out to eat, on walks, or just resting in the livingroom...try to not use your cell phone.  Will there be bumps along the way...absolutely.  We need to work together to meet this important decision.

 Questions you may have and how will we respond to cell phone infractions.

• How will my son/daughter be able to contact me? There is a phone in every room as well as the main office.  We have never said to a child they cannot call home. (Unless we have worked out a plan with you ahead of time.)

• How can you contact them? Call the office (802 879-7173) or email Elisha (ehall@ewsd.org) We can get any message to any child.

• What about during sports/buses?  The students will be able to use them until they get to the front door in the morning and then again after 3:15 at dismissal.  Coaches and Mr. Baker have your contact information.  They will often use this as means of keeping you up-to-date.

• Where will they be able to keep them during the day? We are not "frisking" students.  I would encourage students to keep them in their backpacks but I also understand if they feel differently.  They just should not be visible.  From first hand experience, when that phone vibrates in your pocket...you forget what's going on around you and you "must" look to see what's happening.  Another reason to encourage them to be in their backpack.

• What happens if they have thier phone out? We will simply ask them to put it away and remind them of the rule.  If it happens again, they will be asked to hand over the phone and it will be brought to the office.  The phone will be placed in its own envelope, identified and locked in a drawer.  At the end of the day, they can pick up their phone.  Each time this occurs the office will keep track.  After the fourth time and on, you will be asked to come and pick up the phone.  We will work with you to come up with a solution...it may include handing off their phone first thing in the morning with dedicated times to check.

• What happens if they "refuse" to give up their phone?  We're not going to get into a power struggle as this will distract the rest of the class and take away from instruction. The office will be notified and we will be making a phone call to you asking you to come into school either that day or first thing the next morning to have a conversation together with your child.  Again, we need to work together.

• What about field trips or exceptions?  Like the rest of the world...it's never easy.  We will let children know when it's appropriate.