EMS Personal Device Policy

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 3:35 at dismissal. Coaches and our athletic director 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? Each homeroom teacher has a lockbox for students to put their phones in.

  • What happens if they have their 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 the lockbox behind Ms. Hall’s desk. At the end of the day, they can pick up their phone. If the student doesn’t hand in their phone a third time, the phone will be given to Ms. Hall and an administrator will contact home to discuss a plan with the family to ensure this is not an issue in the future.

  • What happens if they "refuse" to give up their phone? If, at any point, a student refuses to hand their phone in, parents will be notified and a plan will be created for that moment and the future.

  • What about field trips? Phones are not to be used during field trips.