Manzanola School District 3J

We are writing to share an important update on how we will support our existing Electronic Communication policy in the coming school year.

Over time, as students have understandably grown more attached to their devices, consistent enforcement has become harder to maintain, and phones have increasingly found their way back into instructional time. Starting this August, we are recommitting to this policy with new, consistent procedures to ensure our students get the most out of their educational experience.

What's Changing
● Each morning, students in grades 7-11 will turn in their phones, which will be stored securely in locked boxes managed by our paraprofessional staff.
● Phones will be returned to students at the end of the school day.
● Seniors may keep their phone on their person, provided it stays turned off and out of sight throughout the day. If this expectation is not met, seniors will also turn in their phones each morning.
● Our teachers and staff will also be refraining from personal phone use during instructional time, so that we are modeling the same expectations we are asking of students.

When This Begins
We will roll out the new procedures in two phases. Beginning Monday, August 17, students in grades 7 and 8 will begin following the new procedures. The following week, beginning Monday, August 24, students in grades 9
through 11 will begin as well. For full details, please visit our informational page at http://o/msd/page/cell-phone-policy. If you need to reach your child during the school day, you may also call 719-462-5528.

Why We Are Making This Change
We know decisions like this can raise questions, so we want to share some of the research and observations that have shaped our thinking. Many districts across our state, including several in our local area, as well as districts
across the country, are moving to bell-to-bell phone-free policies, and we expect more to follow. A growing number of school leaders nationally report that cell phones are getting in the way of learning: one recent federal survey
found that a majority of public-school leaders believe cell phones negatively affect academic performance, with even more citing effects on attention and mental health. Research reviews on school phone restrictions have found
associations with improved academic achievement, particularly for students who are already struggling or come from lower-income households, along with reductions in behavioral referrals and teacher-reported improvements in
student attentiveness and engagement following restriction. We also want to be transparent: research in this area is still developing, and some studies have found mixed results when it comes to phone bans and measures like student
mental health. That said, the research consistently supports what our own staff and students have observed firsthand: a classroom free of phone-related distractions is one where students can be more present, more engaged, and more connected to each other and to their learning.

Our Commitment to Students
We want to be clear about our intent: this change is about supporting our students, not restricting them. Our goal is to provide a safe, focused, and effective learning environment where every student has the chance to be fully
present, build stronger relationships with peers and teachers, and get the most out of their time in our classrooms. We understand that phones also play an important role in family communication and safety, and our front offices remain reachable at all times if you need to reach your student, or your student needs to reach you, during the school day. Parents may call 719-462-5528 at any point during the school day to reach their child.

We Understand This May Be an Adjustment
We recognize this change may feel difficult at first, both for students who are used to having their phones close by, and for families who value being able to reach their student throughout the day. Change of any kind takes time, and
we do not expect this to be an exception. We will be closely monitoring how this policy is working, gathering feedback from students, staff, and families, and making adjustments where needed. Our intent throughout is simple:
to better meet our students' needs and support their success, both in and out of the classroom. We are grateful for this community's continued partnership and support as we work through this transition together. If
you have questions or feedback at any point, please do not hesitate to reach out.