Cellphone Policy

Hello Families,

We are writing to update you on our cellphone policy.  In the past weeks, the Sterling teachers have been part of a larger conversation around cellphone use in school.  The administration has been working with several teams to reach a consensus for addressing cellphone use as a school.   Recently, two teams have begun a cellphone-free policy during the school day.  Last week we had multiple incidents of students using their phones to text classmates while in school.  As a result of this, the Sterling teachers have decided to implement a new policy regarding cellphones in school:

• Students may have their cellphone out on the bus and in the lobby in the morning while waiting to be released to their classrooms.
• Once students are on Sterling their phone must be either kept in their backpack (hanging in the classrooms) or given to their core teacher to be kept secure during the school day.
• If a student needs to contact a parent or family member, the student needs to check in with their core or classroom teacher before using the phone.  The phone then needs to be returned to their backpack or secure place.
• If families need to get in touch with their student at any time during the day, please call the front office and use the following extensions to reach Sterling:

Cindy Brady:  6161

Jared Bailey:  6164

Amy Durant:   6166

Dan Johnson:  6167

Joy Peterson: 6163

Michael Willis: 6168

• If a student has a cellphone out without permission, the first offense will be a reminder, and the phone will be given back to the student at the end of the day.  If there is a second offense, the phone will be given to Mrs. Brady and families will be notified to come to school to pick it up. 

The new policy will take place starting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 7th.  We hope that families support our decision, and with us help students to understand that the school setting is not the place for communicating via cellphone.  We have so much to do, and we don't need the distraction of cell phones.  Thank you so much for your support!

The Sterling Teachers