Dear Vaughn Families,

Welcome back from break and Happy New Year!

We hope you had a restful holiday season. As we return to school, we’ve noticed many students bringing exciting new gifts from the holidays. This is a great time to remind everyone about PSD’s Telecommunications Policy, which prohibits the use of personal telecommunication devices during school hours. This policy aims to enhance the educational experience by minimizing distractions and maximizing learning time. While often viewed as a secondary-level issue, we’ve seen elementary students using these devices at school as well.
Here’s what you and your child need to know:

• Devices Not Allowed During the Day: Non-medical smartwatches, phones, and Bluetooth listening devices (e.g., AirPods, headphones) are not permitted in classrooms, hallways, at lunch, recess, or in restrooms.
• Elementary-Specific Practice: While the policy allows secondary students to access devices during lunch, this has not been, nor will it be, a practice at the elementary level. Elementary students do not need devices during the school day.
• Storage of Devices: Students should keep all devices in their backpacks to be used before and after school only. If your child must carry a device, it must remain in a pocket or on a necklace, out of sight and access.
• Policy Enforcement: Teachers will remind students about this policy throughout the week. If a student is reminded to put away a smartwatch, phone, or other device (including during bus line or parent pick-up), the device will be held by the school until the end of the day. For repeated violations, the device may be held until a guardian retrieves it, and a plan may need to be established.

If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call our main office, and we will relay your message. We cannot guarantee teachers will see messages in a timely manner, so urgent communication should go through the office.
Thank you for trusting us to care for your child and for supporting this district policy. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For more details, you can review the linked policies below:

• Board Policy 3245: Students and Telecommunication Devices
• Board Procedure 3245p: Students and Telecommunication Devices

Thank you for your partnership.
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Sincerely,
Kelli