Dear Parents and Guardians,
Mount Vernon City Schools Announces Free Meals for All Students
The Board of Education of Mount Vernon City Schools is excited to announce that all students will receive FREE breakfast and lunch for the 2024-2025 school year. The District applied for and was awarded a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) grant, making this possible. Student academic fees will also be waived for the 2024-2025 school year.
Mount Vernon City Schools Announces New Cell Phone Policy
In conjunction with this announcement, the Board is implementing a new cell phone policy to foster a more focused and engaged learning environment for all students. This policy will take effect at the start of the upcoming school year and reflects our commitment to enhancing student learning and well-being in alignment with our mission to ignite students’ passion for learning, cultivate a strong foundation of knowledge, and foster a sense of community within our schools.
Policy Objective
The primary goal of this policy is to strengthen Mount Vernon City Schools' focus on learning by minimizing distractions caused by cell phones. By limiting cell phone use during school hours, we aim to support an environment where students can fully engage with their classmates, teachers, and instructional activities.
Research Support
Extensive research highlights the negative impact of cell phone use on student performance and mental health. Studies have shown that cell phones can distract students from classroom instruction, leading to smaller learning gains and lower test scores. Additionally, increased cell phone use has been associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders in children. Cyberbullying, facilitated by instant messaging and social media platforms, exacerbates these issues, contributing to anxiety and depression. Furthermore, constant access to cell phones reduces essential face-to-face interactions, which are crucial for developing social skills. Our structured cell phone policy aims to mitigate these risks, creating a safer and more focused learning environment.
Applicability and Grade-Level Policies
This policy applies to students' cell phone use on school property during school hours, tailored to students' age and maturity levels through grade-level bands.
- Elementary School (Grades K-5):
- Policy: Cell phones are prohibited from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
- Rationale: Encourages focus on learning and social interactions without distractions.
- Middle School (Grades 6-8):
- Policy: Cell phones are prohibited during class periods, Flex, and lunch. Limited use is allowed during the 3-minute transition times for parent communications.
- Rationale: Provides limited opportunities for phone use to minimize distractions while allowing necessary parent contact.
- High School (Grades 9-12):
- Policy: Cell phones are prohibited during class periods, HIVE, and study hall. Limited use is allowed during the 4-minute transition times and at lunch.
- Rationale: Offers more flexibility while ensuring academic time is prioritized.
Emergency Communication
We understand parents' concerns regarding constant contact in emergencies. The district has protocols to notify students if parents call the office quickly. Students can use the office phone to contact parents in case of a school emergency. An emergency is defined as any situation where a student's immediate safety, health, or well-being is at risk and requires urgent communication or action.
Cell Phone Storage
Students must keep their cell phones in a secure place, such as a locker, closed backpack, or a secured cell phone pouch provided by the district, at all times when cell phone use is prohibited. The secured cell phone pouch is the property of MVCSD; students will be responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged pouches.
Progressive Discipline for Policy Violations
- First Offense:
- Action: Student receives a warning.
- Contact: Family is notified.
- Procedure: The phone is placed in a secured pouch until the end of the day.
- Second Offense:
- Action: Lunch detention.
- Contact: Family is notified.
- Procedure: The phone is placed in a secured pouch until the end of the day.
- Third Offense:
- Action: Loss of cell phone privilege during school.
- Contact: Family is notified.
- Procedure: Phone stays at home or checked in at the office.
- Further violations may result in increased disciplinary action, including suspension or referral to law enforcement.
Policy Review and Modifications
The cell phone policies will be reviewed regularly to ensure they meet the needs of students, parents, and the educational environment. The district reserves the right to modify these policies based on new research, feedback, and changing circumstances.
This policy is designed to create a focused learning environment while addressing the communication needs of parents and students. We are confident that this will enhance the educational experience for all Mount Vernon City Schools students.
Sincerely,
William Seder Jr.
Superintendent, Mount Vernon City Schools