Dear Monroe School District staff and families,

Throughout the many listening sessions, focus groups, and small group meetings we've conducted this year with students, families, staff, and community members, a recurring concern has surfaced across all groups: the use of personal electronic devices (cell phones, headphones, smartwatches, etc.) by students at school and its impact on their learning, behavior, and social engagement.

One of the key objectives in our new five-year strategic plan is “Building school and classroom communities where all students are acknowledged, valued, feel safe, and know they belong.” To help achieve this objective, a crucial strategy is the development of a district-wide policy regarding personal electronic device use in school. Such a policy would aim to foster a safe and connected school environment that enhances academic focus and engagement.

To support this goal and address the concerns we’ve heard, our school board is considering developing a district-wide policy on the use of personal electronic devices in our schools. To help inform their consideration of developing such a policy, we are collecting the input of staff, families, and students in grades 6-12. If you would like to share input, you are invited to participate in our ThoughtExchange survey by responding to the following question:

What should we consider when developing a policy on the use of personal electronic devices (cell phones, headphones, smart watches, etc) in schools?

The ThoughtExchange survey is completely anonymous and will be open until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10. You are encouraged to share as many thoughts as you’d like and rate the thoughts of others. While we review all contributions, rating thoughts helps us understand the collective priorities of our staff, families, and students. 

Share your thoughts here.

Your input will be reviewed by the school board at their workshop on Monday, May 13 at 4:00 p.m. During this session, the board will also examine sample personal electronic device policies from other districts and engage in discussions on developing a policy for the Monroe School District. The board workshop is open to the public, and you are welcome to attend either in-person at the District Administration Office or via Zoom. 

Thank you for your valuable input and ongoing support in creating a positive and conducive learning environment for our students.

Sincerely,

Shawn Woodward
Superintendent