The Pirate – HJSD Newsletter April 2019

I took some observation time the last few weeks watching our students at Hagerman High School with their cell phones. I observed how students take multiple pictures of themselves to use on SnapChat. How students would look at their phones momentarily, only to have seconds go by before their impatient behavior prompted them to pick them up to look at them again. I observed students take multiple bathroom breaks in order to answer texts, or watch videos (which I heard in the stall) on their phones. I observed students try to use cell phones for educational purposes only to be distracted by notifications from social media apps. Students who were using their phones during break and lunch were having a hard time focusing after those breaks because of interrupted texting conversations due to class time. So I did some research on cell phones and students and this was a quote I found from a research finding, “These findings,” he added, “should alert the many dedicated students and instructors that dividing attention is having an insidious effect that is impairing their exam performance and final grade.” LACK OF RETENTION, due to cell phones, seemed to be a conclusive finding. The study even covered how other students who did not have a cell phone were being distracted from others who had a cell phone.

As an administrator I recognize our tired students who are staying up all night on phones (or games). I have teachers concerned about students lack of focus in the classrooms because they are tired or distracted. I recognize students have to look at their phones so many times in the day it is effecting their academic outcome….students are taking any chance they get to check a social media app. It would baffle me to know how many times a student looks at their phone during a school day. As an administrator it concerns me more because I really don’t know if students are struggling with subject material, or if they are so consumed by the use of their cell phones they are unable to focus.

Parents, we need your help. Here are some steps that could help curb this type of addictive behavior and help your students be more attentive, successful, and alert while attending

Hagerman High School:

· Turn cell phones off at night. Too many students are using phones till early morning hours. Ask your child and even check on them.

· Help support the Hagerman High School cell phone policy. It was designed as a compromise with students to allow them to use them for breakfast and lunch. Many schools are banning the use of cell phones in schools.

· Please don’t contact your student during school instruction time. The students know when they have cell phone use time. Have them contact you, or if it is an emergency please contact the front office.

I think some of these steps will help put us in a more positive direction to help our students academically in the classrooms. If you have any input on what we can do to help this phenomenon, I would appreciate your ideas. Here are some of our own things we are doing at Hagerman HS to help alleviate this distraction:

· Faculty and staff education on cell phone use in the classroom. All teachers should have pockets that students put their cell phones in at the beginning of class. Cell phones should not be used during instruction time.

· As an administrator I am going to get some charging strips to put by these pockets so students can charge their phones without discipline actions.

· The Hagerman School Board is in favor of having cell phones out of the classrooms and more controlled for student learning.

I appreciate your support and taking the time to investigate the school. Your child’s success is very important to us. I encourage any parent to stop in and visit Hagerman High School during a school day to observe what students are learning in the classroom. You are welcome in any classroom. We want you to hold us accountable for giving your children a high quality education. We want you to be involved. Thank you.