Take Action
FES Parents:
1) Sign the Wait Until 8th Pledge
Note, this means wait until AFTER 8TH GRADE (i.e. high school) for smartphones. Basic phones and tracking watches are okay! (But not in school.)
2) Recruit friends to sign the pledge and to sign up for the FB group/ email list
3) Sign the petition to ban cell phones at Falmouth Schools.
4) Contact building administrators with any concerns about technology use at FES. (Note: we have been told by the Administration that cell phones/devices are generally not an issue at FES, and are not often seen in the school outside of lockers, but it would be great to get more input on this, especially for the older grades.)
Co-Principal (PreK-2): Stacy White | stacy.white@falmouthschools.org
Co-Principal (3-5): Peg Armstrong | peg.armstrong@falmouthschools.org
Assistant Principal (K-2): Karen Walker | karen.walker@falmouthschools.org
Assistant Principal (3-5): Chelsea Hunnewell | chelsea.hunnewell@falmouthschools.org
Main Number: 207-781-3988
This is the current WRITTEN policy about cell phone use at FES:
“Student cell phone use is not allowed on buses or in school. Cell phones and smartwatches must be turned off and kept in the student’s backpack in their locker. If students are using their phone or smartwatch without permission during the school day, it will be taken and kept in the main office until the end of the school day. If this happens more than once, family/caregivers will be asked to pick up the device from the school. Cell phone use may be allowed at school-sponsored activities if under the direct supervision of an adult. Unauthorized digital photos from cell phones or other devices are prohibited.”*
*NOTE FROM MATT: Unfortunately, this policy is little more than wishful thinking. It relies on individual teachers to make a choice about how they spend class time - policing cellphones and smartwatches, or interacting with students. Even when devices are out of sight, studies show they still impact student concentration, students will find ways to use devices undetected, and mobile hotspots can be used to circumvent school internet filters. For all these reasons, a cellphone ban, is a more sensible approach.
4) Contact School Board Members to call for a ban of cell phones at Falmouth Schools:
schoolboard@falmouthschools.org
cc: Falmouth Superintendent: gmcnulty@falmouthschools.org
5) Attend a School Board meeting to express concerns.
FMS Parents:
1) ) Sign the petition to ban cell phones at Falmouth Schools.
2) Email administrators to request a cell phone ban during the school day:
Principal: Janet Adams | janet.adams@falmouthschools.org
Assistant Principal: Chris Hughes | chris.hughes@falmouthschools.org
Main Number: 207-781-3740
This is the current WRITTEN policy about cell phone use at FMS:
“Student cell phone use is not allowed during the school hours from 7:30 am - 2:30 pm. Cell phones must be turned off and kept in the student’s backpack in their locker. If students are using their phone or smart watch without permission during the school day, it will be taken and kept in the main office until the end of the school day. If this happens more than once, family/caregivers will be asked to pick up the device from the school. Cell phone use may be allowed at school-sponsored activities if under the direct supervision of an adult. Unauthorized digital photos from cell phones or other devices are prohibited.”**
**NOTE FROM MATT: Unfortunately, this policy is little more than wishful thinking. It relies on individual teachers to make a choice about how they spend class time - policing cellphones and smartwatches, or interacting with students. Even when devices are out of sight, studies show they still impact student concentration, students will find ways to use devices undetected, and mobile hotspots can be used to circumvent school internet filters. For all these reasons, a cellphone ban, is a more sensible approach.
3) Sign the Wait Until 8th Pledge
(Note, this means wait until AFTER 8TH GRADE (i.e. high school) for smartphones. Basic phones and tracking watches are ok to have, just not in school.)
4) Recruit friends to sign the pledge and to sign up for the FB group/ email list
5) Contact School Board Members to call for a ban of cell phones at Falmouth Schools:
schoolboard@falmouthschools.org
Please cc: Falmouth Superintendent: gmcnulty@falmouthschools.org
6) Attend a School Board meeting to express concerns.
FHS Parents:
1) ) Sign the petition to ban cell phones at Falmouth Schools.
2) Email administrators to request a cell phone ban during the school day:
Principal: Richard Gowers | richard.gowers@falmouthschools.org
Assistant Principal: Vicki Decker | vicki.decker@falmouthschools.org
Assistant Principal: Spencer Libby } spencer.libby@falmouthschools.org
Main Number: 207-781-7429
This is the current WRITTEN policy about cell phone use at FHS:
“Cell phones are not allowed to be used during class times and should be silenced during classes. A student’s phone may be confiscated if it is seen or used during inappropriate times or when classes are interrupted. Searches involving electronic devices can legitimately be done if administration has reason to suspect that the device contains evidence that the student violated the law or school rules..”***
***NOTE FROM MATT: Unfortunately, this policy is little more than wishful thinking. It relies on individual teachers to make a choice about how they spend class time - policing cellphones and smartwatches, or interacting with students. Even when devices are out of sight, studies show they still impact student concentration, students will find ways to use devices undetected, and mobile hotspots can be used to circumvent school internet filters. For all these reasons, a cellphone ban, is a more sensible approach.
4) Recruit friends to sign up for the FB group/ email list
5) Contact School Board Members to call for a ban of cell phones at Falmouth Schools:
schoolboard@falmouthschools.org
Please cc: Falmouth Superintendent: gmcnulty@falmouthschools.org
6) Attend a School Board meeting to express concerns.