Help Prepare Students - CY Cell Phone Policy

Dear Cal Young Families,

I hope this letter finds you well! As new principal at Cal Young, I am looking forward to working with our students, staff, parents/guardians, and CY community. In preparation for the school year ahead, we’d like to provide a reminder regarding expectations for student cell phone/electronic device use.

Starting this school year, students will be expected to keep their cell phones, and other personal electronic devices (including air pods/headphones) turned off and stored in lockers, including during lunch time. This expectation will be consistent across all 4J middle schools. Our goal is to better support the social, emotional, and academic needs of our students. While cell phones can offer convenience, our primary focus is on fostering a comprehensive development environment for our students.

Several key reasons why: 

Social and emotional well-being. Middle school is a critical time for identity development. Screen time and the constant distraction of a device can hinder the development of important interpersonal skills, effective communication, empathy, emotional resilience and conflict resolution. By reducing the constant presence of devices, we aim to create a more conducive environment for meaningful and positive peer interactions and to support students in developing strong relationships. 

Healthy digital habits. We recognize technology is a part of our students’ world and in middle school, students must learn how to use technology responsibly and in moderation. By incorporating technology into specific lessons and activities rather than allowing continuous access, we can guide students toward a balanced and mindful approach to technology use. 

Focused attention and concentration. Middle school is a time for building foundational academic skills. Limiting device use – whether it is a laptop, phone, or tablet – can help students develop better focus, concentration and thus, critical thinking abilities. We look forward to more engaged and connected classrooms through discussions and activities, both with and without technology. 

Our commitment to providing a well-rounded and supportive learning environment is at the heart of this decision. While technology remains an important tool, our new approach will enable teachers to thoughtfully incorporate it into their curriculum to enhance student learning outcomes. 

We will clearly communicate expectations to students at the beginning of (and throughout) the year in classrooms, hallways, and announcements. Families will still have opportunities to connect with their students during the school day through messages delivered through the office (as we did before the popularity of cell phones), as well as office phones available to students (within reasonable guidelines).  We ask that parents not text or call their students between the hours of 9:00am and 3:40pm (2:35pm on Wednesdays).  With all of our 4J middle schools having the same policy, this should make it easier for students to adjust to this new expectation.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we implement these expectations. We appreciate you taking some time to talk with your student about this change, helping them to prepare for the new school year.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. Together, we will work to ensure our students' middle school experience is marked by growth, development and meaningful connections. 

Sincerely,

Cal Young MS Principal

We ARE Cougars!!