As we reflect on our current practices and future plans at Columbia River High School, several key areas regarding smartphones have been identified through our compass protocol with Staffulty:
Established practice, Needs, Wonderings and Suggestions {ENWS}…
Established practices include effective communication with parents about positive classroom insights, consistent procedures and expectations, and proactive measures at the start of the year, such as setting school norms and utilizing phone bins or pouches.
Needs have been highlighted, including the need for clarity in directions from classroom teachers, support from administration and security, and stricter hallway pass protocols. Ensuring all staff are on board and garnering community support is also crucial.
In terms of wonderings, we are considering how to support students who need devices for medical reasons, addressing parent reactions, and the overall impact on student engagement. We are also curious about the strategies other schools are employing and ways to handle non-cooperative students with cell phone protocols.
Suggestions since the start of school involve assigning students to set alarms for phone collection, using table leaders to assist with attendance, and ensuring accountability. Numbering phone boxes and providing cards for students with medical issues can help streamline processes. Setting a good example as adults and including relevant information in substitute teacher lesson plans are also important steps for consistency of expectation.
We invite community members to engage in this discussion and participate in the same activity (Compass Protocol above) on Sept 9 at 6 pm and Sept 17 at 6 pm and Sept 26 at 5 pm in the Media Center prior to Curriculum Night/Open House, which starts at 6 pm.
Please click here to RSVP and let us know if you plan to attend.