Thanks for reaching out. I was not clear in my email and Dr. Downey will clarify in her next family update. Phones can remain in backpacks at High Rock. Sorry for the confusion! Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 *He/His/Him* 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子 的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок. On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 7:03 PM Deborah Toffler <deborahtoffler@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello, Great first day for my kids today - thank you!

I’m looking for clarification on the cell phone policy. I read below that cell phones are not allowed at school (other than the high school) and must be left at home. The High Rock policy indicates that phones must be off and in backpacks in lockers.

Thanks in advance for your help in clarifying whether students can store their devices in their lockers during the school day.

Take care, Deborah Toffler

On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 4:36 PM Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update <superintendents_update@lists.needham.k12.ma.us> wrote:

...

Dear Needham Public Schools Families:

Welcome back to a new school year! We have been excited to welcome back over 5,600 students today.

In anticipation of the new school year allow me to share important information and ways for you to stay connected and informed:

*• Annual Parent Letter *This parent and family letter <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hJn_yiUZrJ8kTVXwTMhlEB6w4d7dM5gJzvgM22wkD50/edit?usp=sharing> provides detailed information on school resources, policies, and programs that impact your child. Please review its contents!

*• Cell Phones/Watches in School *Please note that students in grades K-8 are prohibited from bringing personal electronics to school, including cell phones, wearable watches (e.g., AppleWatch, etc.) These devices belong at home and will be taken from children as necessary and returned later. Students in grades 9-12 may bring a phone, but it must be stored in a phone hotel <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KHfhOhceiHq1ZWteadMNbWg4zQwYQPg-HGioQzPa-Y4/edit?usp=sharing> during class. For more information about what we are thinking about in regards to phones and student wellbeing in the schools: Generation Distracted or Connected? <https://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/>

• *X (formerly Twitter) *One way to stay in touch about the latest school news, *including weather-related school closings* or other important information, is on *X* (formerly Twitter). Go to: https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt to sign up. I look forward to sharing with you and hearing from you in the school year ahead.

*• 10 Minutes with... *Every five weeks or so I film a brief and ten minute video featuring the students, staff, and community members who lead and contribute to the success of the Needham Public Schools. The brief videos provide insight and perspective about our work in the schools. You can find an archive of videos here, including a recent conversation with two of our retiring teachers: 10 Minutes with... <https://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/10_minutes_with____>

*• Superintendent's Blog *I post to my blog monthly, and I encourage you to check it out: Superintendent's Blog <https://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/>

*• Stay in Touch with Your School Committee! *Needham is fortunate to have a seven member elected board <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tM22__mTEnQLQIlGuYcQgcJ5u9lAGTpNR3igTPfftmA/edit?usp=sharing> who want to hear from you. You can attend public meetings or email the Committee: schoolcommittee@needham.k12.ma.us More information about the School Committee's roles and responsibilities can be found on the district's website: Needham School Committee <https://www.needham.k12.ma.us/district_info/school_committee>

Here's to a superb school year for the students, staff and all the families of the Needham Public Schools!

Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1330+Highland+Avenue,+Needham,+MA+02492?entry=gmail&source=g> *He/His/Him* 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance.

Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子 的学校联系。

Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia.

Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок. _______________________________________________ Superintendents_update mailing list To unsubscribe to this list please click the link below.

https://lists.needham.k12.ma.us/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/superintendents_upd...