Week #23- February 3, 2025
As MES enters a new week, I want to highlight two Rockingham County School Board policies related directly to students. Please take a few minutes to read the information below. The links provided will also allow access to the full policy for your review.
At the most recent School Board meeting, the Board voted to update Policy JZK Use of Student-Owned Electronic Devices. The most relevant changes to the policy are included here with key phrases underlined.
High school, middle school, and elementary school students may NOT use personally owned electronic devices during the school day.
Student-owned electronic devices are not permitted to be used on field trips unless prior permission has been granted by the school principal.
Student-owned electronic device use on buses is subject to Transportation Department safety guidelines.
The policy also provides a description for devices that fall under this policy.
"Personally owned electronic device" means any device that is used for audio, video, or text communication or any other portable communication device that can be used to receive or transmit electronic information that is not owned or issued by the school division. These devices include but are not limited to laptops, tablets, iPods, iPads, cell phones, smartphones, wireless headphones, smart watches, gaming devices, virtual reality devices, etc.
Exceptions to this policy are made for certain students with communication needs and/or medical conditions relying on devices for monitoring the condition. Students with the exception are expected to follow Acceptable Use guidelines outlined in Policy IIBEA-R Technology Use Guidelines.
Also, policy JCFI Student Dress Code states that hats and hoods are not to be worn inside school buildings. We have worked to address this individually throughout the year, but I have seen an increase lately in students wearing hats and hoods. I will review this expectation with students this week on the morning announcements and will ask MES teachers and staff to ensure that students are adhering to the policy throughout the day.
If you have questions about either of these policies, or other policies for that matter, please contact me through the MES office or through email.
Thank you for continuing to help make MES a great place! Have an awesome week!
Other Announcements/Reminders from the MES Office:
10-Day Attendance Challenge begins this week! All students with perfect attendance February 3-14 will receive free ice cream and will be entered into a drawing for other prizes.
ERHS Presents PETER PAN. Three Shows: February 20 - 22 @ 7pm, February 23 @ 3pm. Tickets
Duke Dog Reading Program- Click HERE for complete information.
MES Library Information: Library Catalog Tutorial explains how families can access the MES Library Catalog and how to use the search, history and hold features of the catalog. Learn more at the MES Library Website.
Attendance Tip: The February 10-Day Attendance Challenge kicks off this week. Remind students of the challenge as they prepare for bed the night before. February and March include two stretches of full weeks in which teachers will seek to make great progress academically.
Parent & Family Resources & Information:
Activities & Events at MES:
National School Counseling Appreciation Week- February 3-7
MES PTO Meeting- February 5
Kindness Week- February 10-14
Vision Screenings- February 14 (tentative)
Elementary Teacher Inservice Day/No School for Students- February 17
Elementary Parent Conferences Day/No School for Students- February 18
MES PTO Glow Run- February 21