School Policy Reminders
CURRENT CELL PHONE POLICY:
At South Loop School our cell phone policy is very simple: upon arrival, all cell phones must be turned off and stored in backpacks or lockers only until dismissal.
Cell phone usage during class is detrimental to the academic gains we are seeking to make since returning from pandemic learning. We know our students grew even more reliant on technology and social media throughout their remote learning experience, and so we continue to ask our parents to partner with us in ensuring that the learning environment at school is as free from distractions as possible. Please do not text students during school hours and do not allow students to call or text you during school hours. These actions undermine our school policy and give students permission not to follow our school rules.
If we continue to address the cell phone policy with students this school year, our next steps will be to collect and store cell phones prior to the start of each class.
Cell phones must be turned off and stored at all times when on the school bus, on school property or inside the school building. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in discipline according to the Student Bill of Rights.
Cell phones cannot be out for any reason during school hours/school activities (recess, lunch, bathroom breaks and morning drop off).
In the event of an emergency only, please contact the main office for communication with your child(ren). Please do not call or text your child during school hours. Please do not encourage your child to call or text you during school hours: lunch hours, recess breaks, or during school led activities.
Any student who does not adhere to this policy will have the following consequences:
1st and 2nd offenses: Cell phones will be confiscated and returned to a parent/guardian.
3rd and beyond offenses: Cell phones will be confiscated, returned to a parent/guardian and students will be issued a 1-day or more after-school, before school or Saturday detention.
Increasing amounts of candy and gum
We are seeing an uptick in students bringing candy, gum and red dye chips to school. Empty paper wrappings in the restrooms, in the halls and on the stairwells. Gum on the gym floor, stairwells and underneath desk and tables. These items are banned for several reasons:
- Does not promote healthy eating
- Research the effects of red dye to the body
- Sugary candy/gum left behind draws rodents and bugs. The two things I’m sure you don’t want brought home and I don’t want an infestation in the school.
- Sugary candy gives initial sugar high leading to hyperactivity and lack of focus
- Dropped gum to destroy the gym floors and the stair’s rubber.
Please help to implement these policies by doing regular checks of your child’s lunch bags, book bag, purse, coat pockets, and school pants pockets for any of these items. Also, have regular conversation with them not to sneak these items into school.
School Policy:
We are a peanut and nut free, candy and junk food free school. Our nut-free policy includes all* tree nuts. In order to ensure the safety of all children, please adhere to this school-wide policy, refraining from all nut products. Some nut alternatives in lieu of peanut butter or almond butter include sunflower seed spread (sun butter) or soy nut butter, as neither contain nuts.
For pre-packaged lunches (like a Lunchables), any candy, gum, or nut products must be removed prior to sending to school.
*all tree nuts including peanuts, almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts