We have been closely monitoring weather conditions and conferring with other local agencies and our operational staff. All D303 schools will be open and operating on a normal schedule tomorrow–Tuesday, Jan. 21. We anticipate and are working to ensure regular operations on our busing routes and in our school buildings. We encourage staff and families to dress for subzero temperatures. As always, families have the option of keeping their children home if they believe the weather is too cold to be outside.
District 303 is engaging staff, families and community members in developing a comprehensive cell phone and technology procedure that supports and balances our academic, social and emotional expectations for excellence for each student. The ongoing process is being spearheaded by a Superintendent Community Advisory Group and is focusing on the prospect of District 303 moving toward phone-free classrooms.
View: Advisory Group Charge Statement
Members of the group will read Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on social media and mental health. Members will also take part in multiple meetings and discussions during the fall 2024 semester. Additional feedback will be sought later this semester through a community-wide survey.
More than 130 individuals submitted applications to be apart of the cell phone advisory group, and from those applicants more than half were selected to participate. The group is made up of approximately 70 people, including 44 parents, 10 staff members, 13 students, and 4 community members. Diverse viewpoints are sought in order to determine the best solutions. Selected members indicated on their applications that they were in favor, against and undecided on phone-free classrooms.
Meetings of the Cell Phone Advisory Group will be held at 6PM on the following days:
- Wednesday, September 25
- Wednesday, October 23
- Wednesday, November 13
- Wednesday, December 11
- Wednesday, January 22