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The following email was sent to parents on Thursday, August 1, 2024

‍August 1, 2024

Dear Students, Parents, and Employees of Weber School District,

Welcome back to a new and exciting school year! We eagerly anticipate greeting our wonderful students, educators, support staff, and school leaders in the coming days! We hope this message finds you refreshed and ready for the wonderful opportunities ahead. As a reminder, the first day of school is Wednesday, August 21st. The first three days of school will be half-days. As we begin this journey together, we are thrilled to share some exciting updates and changes that will make this year truly special.

First, we are pleased to announce the opening of three new schools in the western area of our district - West Field High School, Mountain View Junior High School, and Haven Bay Elementary. These state-of-the-art facilities have been under construction for over a year and they are designed to provide our students with the best possible learning environments. We believe each school site will foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation. We are incredibly proud of these additions and look forward to seeing the many achievements that will come from these new learning spaces. We are working very hard to get these schools opened and ready for patrons to start the school year!

Second, we are implementing a new early-out schedule for all schools in the district for the 2024-2025 school year. “Early-outs” will take place weekly, on Wednesdays, in each of our schools. The release time on Wednesdays for our elementary schools is 12:20 pm, and our secondary schools will release students each Wednesday at 1:15 pm. This change is aimed at providing our educators more opportunities for collaboration, professional development, preparation and planning, with the ultimate goal of enhancing student learning and support. As we begin to implement our district’s new strategic plan - Elevate28 - employees need time to successfully address the priorities, goals and strategies embedded in the plan. More information will be shared with you regarding Elevate28 as we get closer to the first day of school! We have structured the school year’s schedule to ensure that we meet the state requirement of providing at least 990 hours of instruction to our students. We believe this new schedule will enhance the overall educational experience for all stakeholders.

Third, important revisions have been made to our district’s student electronic device policy. These changes have been made with the well-being and academic success of our students as our top priority, and the policy is grounded in our commitment to create an environment that maximizes learning and minimizes distractions. We highly encourage all patrons to thoroughly review Policy 8350: Student Electronic Device Policy. The policy also outlines how violations of this policy will be handled, district-wide. 

New Student Electronic Device Policy Highlights

  • Students will need to be aware that they will not be allowed to use their privately-owned electronic devices during instructional time. 
  • Electronic devices include: smartphones, smart or electronic watches, tablets, music or gaming devices, headphones/earbuds/airpods, and virtual reality devices. 
  • Elementary students may use privately-owned electronic devices after school hours.
  • Elementary students are also discouraged from using privately-owned electronic devices before school once students are on school grounds. 
  • Secondary students may use privately-owned electronic devices before and after school, during transition periods, and during lunch breaks. 
  • Secondary students are prohibited from using privately-owned electronic devices during class time, in locker rooms, and in restrooms. 
  • Students may use electronic devices despite restricted uses by a school when authorized pursuant to an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a Section 504 Plan, or a Health Care Plan. Electronic devices, including cell phones, should be turned off and stored in lockers, personal backpacks, or designated areas throughout the school day. 

By limiting the utilization of electronic devices at school, we aim to foster a more focused, engaging, and interactive educational environment. We understand that this policy change may require an adjustment period, especially as the school year begins. We’ve provided resources that may assist parents in this transition at home:

Screen Time Guidelines - American Academy of Pediatrics

Screen Time and Children: How to Guide Your Child - Mayo Clinic

6 Tips to Reduce Children's Screen Time - Mayo Clinic

We recognize the importance of communication between parents and students. Therefore, students will be allowed to use their phones before and after school hours. In case of emergencies, parents can always reach the school office, and we will ensure that urgent messages are relayed promptly.

We are confident that this new policy will have a positive impact on our students' educational experience and overall well-being. Your cooperation and support are crucial as we implement this change. Together, we can create a school environment that prioritizes learning and prepares our students for a successful future.

Thank you for your understanding and partnership! We wish you all the best school year ever!

Sincerely,

WSD Superintendency: 

Gina Butters, Superintendent

Dave Hales, Assistant Superintendent

Clyde Moore, Assistant Superintendent