- Pierz Schools
- District News Blog
Pierz Schools Enacts New Phone Policy
Posted by Pierz Schools on 1/16/2025
Today is the last day of Semester 1 at Pierz Schools - and the last day students will have access to their cell phones during their day at school. If you haven't already, please read the new policy. Note: all phones, air pods, and smart watches which have been collected because of a violation to the new policy, will have to be picked up in the high school office by a parent/guardian.
This video has been shared with our students to guide them through the new schedule, enjoy! (And special thanks to our student council and peer helpers who honed their acting skills): https://youtu.be/qnW2AuheWDM
This video has been shared with our students to guide them through the new schedule, enjoy! (And special thanks to our student council and peer helpers who honed their acting skills): https://youtu.be/qnW2AuheWDM
From Mr. Egan and Ms. Cooper:
As we prepare to transition to second semester, we’re making an important change to help students focus and thrive at school, both in their academic and social lives. Beginning January 21, cell phones, smart watches, and ear buds will no longer be able to be accessed by students on campus during the school day. This is already (and always has been) the policy at Pioneer Elementary (PK-6).
Why This Change?
While phones are a great tool for staying connected, research has show that they often:
-Disrupt the focus needed for academic success.
-Decrease levels of social engagement with one another
-Increase risk levels of stress, anxiety, depression, etc. through social media and messaging.
-By removing phones during the day, we aim to create a more focused, connected, and engaging learning environment for all students.
As we prepare to transition to second semester, we’re making an important change to help students focus and thrive at school, both in their academic and social lives. Beginning January 21, cell phones, smart watches, and ear buds will no longer be able to be accessed by students on campus during the school day. This is already (and always has been) the policy at Pioneer Elementary (PK-6).
Why This Change?
While phones are a great tool for staying connected, research has show that they often:
-Disrupt the focus needed for academic success.
-Decrease levels of social engagement with one another
-Increase risk levels of stress, anxiety, depression, etc. through social media and messaging.
-By removing phones during the day, we aim to create a more focused, connected, and engaging learning environment for all students.
We've already heard from many students who said it will be "kinda nice not have to worry about my phone or someone taking photos of me".
Where Will Cell Phones Be Kept?
Students will have several options:
-Leave their cell phones at home.
-Check their phone into a locked cell phone storage box in their 7th hour classroom prior to the start of the school day. Students will be given their phones back when their last period class concludes.
-Students who plan to leave early or arrive late should check their phone into storage in the school office.
-Students who drive are able to leave their cell phones in their vehicles. We recommend all students and staff lock their vehicles.
-Students are not permitted to keep their devices on their person or in their locker.
All students, including students in study halls, Flex Days, and CIS classes will be held to the same standard of not having phones in school.
Violations
**Phones brought to the office because of a violation will need to be picked up by a parent or guardian.**
Planning
Please make a plan with your student(s) about what they will do with their phone throughout the school day. Talk to your student about letting employers know of this change.
Emergencies
If you need to contact your student, you should call the main office. Students can also use office phones if needed.
We appreciate your support as we make this adjustment to benefit all students. Please reach out with any questions or concerns. Together, we can ensure the success of this new policy and make 2025 a year of learning and connection!
If you have more questions or want to learn more about the side effects of smartphones, social media use, etc. on teens, learn more here: https://drive.google.com/.../14MVJ.../view...
Otherwise, feel free to reach out to us here at school.
Warm regards,
Beth Cooper
10-12 Principal
Corey Egan
7-9 Principal
Where Will Cell Phones Be Kept?
Students will have several options:
-Leave their cell phones at home.
-Check their phone into a locked cell phone storage box in their 7th hour classroom prior to the start of the school day. Students will be given their phones back when their last period class concludes.
-Students who plan to leave early or arrive late should check their phone into storage in the school office.
-Students who drive are able to leave their cell phones in their vehicles. We recommend all students and staff lock their vehicles.
-Students are not permitted to keep their devices on their person or in their locker.
All students, including students in study halls, Flex Days, and CIS classes will be held to the same standard of not having phones in school.
Violations
**Phones brought to the office because of a violation will need to be picked up by a parent or guardian.**
Planning
Please make a plan with your student(s) about what they will do with their phone throughout the school day. Talk to your student about letting employers know of this change.
Emergencies
If you need to contact your student, you should call the main office. Students can also use office phones if needed.
We appreciate your support as we make this adjustment to benefit all students. Please reach out with any questions or concerns. Together, we can ensure the success of this new policy and make 2025 a year of learning and connection!
If you have more questions or want to learn more about the side effects of smartphones, social media use, etc. on teens, learn more here: https://drive.google.com/.../14MVJ.../view...
Otherwise, feel free to reach out to us here at school.
Warm regards,
Beth Cooper
10-12 Principal
Corey Egan
7-9 Principal

Recent
By Month
Filter by Tag
- Show All
- agriculture
- award
- bussing
- community education
- construction
- grants
- Healy
- high reliability sc
- HRS
- Industrial technolo
- literacy
- Marzano
- math
- MCA scores
- MCEA
- national blue ribbon
- parent drop off
- personal responsibil
- pioneer elementary
- PRIDE
- proficiency
- RCD
- reading
- relationships
- responsibilitycenter
- sarah funk
- shop
- snow emergency
- Sourcewell
- State tests
- website
- welding
- woodshop
- workforce ready
- Unassigned