Decatur Community,
Summer is well underway, and hopefully everyone is having a break filled with those relaxing and nostalgic memories that somehow seem reserved strictly for summer breaks.
Today, I am reaching out with an update about HB 2299, a law passed in March by the Kansas Legislature that prohibits students PK-12 from having or using their cell phones and other personal communication devices during school hours. This includes lunch and passing periods. At this time, families should plan for student devices to be inaccessible throughout the school day. We understand that parents/guardians may need to reach their students during the day, so access will still be available through school phones.
The board of Education will soon be approving a new policy to support this mandate. Over the next few weeks, our team will be finalizing a plan to ensure the smoothest and most positive transition possible for students, staff, and parents. We understand that this will be a big change for many, but working together we are confident that we will get through this change and create the best possible learning environment for our students.
To assist with questions, we have set up a Frequently Asked Questions page on our district website at usd294.org This page contains some basic information about the new law, and it will be updated as additional information becomes available. I encourage you to check back frequently, as this issue will continue to evolve. Reach out to the buildings by phone or email if you have specific questions:
District Office 475-3805
DCCH 475-2231
OES 475-2122
Sincerely,
Jeremy Holloway
Superintendent
Oberlin USD 294