Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers,
As we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year and the implementation of our new cell phone policy, we understand that a common question arises: How can you reach your child during the school day in case of an emergency or urgent matter? We want to assure you that student safety and accessible communication remain our top priorities.
Call the School's Main Office: This is consistently the most recommended way for parents to reach their children during school hours for any reason, especially emergencies.
For Urgent Messages/Emergencies: If there's a true emergency (e.g., a family crisis, immediate pickup change due to an unforeseen event), please call the school's main office. We have clear protocols in place to get the message to your child promptly, often by calling them to the office or sending a staff member to their classroom.
For Non-Urgent Messages: For things like reminding your child about an after-school appointment, a forgotten lunch, or a change in pickup plans, it's still best to call the main office. They can relay these messages, though perhaps not with the same immediate urgency as an emergency. It's often encouraged to handle these types of communications before school starts or after dismissal if possible.
If your child needs to reach you: They will be able to request to use a school phone in the main office or a designated area.
Safety Measure Updates: When there is a safety measure implemented, we are committed to providing you with a status update as quickly as possible, when circumstances allow. Please be sure your contact information is up-to-date in our system so you receive our text messages and emails.
What You Should Do as a Parent:
Locate the School's Main Office Phone Number: Make sure you have the direct phone number for your child's school saved in your contacts.
Familiarize Yourself with the Policy: You can find our complete policy, along with resources and frequently asked questions, here: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/cell-phone-policy-2025-2026
Discuss with Your Child: Talk to your child about the new policy. Explain why it's being implemented and how you will contact them if needed. Reassure them that you can still reach them through the school office.
Plan Ahead for Non-Emergencies: For routine communications (e.g., pickup arrangements), try to finalize these details with your child before they leave for school. This reduces the need for mid-day calls.
Trust the System: We prioritize student safety and have established systems to handle communications with parents efficiently and effectively.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you can still reach your child when necessary, while supporting the school's goal of creating a more focused and engaging learning environment for everyone.
You can find more about our policy including FAQ's, resources and more here: https://www.schenectadyschools.org/page/cell-phone-policy-2025-2026