As a place-based school, we value being fully present with our students and the natural world. Teachers are expected to model this attentiveness by limiting personal cell phone use during the school day.

That said, cell phones are also a critical tool for safe and effective communication between the office and faculty, particularly given the distances and varied locations cohorts travel across campus and during outings. For this reason:

• Teachers are asked to carry their cell phone with them during the school day.

• Phones should be kept on vibrate (or silent) to avoid disrupting learning.

• Faculty should be prepared to receive messages from the office as this is the primary method of communication during the day.

Office communication is intended to be concise, infrequent, and used only when necessary. Typical reasons include:

• Student safety or health concerns

• Student attendance

• Notification of early dismissals or late arrivals

• Coordination and check-ins when classes are off-site (e.g., confirming arrival at destination, sharing estimated return time)

Personal cell phone use during instructional time should be avoided, except in cases of emergency.