Dear Snellville Middle School Students and Parents:

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer recharging and preparing for the start of a new school year.

We are delighted that each and every student in Gwinnett County Public Schools will be issued a Chromebook. Students will no longer need to bring a personal device from home or use their cell phones for instructional use during the school day. As a result of our district 1:1 device initiative all of our students will have the same access to digital resources and support.

To support our students and refocus their attention on learning, Snellville Middle will continue with the very successful practice called “Unplug to Learn”.  Research indicates that cell phones and cell phone access during the school day is a distraction for students. Our goal is to engage our students and support them in their academic success, promote face to face social interaction and connection by removing a major barrier – cell phones. Over the past several years, cell phone use during the school day has been at the center of student conflicts, distractions, and myriad of inappropriate use. Our Unplug to Learn practice means our students’ cell phones are turned off and will remain in their bookbags, purses or lockers for the duration of the school day. Wireless or Bluetooth headphones/earbuds are included in the Unplug to Learn practice. Students will use only wired headsets or earbuds with their district-issued Chromebook. To keep our focus on learning during the school day, the Unplug to Learn practice will mean the following:

• Cell phones and all mobile devices will be turned off when entering school campus.
• Cell phones and all mobile devices will be kept in a backpack, purse or locker. Not in clothing pockets.
• Cell phones are not allowed to be used in the classroom, hallways, cafeteria, restrooms or any common areas.
• Cell phones are not allowed to be used during transition times or between classes.
• If a student needs to make an emergency call during the day, they are to come to any office. If a parent needs to reach a child in an emergency, they can call the main office.
• Cell phones can be turned back on at 4:00 p.m. during afternoon dismissal.

Our Unplug to Learn initiative was very successful and dramatically reduced classroom and school day distractions. We appreciate the overwhelming support from our parents and school community about our cell phone policy. Our students can focus on learning, are free from negativity and unnecessary distractions. I hope you will join me again in supporting this new initiative and talk with your son or daughter about the expectations regarding cell phones this school year.

Our wonderful teachers and staff are already planning for students to return to school. Our office team is ordering supplies, updating records and registering new families. Our hard working and conscientious custodians are thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing our building. All signs are pointing to a positive, productive and exciting new school year!

Together as a school community, I know we will make this school year one of growth and achievement for each and every child.

It continues to remain an honor and privilege to serve as your school principal.

Sincerely,

Meshaun Vaughn

Principal

To support our students and refocus their attention on learning, beginning this school year at Snellville Middle we will institute a cell phone practice called “Unplug 2 Learn”, and put your cell phone "Away for the day". Research indicates that cell phones and cell phone access during the school day is a distraction for students. Our goal is to engage our students and support them in their academic success, and promote face-to-face social interaction and connection by removing a major barrier – cell phones. Over the past several years, cell phone use during the school day has been at the center of student conflicts, distractions, and a myriad of inappropriate use. Our Unplug 2 Learn practice means our students’ cell phones are turned off and will remain in their book bags, purses, or lockers for the duration of the school day. Wireless or Bluetooth headphones/earbuds are included in the Away for the Day practice. Students will use only wired headsets or earbuds with their district-issued Chromebook. To keep our focus on learning during the school day, the Unplug 2 Learn practice will mean the following: 

• Cell phones and all mobile devices will be turned off when entering the school campus.
• Cell phones and all mobile devices will be kept in a backpack, purse, or locker. Not in clothing pockets.
• Cell phones are not allowed to be used in the classroom, hallways, cafeteria, restrooms, or any common areas.
• Cell phones are not allowed to be used during transition times or between classes.
• If a student needs to make an emergency call during the day, they are to come to any office. If a parent needs to reach a child in an emergency they can call the main office.
• Cell phones can be turned back on at 4:00 p.m. during afternoon dismissal. 

Snellville Middle School “Unplug 2 Learn” Procedure

If a student fails to adhere to the “Unplug 2 Learn” policy, he/she will be subject to the following consequences:

• 1^st offense - The student receives a warning. The teacher provides a reminder of the “Unplug 2 Learn” rule.
• 2^nd offense - The student locks their device in a classroom locker for the remainder of the day. The teacher contacts the student’s parents.
• 3^rd offense - Referral. The referral results in the student locking their device in the grade level office for an extended period of time. This allows the students to have access to their device when reporting to or leaving school but eliminates the distraction during class.
• 4^th offense and beyond - Administrative referral, administrator contacts parents. On arrival and leaving school the student must leave their cell phone in the grade-level office locker for multiple days.

For more information go to the Away for the Day organization page!