HANOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT 28

We are writing to inform you of an important change to our student handbook regarding electronic devices on campus.

The updated policy now requires all personal electronic devices—including cell phones, smartwatches, earphones, and earbuds—to remain secured in student lockers throughout the entire school day, with access permitted only during the designated lunch period. This represents a significant shift from our previous policy, similar to how many schools have moved from “silent mode” approaches to complete classroom removal, recognizing that even the physical presence of devices can impact student attention and learning. School-issued educational technology like Chromebooks and tablets will continue to be available for academic use under teacher supervision, ensuring your child still has access to necessary digital learning tools. 

The policy includes escalating consequences for violations: device confiscation until day’s end for first offenses, mandatory parent pickup for second violations, and complete loss of personal device privileges for the academic year after a third infraction—providing clear boundaries similar to how athletic programs handle equipment violations. We understand parents may have concerns about emergency communication; please know that you can always reach your child immediately through our main office at 719-683-2247, and our staff will locate and deliver urgent messages within minutes, just as schools have successfully managed emergency communications for decades before cell phones became commonplace. This change aligns our school with growing research showing that device-free learning environments, much like quiet study spaces in libraries, significantly improve student focus, academic performance, and peer interaction during school hours.

Additionally, there are other changes provided in the handbook such as the dress code that we encourage all parents and students to read and be prepared for as we start our year.

Thank you for your support as we continue to create the best learning environment for our students!

Sincerely,

Mark McPherson
Superintendent