Dear Anser Community,

As we gear up for the start of the school year next week, the Anser staff crew is hard at work, preparing everything with a mix of excitement and anticipation. There’s so much to do, but the energy and joy in the process is contagious. Crew leaders are triple-checking their lesson plans, students are probably wondering if they remember how to do math, parents and guardians ... Well, let's just say you might be counting down the days until you get your quiet mornings back!

Over the summer, we actively reviewed the feedback from our community and reflected on the year. We’re  excited to announce a variety of important shifts to enhance the Anser experience for our students, staff and families. As we continue to learn and take cues from school communities both in Idaho and across the country, we recognize more than ever, one shift that needs to be made at the beginning of the school year and that is creating cell phone-free spaces.

As educators, our mission is to positively impact the lives of our students and we aim to be mentors, guides, and sources of inspiration. At the heart of our school community is a commitment to providing a healthy environment where students can develop the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to grow into well-rounded, thriving adults.

Unfortunately, undeniable research has shown that the pervasive use of smartphones has hindered our ability to maintain a positive, inclusive, and safe environment where learning, focus, inclusion, community, and belonging are prioritized. While we recognize the benefits that technology provides, the presence of personal devices like smartphones, earbuds, and smartwatches has undermined the educational experience and the core values we strive to uphold.

This attention to cell phone usage extends beyond just our students. As staff, we’re also making a conscious effort to reduce our time and energy spent on cell phones. We’re collectively committed to using our phones on campus only when absolutely necessary. We recognize that sometimes cell phones are essential for internal communication or  when we are on fieldwork, but we’re holding ourselves to the same standards: short communications, no scrolling!

Why does Anser Charter School have this cell phone/smartwatch policy?
Anser’s cell phone policy is driven by national statistics revealing the prevalence of cyberbullying incidents, social emotional health, exposure to inappropriate material and the detrimental impact of constant phone notifications on students' attention and academic performance. Our goal is to create an environment that minimizes distractions, promotes focused learning, and fosters better social and emotional development.

How does the cell phone/smartwatch policy affect my child?

• K-5: Students will power down their devices once arriving on campus and place them in their backpacks. Once they enter the building at 8:30 am or 9:30 am on Wednesday, they can turn them into their crew leader or keep them in their backpacks. If a device is turned into a Crew Leader, those devices will be returned at the end of the school day. If devices are kept in their backpacks, they are to remain there at all times and until the end of the school day. At the end of the school day, devices may only be used to communicate with parents or regarding pick-up arrangements. Students will not be permitted to use their devices for any other purpose until they leave Anser school grounds or exit the bus if they use the bus for transportation home. No watching videos or scrolling through their phones will be permitted. 

• AMS 6-8: Students will power down their devices once arriving on campus and place them in their backpacks. Once they enter the building at 8:30 am or 9:30 am on Wednesday, they will secure them in a lock box in the classroom and students will be able to retrieve them at the end of the school day. At the end of the school day, devices may only be used to communicate with parents or regarding pick-up arrangements. Students will not be permitted to use their devices for any other purpose until they leave Anser school grounds or exit the bus if they use the bus for transportation home. No watching videos or scrolling through their phones will be permitted. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Why is our school adopting a phone-free policy?

The school day is when students need to be able to focus, learn, interact with each other, build in-person communities, and engage with teachers. Study data shows that phone and social media free school gives students back many needed opportunities for development.

What if my child needs their phone in case of a crisis or lockdown at the school?

School security experts say phones can make children less safe in crisis situations for the following reasons:

• Student use of cell phones during an unfolding emergency can distract their attention from safety and emergency response directions being given by school staff.

• Cell phone use by students can hamper rumor control and, in doing so, disrupt and delay effective public safety personnel response.

• Cell phone use by students can impede public safety response by accelerating parental and community arrival at the scene of an emergency during times when officials may be attempting to evacuate students to another site.

• Worried family members trying to get through can jam communications, interfering with first responders.

For more information: National School Safety and Security Services

Front office staff are available for parents to call and pass along pertinent messages, and we strive to respond to emails promptly. Attendance updates can be sent to Attendance@ansercharterschool.org, and other questions or concerns, please reach out to info@ansercharterschool.org.

In the coming weeks, we’ll share more details about our upcoming community book club, which will feature The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. At Anser, our priority is to educate the whole child. We aim to challenge our learners academically, support them socially by minimizing screen time, and encourage meaningful interactions. We’ll also be sharing more about how this policy will be implemented on campus during Back to School Nights. For now, the most important tool in our toolbox is your support. Please talk to your kids about their devices on campus and, if possible, consider leaving the devices at home!

Learn more about the Phone Free School Movement here. Sign up for the Wait Until 8th movement here!