3 min read

With Labor Day signaling the end of summer, most students in the Augusta School Department prepare to head back to school starting Tuesday.

Students in first through seventh grade and freshman at Cony High School will start on Tuesday; eighth grade, 10th through 12th and Capital Area Technical Center students will start on Wednesday and kindergarten students will start on Thursday.

Superintendent Michael Tracy Jr. answers questions you may have about returning to school:

Any changes in the academic calendar, school start times or bus routes that students need to know about?

Nothing noteworthy, Tracy said. The school calendar  and bus and transportation routes can be found on the department’s website, augustaschools.org. 

Any changes to student cell phone use or technology?

Yes, there has been a slight tightening with the cell phone use policy. Although the rule has not changed, the enforcement and discipline has increased slightly.

Here is the public notice from Cony High School:

Cell phones and Headphones: Our teachers and staff have reported that our Cony procedure related to cell phones has significantly improved student engagement and focus in the classroom. A new state law prohibits cell phone use in schools during instructional time. Please know that we are grateful for family support in this area. Through last year, we developed some procedures to reinforce student expectations around this behavior.

Allowed Use: Students may use their phones and headphones before and after school, during lunch, but only while in the food court. All other times, students should have their cell phone and headphones in their backpacks or computer bag. Cell phones should not be in their pocket because the constant notifications make it very distracting for students.

Consequences: Thankfully, the majority of our students have followed our request regarding cell phones and headphones. If a student doesn’t follow expectations, here is the process that we will use when working with them.

• First and second offense: Warning and review of the rules with administration/staff.

• Continued offenses: Phone will be taken and kept in a locked cabinet in the main office until the end of the day.

• Ongoing violations: Possible detention, family contact, loss of privilege to bring a phone to school, or suspension.

Advertisement

Are there any changes in school leadership from last year?

We have two new assistant principals at Cony Middle and High School, Joe Visselli and Jennifer Watson. Erin Hartill is the new principal of Gilbert Elementary School. The new interim special education director is Misty Favreau and the new assistant superintendent is Shelby Thibodeau.

Any other significant changes or developments in the district from last year?

We have a new Remote Academy Program that we are piloting at Cony High School, available to high school students, home school students, and students from Capital Area Technical Center’s sending schools.

Courses will be offered at scheduled times through the school day and will take place synchronously. This means students will attend classes virtually, joining their teacher and classmates in real time. Instructions will be delivered through Zoom or Google Meets, and students are expected to log in during each scheduled class period to fully participate in the lesson. To ensure active participation, students are required to keep their cameras on during class.

 

Emily Duggan is a staff writer for the Kennebec Journal. She graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of New Hampshire, where she was a news editor and staff writer for The New Hampshire....

Join the Conversation

Please sign into your CentralMaine.com account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.