The North Nodaway School Board voted to approve the employment of Jake Hoy as the Assistant Junior High Boys Basketball Coach for the current school year at their regular board meeting Wednesday. The board also approved Lynette Berg and Rinda Gladman as substitute cooks.
The board approved a no cell phone use policy for the school effective January 7th, 2025. At that time, students from K-12 will be asked to either not bring their phones and smart watches to school or to place such personal technology in a designated Yondr pouch that the school will supply. These pouches have a magnetic device that locks the phones in the pouch and denies phone access to students. The students will retain possession of the pouches and will unlock their pouches at dismissal or when the student checks out for the day from the office. Students will be responsible for their pouch like any other materials issued by the school. If student/parent contact is needed, parents may call the school offices or stop by the school office. In the high school, students have email capabilities.
The school says there are many reasons for the change, a few which are listed below:
–Conflicts that begin on social media or through text messaging during and outside school that the school says disrupts the learning environment;
–Pictures and video being taken of other students in the school and then being circulated, including in bathrooms and locker rooms;
–Bullying and namecalling;
–Students leaving classrooms to check notifications;
–Students using AI on their phones to complete assignments;
–Pressure of parents having to purchase phones for children at young ages;
–Research showing that cell phones in classrooms having negative impacts on student learning.
The administration says they have spoken to staff members, board members, students, and conducted their own experiment. In one class period, 13 students had 440 new notifications during one class period. Often, students were asking to go to the restroom just to check their phone. In one case, it was a parent texting asking what they wanted for dinner.
Students in violation of this policy will have three days of in-school suspension on the first offense. The second violation will result in five days in-school suspension. The third offense will result in a parent conference and two days of out of school suspension. Additional offenses may result in more severe penalties. In-school suspension allows students to make up the work and receive full credit; out of school suspension does not. Out of school suspension results in students not being allowed to participate in activities or receiving credit for missed work.
As part of the new policy, the board voted to approve the purchase of Yondr Pouches in the amount of $4,906.
The school received two bids to pour concrete at the new bus barn. JS Concrete Construction bid $34,700 for a 34’x50’ slab along with drains. Ideal Concrete Construction of Maryville bid $39,005 for a 30’x50’ floor. The board voted to accept the bid from JS Concrete Construction.
The board received one bid from Northwest Missouri Concrete Coatings out of St. Joseph for putting new flooring in the commons area of the gym as well as the Ag building. The bid was $24,849.50. The board voted to accept the bid.
The board voted to approve the senior class going to Branson in May for their Senior Trip.
Elementary Principal Heather Townsend reported that vision screenings were administered at the elementary.
Students participated in Pickering Pony Day Activities on September 20th. Students were taken from the school to the arena by wagons pulled by horses. At the arena, they participated in fun activities and a live performance followed by a snack.
Student Council members were named for the Elementary. They were Marin Alexander (President), Whytlee Ebrecht (Vice-President), Brysha Allen (Treasurer), Ady Dailey (Secretary), and members Bella Graham, Gunner Stricker, Zaylynn Luke, and Oakley Marriott.
High School Principal Roger Johnson reported that junior high basketball and cheer practices have begun. The boys have a lot of numbers out; the school hired a new assistant. The girls junior high volleyball team set a school record for most wins in a season. The junior high cross country girls broke a school record and the boys established one for the first time.
The FFA completed fruit sales and did well at Fall Contest at Northwest.
Superintendent Chris Turpin reported that the playground installers have been installing the new portion of the playground. Helzer fencing will come to the school to put the new fending out front.
New culture and climate surveys will be going out to staff, students, and parents. Results will be shared at a future board meeting.
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