Happy Summer, Everyone!
I hope you are all enjoying your summer and the extra time you get to share with your children.
The purpose of this email is to let you know that Governor Reynolds signed into law HF 782 which requires Iowa schools to implement policies that limit student use of cellphones and other electronic devices (such as smartwatches) during instructional time. The law includes common-sense exceptions, such as allowing use for students who need to monitor medical conditions
I know that some of you have very strong opinions that students need to have their phones available to them at all times. Therefore, I am planning to share information in "small bites" over the summer about why this change could be useful for our/your students, as well as alternate ways you can get in contact with your child. We want you to be able to have time to digest the changes, as well as share your concerns so those can be addressed prior to the first day of the 2025-26 school year.
As always, I do not monitor Facebook comments, so if you have questions about the changes, please email those directly to me at ahuseman@ikm-manning.k12.ia.us
A number of those "small bites" of information will come from the book, The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt, which as a parent and educator, I found very informative.
Here is that first small bite:
"School Can't Solve This Alone."
Educators see the symptoms-but society must treat the root causes. Parents, platforms, and policymakers all have roles to play.
Thank you,
Dr. Angela Huseman
IKM-Manning Superintendent