Some school expectations

Be Present!

The Lyme-Old Lyme High School learning community is committed to the belief that students’ learning potential is maximized when:

• a safe and embracing environment is created and maintained for all and by all.
• collaboration among members of the learning community consistently occurs.
• individual and collective successes are celebrated and promoted.
• caring relationship between students and faculty are nurtured and encouraged

As Assistant Principal,  maintaining this climate is my mission. However, how does one build and encourage  relationships, be embracing and nurturing and collaborate with each other when phones are front and center? I walk the halls and bump into students with a phone in their hand not paying attention to where they are walking. When I  peruse the Commons during lunch I see tables filled with students with phones in one hand - sandwich in another - and communication inevitably revolves around the phone: a text, a video, a photo.
I understand that we have to be "connected". Smartphones are a way of life on which we depend. But... lets BE PRESENT and ENGAGE!
This year, my goal is to help our students understand the need to put the phone away and ENGAGE!
If you walk the halls of LOLHS you will see signs reminding us all to interact.... take a look!

Note: the handbook's code of conduct with regard to cellphones indicates that phones are allowed during lunch, and in study halls. Phones/earphones are not allowed during classes or in the hallways.