Student Cell Phone Restrictions for 2025-2026 School Year

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

New Student Cell Phone Restrictions Effective July 25, 2025

Dear Students and Families,

We hope you're enjoying a safe and restful summer. As we prepare for the return to school on Friday, July 25, 2025, we want to inform you of important changes regarding student cell phone use on campus.

At the Regular Governing Board Meeting on July 8, 2025, the District officially adopted District Policy IJNDB© – Use of Technology Resources in Instruction. In accordance with this policy, new student cell phone restrictions will go into effect immediately at the start of the school year.

What the Policy Requires:

To comply with state and federal regulations, including the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and A.R.S. 15-120.05, the District is required to:

• Prevent access to inappropriate material through the District’s network and electronic communication systems.

• Limit student access to wireless communication devices and social media during the school day.

• Prevent unauthorized access and online activity.

• Protect the personal identification information of minors.

• Ensure safe and appropriate use of technology within instructional settings.

Student Cell Phone Expectations (Effective July 25):

• All classrooms will be equipped with a cell phone storage sleeve system.

• Each student will be assigned a sleeve number (whether or not they have a phone).

• Students with phones must place them on silent mode and place them in their assigned sleeve immediately upon entering the classroom.

• Only the student who placed the phone in the sleeve may retrieve it at the end of the class period.

• Middle school students may access phones during passing periods and lunch only.

• Parents/guardians who need to reach a student during the school day should call the school office.

District Office Number: (520) 562-8600 – You will be directed to your child’s school.

Policy Exceptions:

Student use of wireless communication devices may be permitted only under the following conditions:

• For educational purposes, as directed by a teacher.

• In case of an emergency.

• If the student has a medical condition that requires the use of a device.

Important Notes for Families and Staff:

• Procedures are in place for students and parents to communicate during the school day through the front office.

• While staff training on the new policy will be provided, all employees are required to comply immediately with the policy and its accompanying regulations.

We appreciate your support in ensuring a safe, focused, and respectful learning environment. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact your school’s front office.

Each school principal will provide more information on these processes and procedures going forward.

Transportation Schedule Changes 2025-2026

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski    

As we prepare for the upcoming 2025–2026 school year, I want to share an important update regarding student transportation and daily schedules that will directly affect our elementary and middle school communities.

Currently, students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade are transported together on the same bus routes. While this practice has helped consolidate transportation services, it has created two significant concerns that must be addressed:

1. Bus OvercrowdingCombining all K–8 students on a single bus route has resulted in consistently overcrowded buses. This compromises student safety and creates a challenging environment for bus drivers and aides to effectively manage behavior and maintain order.

2. Developmental Separation and Behavior ConcernsThere is a significant developmental gap between elementary-aged students and their middle school peers. Transporting these two age groups together has led to increased occurrences of inappropriate behavior, peer conflicts, and behavioral issues stemming from mismatched maturity levels.

3. Disciplinary ImpactData from the 2024–2025 school year indicates that approximately 20% of all school-day disciplinary infractions occur during student transportation. Many of these incidents involve interactions between older and younger students that could be prevented with age-separated transport.

4. Bullying PreventionBy separating age groups on the bus and reducing crowding, staff will be better able to supervise and manage student behavior. This enhanced oversight is expected to reduce incidents of bullying, especially those between developmental peer groups.

 

To ensure the safety and well-being of all students, at the July 8, 2025 Regular Board Meeting, by Board action, the Sacaton Elementary School District will implement a dual bus schedule starting with the 2025–2026 school year. This means that elementary and middle school students will ride separate buses based on their school enrollment.  In turn, each school will operate on a staggered daily schedule (see below).

 

Elementary students (Grades K-4) will get picked up and dropped off at approximately the same time as in previous years, but the Middle School students (Grades 5-8) will get picked up a half-hour later and dropped off a half-hour later than in previous years. 

 

Once again, there is a half-hour difference in the Elementary and Middle School Bus Schedule. The Elementary will ride the early bus that will be arriving at your stop at approximately the same time as last year. A second route will come back and pick up middle school students approximately a half hour later than the elementary school pick up. Transportation Director Lisa Pauli-Lake will send each household a pick-up and drop-off schedule. If you have any questions, please contact the Director at (520) 562-8600. 

 

Parents dropping students off, may drop off their elementary students first and then the middle school students. Middle school students arriving earlier due to drop off will be directed to the middle school cafeteria for extended study time until middle school buses arrive. 

 

2025–2026 Daily School Schedule

 

Elementary School (K–4)

• Monday – Thursday

  • School Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

• Friday (Early Release)

  • School Hours: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

 

Middle School (5–8)

• Monday – Thursday

  • School Hours: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

• Friday (Early Release)

  • School Hours: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM

We understand that this change may require families with students in both schools to adjust their morning and afternoon routines. However, this shift is essential to improving the safety, behavior management, and overall experience of our student riders. 

We appreciate your partnership and flexibility as we make these important adjustments to better serve our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school office or the Transportation Department at (520) 562-8600.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our students’ success and safety.

Perimeter Security for Students, Staff and Facilities

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

It is with a great deal of excitement and a deep sense of responsibility for the safety of our students that the District is pleased to announce that it will be providing additional security measures for our students, staff and facilities at the Sacaton Elementary School District #18. A secure iron fence will be installed around the school district perimeter. It will be approximately eight foot high and will go completely around the school district. There will be brick columns to add strength and eye appeal. By securing the perimeters of the district, we will be able to provide additional assurances that students, staff and our facilities will be safe.

Individual access to our schools and our students and staff will be through the building offices at the district, elementary and middle school. Employees will use a Frequency Operated Button (FOB) to open gates and/or doors for access inside the fenced perimeter to enter their respective school. All visitor entries will be marked with appropriate signage to direct individual traffic through office doors or other entries. Buses will drop off elementary students behind the perimeter fence though the automated gates. Middle School students will be dropped off in front of school to enter through the gated portals.

The District has been planning this project for over a year. It is imperative that we protect our students and give parents the peace of mind knowing their children will have an additional perimeter of safety. 

Below are several architectural renderings of the project.

As we complete the final details of the project, we would like to ask our stakeholders (students, staff, parents, and community members) to complete a quick survey regarding the color of the iron fence. Below is a survey link we encourage you to open to take the “Sacaton Schools Security Fence Color Options. Please click on the link or use the QR code to begin taking the survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L7N6KX2

The “Sacaton School Security Fence Color Option” survey will close at noon on August 9, 2024.

BE BRAVE & BE PRESENT

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to highlight a critical component of academic success: consistent school attendance. At Sacaton Elementary School District #18, we understand that every day of school is a valuable opportunity for learning, growth, and development. We are committed to ensuring that every student benefits from the full range of educational experiences we offer. This is our “Mission Possible” here at Sacaton. We want you to know that your student’s attendance matters.

Why Attendance Matters:

**1. Impact on Academic Achievement: Regular attendance is crucial for academic success. Each day of instruction builds upon the previous day, and missing school means missing out on important lessons and activities. Studies consistently show that students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform better academically, achieve higher test scores, and graduate on time.

**2. Social and Emotional Development: School is not just about academics; it's also a place where students develop social skills, build relationships, and learn to navigate social situations. Frequent absences can impede social development, making it challenging for students to connect with their peers and engage fully in group activities.

**3. Long-Term Effects: Chronic absenteeism can have lasting consequences. Students who miss school frequently are at greater risk of falling behind academically, which can affect their future educational opportunities and career prospects. Establishing good attendance habits early on helps set the foundation for future success in higher education and beyond.

To support our commitment to improving attendance and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed, we are excited to re-introduce our district-wide initiative: "Must Be Present To Win."

"Must Be Present to Win" Initiative:

Our "Must Be Present To Win" initiative is designed to emphasize the importance of consistent school attendance and to celebrate the efforts of students who demonstrate dedication to their education. Here’s how the initiative works:

• Recognition and Rewards: Students with excellent attendance will be recognized throughout the year. This can include special certificates, incentives, and participation in exclusive events designed to celebrate their engagement.

• Support for Families: We understand that there may be challenges that affect attendance. Our initiative includes providing resources and support to families to help overcome barriers to regular attendance. We are here to work with you to ensure that every student can make the most of their time at school.

• Community Engagement: We will be hosting workshops and informational sessions to further educate families on the impact of attendance and to offer strategies for improving and maintaining regular school attendance.

We encourage you to join us in supporting this initiative by prioritizing school attendance and working together to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive. Your support makes a significant difference in your child’s educational journey and future success.

Thank you for your commitment to making this school year a successful and enriching experience for all our students. Let’s make every school day count!

Popcorn Extravaganza: Be Brave Be Positive

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Tomorrow at 4:00 PM is our Community/Family Popcorn Extravaganza. Once again, the Popcorn Extravaganza is tomorrow, March 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM in the Middle School Gymnasium. It will include Video and slide presentations of school life. The Cheerleaders will be welcoming everyone in support of this family festivity. Please join us and grab some popcorn at the door while we present what we love about our school. See you at the EXTRAVAGANZA!

MISSION POSSIBLE: BE A BRAVE BOOSTER

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski    

This Thursday, March 28 at 9:00 AM we will host our third Must Be Present To Win assembly. As you know these assemblies are a time for celebration and recognition. We have asked our community members, teachers and supporters to help us in this process by being BRAVE BOOSTERS! 

Sacaton Elementary School District wants students and parents to know that good things can happen to those who participate and engage in learning. Building trust is key in this process. Even more so, being present in mind and body are keys to learning engagement. This initiative compliments our School Mission to "engage students to take ownership of their learning, embrace the culture, and contribute to the world around them."

At the assembly on March 28 we will be making a big transition in our celebration. We will continue to celebrate those students that have engaged in the learning process, but we will introduce a new challenge. This challenge will be our MISSION POSSIBLE. If they choose to accept this MISSION, it will be the ultimate challenge to BE BRAVE!  All of Sacaton School's stated matras will be called upon for this challenge: HCA, Cross the Line, Engage - Embrace and Contribute, and Must Be Present To Win. At the assembly our students will receive their MISSION assignment as a "Hero in training." Heroware will be distributed. We will also be recognizing our BRAVE BOOSTERS (its not too late to become one, see below). If you are or become a BRAVE BOOSTER, you too will receive Heroware. This heroware will don the blue diamond symbol above with letters on the back indicating your hero status.

As you may know from comic legend hero, Superman, that the iconic "S" on Superman's chest is actually the Kyptonian symbol of HOPE! Krypton was Superman's home planet. It doesn't stand for Superman. It is a symbol of hope that sets the expectation of action and behavior. This is exactly what we are doing at our assemblies. We are taking the best of Hollywood in MISSION POSSIBLE and "lighting a fuse" that challenges our students, staff and community "to be our very best!" We are using the crest worn by an iconic Superhero to connect with actions of expectation with the HOPE that we will make a difference in this world. We are CONNECTING with kids and providing a brand of expectation.

Please join us in supporting our students. If you would like to be a BRAVE BOOSTER bring a incentive "engagement" donation. We do not want money but are seeking “new” items that students would find appealing (bikes, toys, watches, headphones, games, Lego sets, book sets, ball caps, baseball/basketball/football uniforms, etc.). We cannot use candy or food items. We will use your item at this coming assembly if it is received before the end of the day on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: If you would like to make a difference and donate an “engagement” incentive(s), please drop off all item(s) at the District Office. Administrative Assistant Sue Seider will register the item, approximate value, and name of the person/business donating it and add their name to a list of BRAVE BOOSTERS. A list of Brave Boosters will be added to the website to track and honor those who donate engagement incentives. The incentives will be distributed at our Must Be Present To Win Assemblies. The list of BRAVE BOOSTERS will also be acknowledged at our assemblies and other school functions.

Getting students to engage and take ownership of their learning, embrace their culture, and contribute to the world around them is our mission at Sacaton. It truly is MISSION POSSIBLE!

Be a part of the BRAVE BOOSTERS! Find out how you can make a difference in the lives of our youth.

Safety Response Preparation and Training

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

More than 350,000 people will suffer a cardiac arrest this year. Response time is of the essence in order to safe their life. At Sacaton Schools, the entire staff,  is receiving training and certification in CPR and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). The District takes the safety and welfare of its students and staff seriously. Providing a healthy and safe environment for teaching and learning is a goal in our Strategic Plan.

All staff are being trained to provide CPR and use an AED to potentially save the life of someone in need. 

The District is not only providing this needed training, but has purchased 15 AEDs that are distributed throughout the District in common areas. 

When looking for an AED at Sacaton Schools, just look for the a sign like the one shown. You can find AED's in the following locations and buildings:

BUILDING	ROOM
Transportation	Breakroom South wall
Elementary	Lobby West Wall
Elementary	Library SW wall
Elementary	Cafeteria NE wall
Elementary	Gym Stage
Elementary	21 century BLG kitchen
Elementary	Room 44
District Office	Receptionist
Community Technology Center	Hallway
Middle School	M2/Professional Development
Middle School	Cafeteria
Middle School	Library
Middle School	Gym/Stage
Middle School	Weight Room
Middle School	Room B-5