Policies & Procedures
School Supplies
Technology
All MESA students will be provided with a Chromebook to access content from our new digital learning management system, "Canvas." Canvas will allow teachers to share instruction and content with students on a computer and allow students to work and interact with other students while adhering to social distance guidelines. Students will be trained on the new Canvas system and will practice using it every day at school. Students should take their computer and charger to and from school each day so that they can complete homework, contact teachers, and continue learning even if they are not in the building.
Phone Policy
Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts supports students in demonstrating both high levels of academic achievement and personal character. Our goal is to provide meaningful and rigorous classes for students - classes where students are engaged with learning every minute of each day. To achieve that goal, we have identified a need to update MESA’s phone policy for the 2025-26 school year to help reduce distractions during classes
According to the National Center on Education Statistics, almost 77% of schools across the country have some form of limited student phone use in school. Currently, five out of six Mapleton High Schools require that student phones be put away and not visible during class time.
MESA recently gathered feedback from students, staff, and families/guardians regarding phone use in class. The feedback showed that:
a) students are often distracted by phones during class and missing out on valuable instructional time
b) a majority of MESA families/guardians support limited student phone use during class time
We acknowledge that phones are often useful tools for students and can play an important role in communication with friends and family. However, limiting student phone use during class time allows all students to learn without distraction and allows MESA to achieve our goal of supporting students academically.
For the 2025-26 school year, MESA will implement the following phone policy:
- Student phones must be put away and remain out of sight during class time - the use of phones will not be permitted during any class period. Phones must remain in a student bag or backpack, or they may be placed in a phone holder that will be available in each classroom.
- Students are permitted to use their phones during all passing periods, during lunch, before school, and after school. Phone use will be allowed at all times other than class periods. Student phones will also be accessible in the classroom (in student bag or phone holder) in case of emergency.
Students Contacting Families/Guardians: If students need to contact their families/guardians during class time, they may do so using the classroom phone or the front office phone. Students may also use their own phones during non-instructional times, including passing periods each hour.
Families/Guardians Contacting Students: If families/guardians need to contact their student, they may do so by calling the MESA front office at (303)853-1270 and their student will be called down. Otherwise, continue to contact your student’s phone as normal and they will get back to you during passing periods or lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Some students are not distracted by phones during class. Why should all students have to follow a schoolwide policy?
A: Research shows that all students are more engaged when phones are not a distraction in the classroom. Additionally, if your student is currently not distracted by their phone, then this policy will not be much of a change for them, they are already in the habit of keeping their phone out of sight during class!
Q: What if there is an emergency and I need to get a hold of my student or they need to get a hold of me?
A: Student phones will be available in the classroom (either in student bag or phone holder) and students will be allowed to use them if an emergency situation arises. The intent is not to limit communication with families/guardians, but to limit student distractions during class time. Emergency situations are not class time and students will be able to use phones.
Q: How will this policy work - for example, what if a student refuses to put their phone away during class?
A: This policy will be clearly communicated to all students and the expectation is that students keep their phones in their bag/backpack or place in the classroom phone holder on their own. If a student refuses to follow the expectation on their own, they will be given one reminder to place their phone in the classroom phone holder by a teacher. If a student does not follow expectations after a teacher reminder, the student’s phone will remain in the MESA front office for the remainder of the day. If following the phone policy becomes an ongoing issue for a student, MESA’s administration team will work with the student and family/guardian to resolve it.
Thank you for your support of MESA’s phone policy, we are looking forward to providing your student an excellent education and positive social experience next school year. If you have any additional questions please call the MESA front office at (303)853-1270 or email MESAoffice@mapleton.us. We will also review this information during Back to School night in August. Thank you and have a wonderful summer break!