A group of St. Vrain Valley parents in Erie is asking the district to make an exception to its cell phone and other personal devices policy and allow students to wear smartwatches set in restricted mode in elementary and middle school classrooms.
Parent Braun Mincher, who is leading the effort, started a Change.org petition advocating for a smartwatch exception. He also filed an open records request on parent and community feedback used in developing the policy change, which requires elementary and middle school students to put away both smartwatches and cell phones during the school day.
All personal technology devices, including cell phones and smartwatches, are required to be turned off or on silent and stored out of sight during school hours at elementary and middle schools, according to the policy approved on Aug. 12. The devices also are not to be worn or carried in pockets…