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Somers outlines outreach push and describes implementation of state cell‑phone ban
Summary
District communications coordinator Allison McCaffrey previewed outreach priorities — Tusker Cafe, social media/video highlights, website audit and return of a printed calendar — and administrators updated implementation of New York State’s school cell‑phone ban, including pouches at the high school and lockers at lower grades.
District leaders reviewed family and community engagement priorities and described practical changes to communication and student device policy.
Allison McCaffrey, the district’s public relations coordinator, highlighted three priorities: the third annual Tusker Cafe community event, expanded communications and outreach (website audit, 'Tusker Tracks' and a new 'Somers Spotlight' video format), and family resources tied to New York State’s recent restriction on internet‑enabled devices in schools. McCaffrey said the district has used social channels, a new district‑wide roundup, and a video series to showcase academic and extracurricular work; she also noted an ongoing audit of the website and that a social media policy is in development.
McCaffrey reported ParentSquare contactability at about 99.5% for Somers families, which the district uses for urgent safety messaging and operational notices. She described a few user‑facing initiatives — customized phone hold music that features school ensembles, monthly 'Tusker Shop' donation/redistribution events, and plans to reintroduce a physical district calendar available as long and short PDFs.
On the student device policy, administrators outlined the district’s implementation of the NYS bell‑to‑bell ban on internet‑enabled devices: middle‑school and elementary students generally keep phones off or in lockers, and high‑school students are issued physical pouches to store phones all day; escalating consequences and reflection processes address violations. Administrators said they worked with students and staff to ensure class and athletic communications (Schoology, SportsU) continue to be delivered via school systems and that staff saw increased student interaction during lunches.
Board members thanked McCaffrey for the outreach work and asked the administration to consider notifying the community about retirees and providing calendar translations into Spanish.
