Daily Five: 9/11 Ceremonies, Back-To-School Events And A New Student Cell Phone Policy

1.  Today is Tuesday, Sept. 11.  The National Weather Service predicts sunny skies and a high temperature of 73 degrees. The low will fall to 53 degrees tonight.

2.  Ceremonies recognizing September 11 will be held at 7:30 a.m. and at 8:30 a.m. at National Submarine Veterans Memorial East in Groton City.

3.  changed its cell phone policy for students this fall. The policy used to be that cell phones had to be put away and stored in a backpack or locker from the time school began until it ended. This year, the school is attempting a pilot program where students may use their cell phones, MP3 Players and iPods, before school during breakfast and during lunch, but only in the cafeteria.

Cell phones and other devices are not allowed elsewhere in the school or in the hallways. A teacher may allow a student to use an electronic device if instructed to an educational purpose, though.

“It’s really working well,” Fitch Assistant Principal Peter Bass said.

4.  Several Groton schools have open houses or back to school events today. Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School will hold a curriculum night for the third and fourth grades from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m.; S.B. Butler Elementary Parent Teacher Organization will hold its back to school picnic from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.; Northeast Academy Elementary Parent Teacher Organization will hold its back to school picnic at 5 p.m.; and Pleasant Valley Elementary will hold an open house for parents at 6 p.m.

5.  The Board of Education’s policy committee on Tuesday recommended increasing the credit requirement from 20 to 22 credits to earn a night school diploma. The state department of education wants adult education programs to increase credit and instructional hours gradually to bring them more in line with traditional high school requirements.