Willie J. Williams Middle School also added a new wing, which replaced the two oldest buildings on the campus, which were demolished. The cafeteria was expanded to accommodate more students and another large parking lot was added, as well.
Rounding out the completed construction projects, so far, is the new Canning Plant and Agriculture Facility, which is across the road from the high school. This facility will benefit both students and the community-at-large.
There has been an important policy update this year, that both students and parents should carefully read and understand. It concerns the use of personal electronic devices during the school day.
In May of this year, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill that banned all personal electronic devices during the school day with the exception of students whose Individual Education Program, Section 504 Plan or Medical Plan explicitly mandates their use.
So, in a nutshell, no student in the Colquitt County School District, Grades K-12, is permitted( except for the aforementioned exceptions) to access their personal electronic devices while on school premises during school hours. They have to be turned off and stored in the student’ s backpack / secured bag upon arrival, and remain off throughout the school day.
Along with cell phones, this includes tablets, e-readers, headphones, earbuds, and other devices with functionalities like wireless communication, internet access, messaging, video recording, gaming, social media access, or data transmission during school hours. Yes, the personal electronic device list does include smart watches.
The district’ s policy warns that violation of the policy will garner discipline consequences; after a second offense, a parent must pick up the device at the school’ s office. This is definitely something to keep in mind throughout the school year as this is now the law. As far as this year’ s school calendar goes, the last day of school is May 20 and graduation is May 16. The school breaks are Fall Break, October 16-20; Thanksgiving Break, November 24-28; Christmas Break, December 22-January 2; and Spring Break, April 6-10.
FAQ’ s Personal Electronic Devices Procedure
• What is a personal electronic device?
Personal electronic devices include but are not limited to: cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, e-readers, headphones, earbuds, and other devices with functionalities such as wireless communication, internet access, messaging, video recording, gaming, social media access, or data transmission during school hours.
• What is considered“ accessing or using” a personal electronic device?
Viewing, holding, wearing, or otherwise using a device for the purpose of communication, internet access, gaming, recording, listening to music, or any other function commonly associated with personal electronic devices.
• How can parents / guardians reach a child while they are at school if needed?
Parents / guardians needing to contact their child during school hours should call the school’ s front office.
• Can personal electronic devices be used on school transportation?
Personal electronic devices may be used on school transportation so long as they do not violate anyother policy or procedure outlined in the Student Handbook.
• Can personal electronic devices be used during athletic and extracurricular events after school hours?
Each school and the supervising school employee responsible for the athletic or extracurricular event will provide guidelines for using personal electronic devices during those activities. The guidelines will be provided to participating students and parents / guardians in advance.
• What if my student has a medical need?
Students with documented medical needs who require access to their electronic devices are allowed to use the device as necessary to fulfill the requirements of their respective programs or plans. n
AUGUST 2025 MoultrieScene 31