Back to the grindstone: Schools all over The Woodlands go back into session this week

THE WOODLANDS, TX – By the end of this upcoming week, all local education institutions – public, private, and parochial – will officially be back in session for the new school year.

Conroe Independent School District is the main litmus paper for public education in The Woodlands, with Tomball, Magnolia, Spring, and Montgomery ISDs close by. While the search for a replacement superintendent after the departure of Dr. Curtis Null a few months ago is still ongoing, the district isn’t rudderless. Former Woodlands High School principal Dr. Ted Landry is interim superintendent with a firm hand at the helm after a unanimous confirmation by the board of trustees.

Teachers in the district have just that bit more incentive to show up this year with raises ranging from $2,000 - $5,000, an average raise of eight percent for those with five or more years of service. Administration and other departments will also see larger paychecks, including increased daily rates for substitute pay.

The news for some students might be perceived by them to be slightly less good news; effective the start of this school year, there is an electronic device ban where students are prohibited from using personal communication and electronic devices like cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and headphones (including AirPods) during instructional hours.

As part of the ‘Away for the Day’ policy, this extends to class change periods and lunch, requiring devices to be turned off and put away. Exceptions may be made for students with individualized education programs (IEPs) or 504 plans that require the use of devices as an accommodation, or in extenuating circumstances such as a late bus requiring communication with a parent.

Before the local student-led picket lines start, it should be known that this policy is in compliance with state law, with these changes aligning with Texas House Bill 1481, which mandates such restrictions to minimize distractions and enhance academic engagement. A byproduct of this policy is the teaching of the concept of ‘consequences’ – unauthorized use of a device will result in confiscation, with the device being held in the school office and returned to the student at the end of the day.

The implementation details for the electronic device policy may vary slightly between campuses. Parents and students are encouraged to review the full policy on the Conroe ISD website.

Between now and the start of classes, you might note that some school zone lights are flashing, even though school may not have officially begun. Be warned: In Texas, if school zone lights are flashing, you must slow down to the posted speed limit, even if school is not in session. The flashing lights indicate that the school zone is active, and the reduced speed limit is in effect for safety reasons, regardless of whether classes are actually happening.

Additionally, the penalty for cell phone use in a school zone remains the same. In Texas, using a handheld cell phone while driving in an active school zone is illegal and carries a fine of up to $200 for the first offense, plus court costs, as a violation of the Texas Hands-Free Law. You can use a cell phone in a school zone if it is hands-free, such as through Bluetooth or voice commands. The law applies to active school zones, meaning when children are present or the school zone lights are flashing. While the violation can result in a fine, it is not considered a violation of state law and therefore does not go on a driver's record; however, using a cell phone while driving can also lead to other consequences, such as being held liable for punitive damages if you cause an accident.

Finally, be aware of traffic. Whether you’re fortunate enough to both work and live in The Woodlands, or if you’re making your way to the freeway for a knuckle-whitening commute, you will definitely find yourself behind schedule, even if you head out early. Since nothing can be done about it, try to remain patient and maintain composure. Maintain your lessened speed in school zones, keep off the horn, and never pass a stopped school bus with red lights flashing and/or stop sign showing.

(If it helps, sometimes counting to ten in a different language can help calm the nerves. In that vein we offer you Spanish – uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez; French – une, deux, trois, quatre, cinc, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix; and Japanese – ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyyu, juu.)