Harlan Middle School

📢 Important Policy Updates for the 2025–26 School Year at Harlan Independent Schools! 🐉

As we gear up for a new school year, please take a moment to review a few important policy changes:

District Staff/Student Communication
Beginning June 27, 2025, SB 181 requires that all school communication with students occur only through approved platforms including ParentSquare, district email, GoGuardian, Google Workspace, and Infinite Campus. Communication through texting, personal emails, and social media will no longer be allowed.

As a result of new Kentucky legislation, Harlan Middle/High School has made the following policy changes for the 2025-2026 school year.

Moment of Silence or Reflection
In accordance to KY Senate Bill 19, “at the commencement of the first class of each day in all public schools, there shall be a moment of silence or reflection of at least one (1) minute, but not to exceed two (2) minutes in duration,” during which “all pupils remain seated and silent and make no distracting display so that each pupil may, in the exercise of his or her individual choice, meditate, pray, or engage in any other silent activity which does not interfere with, distract from, or impede other pupils' exercise of individual choice.”

Personal Electronic Devices
In response to KY House Bill 208, and in an effort to maximize student engagement during instructional time while limiting distractions throughout the day, all personal electronic devices—including but not limited to cell phones, AirPods, earbuds, smartwatches, camera-equipped glasses, etc.—must remain turned off and out of sight from the start of the school day until the end of the school day. Parents may contact the office to leave messages for students as needed. Students will be permitted to use office phones in cases of emergency.