Student/Family Handbook

Personal electronic devices may be useful tools for students in the educational environment and can play a vital communication role during emergency situations. However, possession and use of personal electronic devices in school situations must be regulated to ensure that the use or presence of such devices does not disrupt or interfere with the educational process or school operations, or impair the safety, welfare, and privacy of students and staff. Therefore, in order to create engaging spaces in the educational environment that fosters sustained attention and maximizes learning, students may only use personal electronic devices in accordance with this policy. Building administration may develop and adopt school-specific personal electronic device policies that are consistent with this policy.

For purposes of this policy, "personal electronic devices" include any privately-owned portable technology device including but not limited to cell phones, a smart or electronic watch, tablets, laptops, Chromebooks, virtual reality devices, wireless earbuds/earphones, headphones, cameras, audio and/or video recorders and players, and any other hand-held electronic communication and data storage devices.

Students shall not use personal electronic devices as follows:

1. Students in grades PreK – 8: are prohibited from using personal electronic devices on school premises during the designated school day. The school day includes but is not limited to instructional time, lunch periods, recess, school-sponsored programs, events or activities, or any other time during the designated school day. Personal electronic devices may be kept in the student’s possession during the school day but must remain silent and out of site.

(a) The first week of the school year is considered the “warning week.” Students will receive warnings the first week of school.

(b) After the warning week, the first time a student is seen using a personal electronic device during the school day (including in bathrooms, lunchrooms and recess), the personal electronic devices will be turned over to staff and kept in the front office for the remainder of the day.

(c) The second time a student is found to be in violation of this prohibition in a quarter, the student will be required to turn in their personal electronic device to the front office of their school each morning, to be picked up at the end of the school day. Students who refuse to surrender a personal electronic device upon request by a teacher or other school official shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Steps (b) and (c) will reset at the beginning of each quarter.

(d) If the cell phone usage continues and admin must get involved multiple times with the same student, then they will have a meeting with the student and their parents to discuss alternatives to having a cell phone at school and any other possible next steps (restorative conferences, cell phone contract, etc.).

2. Students in grades 9 – 12: are prohibited from using personal electronic devices during instructional time. Instructional time includes the entire period of a scheduled class and other times when students are directed to report to and participate in any instructional activity. Students may wear smart or electronic watches, but may not use any communication applications or features that are prohibited from use on other electronic devices, and all notifications must be turned off. Personal electronic devices shall be kept out of sight and turned off during instructional time. Personal electronic devices may be used during passing times and lunch periods; however, such use is discouraged. Students may not use personal electronic devices in bathrooms or locker rooms.

(a) The first week of the school year is considered the “warning week.” Students will receive warnings the first week of school.

(b) After the warning week, the first time a student is seen using a personal electronic device in the classroom, the device will be turned over to the classroom teacher and will be kept at the teacher’s desk until the end of the period. If a student refuses to give up their device or is actively defiant towards the teacher, other administrators will step in, and the device will be collected and stored in the main office for the remainder of the day.

(c) If improper usage of personal electronic devices continues and administration must get involved multiple times with the same student, administration will have a meeting with the student and their parent/guardian to discuss alternatives to having personal electronic devices at school, and any other possible next steps (including, but not limited to restorative conferences, cell phone contract, etc.).

Students who refuse to surrender a personal electronic device upon request by a teacher or other school official shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Steps (b) and (c) will reset at the beginning of each quarter.

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that personal electronic devices are turned off and out of sight when use is not authorized. Personal electronic devices (1) that produce any audible sound, a ring tone, or vibrating alert, whether through a speaker, earbuds/earphones, buzzer, or other means, or (2) that are displayed or in plain view at such times shall be deemed to be used in violation of this policy.

Regardless of the permitted uses or limitations placed on the use of personal electronic devices, the following conduct is prohibited:

1. To engage in, promote, or facilitate any conduct that otherwise violates the Code of Student Conduct or other Board policies or regulations, or state or federal law.

2. In any manner that causes or results in disruption of the educational environment or school-sponsored extracurricular activities or events, or impairs or interferes with school or District operations.

3. To photograph or record the activities of other students or school personnel on District property or at school or school-sponsored activities, or to disseminate to others such photographs or recordings, in a manner intended to cause or result in, or in a manner the student using the device should reasonably have foreseen would cause or result in, emotional distress, embarrassment or humiliation of a person, or an invasion or violation of any person’s reasonable expectation of privacy.

4. Use of personal electronic devices in locker rooms, bathrooms, or other locations where the presence of such devices poses an unreasonable risk to the safety, welfare, or privacy of other persons, as determined by the building principal.

5. When their use is otherwise prohibited by this policy or by school rules. The principal may, at his or her discretion, establish and enforce additional rules for the use of personal electronic devices appropriate to individual campus needs. School officials are encouraged to set guidelines for the use of such devices during school trips and extracurricular activities.

Exceptions. Students may possess and use personal electronic devices during instructional time or when otherwise prohibited, under the following circumstances:

1. When specifically authorized under a current individual education plan (IEP), a Section 504 accommodation plan, or a health care plan in force and effect regarding the student.

Loss or Damage. The District shall not be responsible for the loss, theft, or destruction of personal electronic devices brought onto school, or District property, or while the student is attending District or school-sponsored activities or events.