CELL PHONES/ ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Definition of a Personal Communication Device: A device that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, or otherwise summons or delivers a communication to the possessor. A personal communication device stored in a vehicle on school grounds is not considered to be in the possession of the student.

Students will be allowed to use personal cell phones before school, during regular class changes, and during the students’ lunch break. All Phones must be in the student’s backpack or teacher designated area during class time. It is the SOLE responsibility of the student to silence or turn off their device and have his/ her phone in its designated area.

• A student’s refusal to turn over a cell phone (including battery and SIM card if applicable) will be considered Gross Insubordination (Category III offense). The student will also lose cell phone privileges for the remainder of the school year.
• A student who has had his/ her cell phone confiscated cannot bring another cell phone to school during the time they have lost cell phone privileges. This infraction will be considered Gross Insubordination (Category III).
• Students who have phones in class are responsible for having their phones turned off or otherwise silenced so that incoming calls or texts will not cause a disturbance.
• Students are responsible for phones in their possession. Consideration is not given regarding whether the phone is theirs or if the use was accidental.
• The taking of photos or the recording of videos, whether by cell phone or any other device, is prohibited.
• Using cell phone cameras to record altercations on school grounds or at school events is prohibited. In such cases, phones may be confiscated as evidence and consequences will be assigned. Consequences may be the same for the person who records an altercation as those involved in the altercation.
• The use of cell phones for cheating is strictly prohibited. As a means of protecting instructional time and/ or providing test security, teachers may elect to collect students’ cell phones during any class and return them at the end of the period. Accessing the internet via cellular hotspot within the school building is not allowed.

*In the case of a school-wide emergency, student use of cell phones will not be in violation of this policy.

1^st Offense-Teachers may confiscate a student’s cell phone for the duration of a class period and then return the phone directly to the student.

2^nd Offense-Teacher(s) will confiscate the item and send the item labeled with the student’s name and teacher’s name to administration. Consequences may be assigned, and the item will be held at the discretion of the administration.

Laser Devices

Possession of laser devices on school system property during school hours or during school sponsored events is prohibited. These devices are subject to confiscation if found in the possession of the student. Students may also be assigned discipline for this infraction.