This page is meant to help you follow the rules when using technology, but is not meant to replace the full 2024-2025 CMS CODE OF CONDUCT, as other rules may apply. 

NOTE: Students are responsible for following all CMS tech usage rules in person and online if it affects the school, regardless of who owns the device and whether or not you are on campus.

Rule 5 Personal Devices (Phones) 

PERSONAL PROPERTY (Responsibility): A student is permitted to bring or possess only objects that have an educational purpose or will not distract from teaching or learning. Students are permitted to sell items on campus only as part of an approved school activity. All other items will be confiscated and returned to the parent at a mutually agreed upon time, not to exceed one calendar week. In some cases this may be a violation of Rule 21B, 22, or 28.

5A. Personal Technology Devices UB: Cell Phone Use: A personal technology device (PTD) is a portable Internetaccessing device that is not the property of the district that can be used to transmit communications by voice, written characters, words or images, share information, record sounds, process words, and/or capture images, such as a laptop computer, tablet, smart phone, cell phone, smart watch, personal digital assistant or E-Reader. A student may possess and use a PTD on school property, at after-school activities and at school-related functions, provided that during school hours, the PTD remains off and put away. With the approval of the superintendent, a principal may permit students to possess and use PTDs during the school day for educational purposes. “Educational purposes” include student education, research and career development. A principal may put additional rules in place permitting student use of cell phones during noninstructional times of the school day. The principal must assure that these rules are publicized to students and parents. Possession of a PTD by a student is a privilege, which may be revoked for violations of the Code of Student Conduct. Violations may result in the confiscation of the PTD (to be returned only to a parent) and/or other disciplinary actions. The district is not responsible (monetary value or replacement) for theft, loss, or damage to PTDs or other electronic devices brought onto CMS property. Students permitted to use PTDs during the school day must follow all rules set forth in Policy S-SINT and Regulation S-SINT/R, and sign the Student Internet Use Agreement.

5B. Toys, games (electronic or other), lighters, and other electronic equipment UB: Inappropriate Item on School Property: Possession of these or any similar devices without permission of the administration is prohibited. No toy guns allowed. Possession of a toy gun that could be mistaken for an actual weapon is a violation of Rule 29, Weapons and Dangerous Objects

Rule 8 Bullying / Cyberbullying

BULLYING, PROFANITY, OBSCENITY AND/OR DEROGATORY LANGUAGE (Respect/Caring)

8A. Bullying, UB: Bullying, UB: Harassment-Gender identity, UB: Harassment-Racial, UB: HarassmentDisability, UB: Harassment-Religious Affiliation, UB: Harassment-Sexual Orientation: Bullying and/or harassing behavior are strictly prohibited in CMS. It is the policy of the Board of Education to maintain learning environments that are free from harassment or bullying (Policy S-BULY).

8B. Cyber-bullying, UB: Cyber-bullying: This rule applies to cursing, possessing, sending, social media posts, or receiving written materials or electronic text and/or images that convey an offensive, racial, derogatory, bullying or obscene message to another person. This includes but is not limited to references to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, physical or sensory disability, physical appearance that includes hair styles, or making offensive statements or gestures. Bullying is defined in CMS Regulation S-BULY/R and can be located on page 26. In addition, as with other disciplinary violations, any manner of bullying that occurs off campus may violate the Code of Student Conduct if it has a direct and immediate impact to the orderly and efficient operation of the school or the safety of individuals in the school environment. Students who feel bullied, harassed or intimidated on school property by an adult or another student or who witness such conduct may report it in one of two ways: 1. Go to www.cmsk12.org or your school’s website and click on the “Report Bullying Anonymously” button; 2. Use the Say Something Anonymous Reporting App or https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/say-something-tips/

8C. Profanity, Obscenity and/or Derogatory Language, UB: Inappropriate Language/Disrespect: Students are expected to use appropriate language and conduct at school and school functions and possess only appropriate materials

Rule 14 Vandalism

VANDALISM (Responsibility/Respect/Citizenship) UB: Property Damage: A student will not willfully, with or without malice, damage or destroy property of another, including property belonging to the school or district, staff, students or other adults on campus or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property or participate with others to do so. Vandalism may include but is not limited to stickers on the walls, writing on desks, graffiti, permanent markings, and damage to school issued technology. A student or parent/guardian may be held financially responsible by the judicial system.  

Rule 16 Theft 

THEFT (Responsibility/Respect/Citizenship) UB: Theft, UB: Inappropriate items on school property: A student will not steal or possess stolen property, or participate with others to do so. Stolen property includes any object that is possessed without the permission of the owner. 

Rule 21 Unauthorized Tech Use

MISUSE OF TECHNOLOGY (Honesty) UB: Misuse of school technology, UB: Honor Code Violation, UB: Communicating Threats, UB: Cyber-bullying:

21A. CMS-owned property: A student shall refrain from inappropriate use of school system computers/technology devices or from using the CMS electronic communications and wireless connection network without proper authority. This includes unauthorized use of sign on codes and the school telephone system, communication of threats or implied threats, harassment, racism, discrimination and unauthorized attempts to contact any CMS computer site from any computer station.

21B. Use, Distribution, or Creation of Inappropriate Content: A student will refrain from any activity or distribution of information through the Internet or other electronic means that would constitute a violation of a rule under the Code of Student Conduct or a violation of law, as, but not limited to, bullying or harassment on social media or other sites or the use of technology to defame someone’s character if the conduct has or may have a direct and immediate impact on the orderly and efficient operation of the schools or the safety of individuals in the school environment. Publication of information on the Internet is considered distribution regardless of the location of the technology device from which the offending content was published.

Rule 22 Explicit Material

PORNOGRAPHIC, PROFANE AND/OR VIOLENT MATERIAL (Respect/Citizenship) UB: Pornographic and/or profane material, UB: Possession of graphically violent material, UB: Harassment-Sexual: A student shall refrain from having or distributing any pornographic or profane material on school property or at school sponsored event, including but not limited to pictures, magazines, electronic text (including air dropping) or images and sexually explicit or graphically violent materials (including but not limited to documents or instructions concerning the creation of and/or the use of weapons). A student will not record others with the intent to defame, incite violence, or to promote unsafe actions. Some violations of Rule 22 are also a violation of Rule 27C and must be documented in the CMS Title IX Record Keeping System.