Electronic Device Expectations

Electronic Device Plan and Procedures

In an effort to create an environment more conducive to academics and learning, Emmaus High School will is committed to upholding best practices for the use of Electronic Devices (cell phones, smart watches, metaglasses, earbuds, etc.)  in the school setting.  Teachers and administrators will clearly communicate these expectations and students must understand that the use of electronic devices in class, other than their Chromebook, has a significant impact on their ability to learn.  

Start of Year Class Meetings:

• An email and student handbook with guidelines and expectations will be emailed to each student.  

• Teachers will be explaining this in each class and this information will also be included on all course syllabi. 

• At each class meeting, the administration will clearly explain the following:

  • Cell phones, earbuds, smart watches, metaglasses, etc. must be turned off, out of sight in desk pouches, or in cell phone caddies provided in classrooms, during Hornet Huddle, and the Learning Lab.   Ideally, phones should be in Airplane mode to not distract others.

  • Electronic Devices will then be collected in their pouches by the teacher and stored in a secure box or caddy for the duration of the class.

  • Teachers, along with their students, will discuss and agree upon the most appropriate approach out of the 2 options (desk pouches in box, or in cell phone caddies) for their particular classroom.  This will occur during the first week of school in ALL classes.

  • Electronic Devices may NOT be on the student’s person or desk (Ambient Distraction Article.) but should be in a caddy or pouch in the box.

  • Electronic Devices may not be taken to the bathrooms for any reason. Pouches with the electronic devices inside will be kept in the box in each classroom.

  • Electronic Devices may only be used with teacher permission and only for instructional purposes.

  • Teachers may provide a short (2-3 minute break) once per class period if desired but no more than that.  This break will be used as a reward and is not an expectation. This is at the teacher's discretion.

  • Electronic Devices may be used during lunch, homeroom (except for during Hornet Huddle lessons), and study halls.

  • During lunch, homeroom (except during Hornet Huddle) and study halls, music can only be played through earbuds or headphones.

  • Teachers may not have their electronic devices visible to the students during instructional time except for emergency situations or if they are being used for instructional purposes.

Expectations:

• Students are welcome to use their electronic devices until the bell rings for the start of class.  Once the class begins, all students are to place their phones in their desk pouches and then in the large box or in cell phone caddies provided in classrooms.  Electronic Devices may not be accessed for the remainder of the class.

• All devices must be on silent. 

• There are times when we may use cell phones as a part of a class activity.  The expectation is that students will not be using this time to access social media, games, etc. 

• When going to the bathroom or anywhere else in the building,  the electronic device pouch must remain in the box or caddy and electronic devices must stay in the classroom while you are out.  

• Students may not take electronic devices to the bathrooms regardless of the class they are leaving.

• Upon finishing classwork and teacher’s discretion, students may be entitled to access your electronic devices during a break (less than 3) minutes of class time.  

• If the student is using electronic devices during class, outside of what has been stated above, a verbal warning will be issued first and subsequent violations will follow the consequences outlined below.

• Students who have IEP SDIs or behavior plans that require music will be permitted to continue this.

• Students who monitor health issues using their phones will be provided a clear pouch to view their cell phones at all times.

• Students should not bring their cell phones to the nurse's office with the exception of a medical condition requiring the phone.

Consequences for Non-compliance (beginning on the first day of the school year)

1. 1st Use: If the student is found using electronic devices during class, outside of what has been stated above, a verbal warning will be issued by the teacher. This will also result in a phone call to a parent/guardian by the teacher within 24 hours, and the teacher may direct the student to place the electronic device on the teacher’s desk until the end of the block.  

2. 2nd Use: If electronic device use continues, the teacher may refer the student to their administrator for disciplinary action under the  Insubordination infraction (Level 2). The teacher must include in the referral the dates of steps 1 - 3 outlined above.

3. Insubordination or Disrespect:  

   1. Students who become seriously disrespectful (foul language, refusal to comply, disruption in class, etc.) with a teacher about the electronic device procedure will be issued an immediate referral.  

   2. If the student continues to cause a disruption in the learning environment, then the teacher should call a student advisor or the assistant principal’s office so that the student can be removed and then dial “0” and request an escort to the student's AP office. The teacher will write the referral after class.  The administrator may code this as a continuation of a Level 2 infraction.

   3. Teachers should not physically remove or take a device from a student or their desk.

Articles to Support This Change and Help Students and Families

The Science: Neurodevelopmental & Academic Impact

• Away for the Day, Impact on Academics & Emotion

• Harvard University, Dopamine, Smartphones, & You

• University of North Carolina, What Might Your Phone Be Doing to Your Brain

• InnerDrive, Impact of Mobile Phones on Grades

• Edutopia, There's a Cell Phone in Your Student's Head

• U.S. News, Cellphones in School: What to Know

When To Get Help: Information on Signs, Symptoms, Treatments, & Organizations

• BNI Treatment Centers, What to Do About Teenage Cell Phone Use

• Healthline. How to Tell if You Could be Addicted to Your Phone

• American Academy of Pediatrics, Media & Children

• Johns Hopkins, Addiction to Electronic Devices

• Addiction Center, Phone Addiction: Warning Signs & Treatment

• University of Nevada, Smartphone Addiction How Technology Affects Public Health and Social Relationships

• New York Times, I'm Addicted to My Phone. How Can I Cut Back?

Plan y Procedimientos para Dispositivos Electrónicos

Con el fin de crear un ambiente más propicio para el aprendizaje y el desarrollo académico, la Escuela Secundaria Emmaus se compromete a seguir las mejores prácticas en el uso de dispositivos electrónicos (teléfonos celulares, relojes inteligentes, gafas inteligentes, auriculares, etc.) dentro del recinto escolar. Los docentes y administradores comunicarán claramente estas expectativas, y los estudiantes deben comprender que el uso de dispositivos electrónicos en clase, a excepción de su Chromebook, afecta significativamente su capacidad de aprendizaje.

Reuniones de clase al inicio del año escolar:

• Se enviará por correo electrónico a cada estudiante un correo electrónico y un manual del estudiante con las directrices y expectativas.

• Los maestros explicarán esto en cada clase y esta información también se incluirá en todos los programas de los cursos.

• En cada sesión de clase, la administración explicará claramente lo siguiente:

  • teléfonos celulares, auriculares, relojes inteligentes, gafas inteligentes, etc.. debe estar apagado, fuera de la vista en bolsas de escritorio o en soportes para teléfonos celulares que se proporcionan en los salones, durante el Hornet Huddle y el Laboratorio de Aprendizaje. Lo ideal es que los teléfonos estén en modo avión para no distraer a los demás.

  • Los dispositivos electrónicos serán recogidos por el profesor en sus fundas y almacenados en una caja o carrito seguro durante la duración de la clase.

  • Los maestros, junto con sus estudiantes, discutirán y acordarán el enfoque más apropiado de entre las opciones disponibles. Dos opciones (Bolsas de escritorio en caja o en estuches para teléfonos móviles. Para su salón en particular. Esto ocurrirá durante la primera semana de clases en TODAS las asignaturas.

  • Los dispositivos electrónicos NO deben estar sobre la persona o el escritorio del estudiante. (Artículo sobre distracciones ambientales.) Pero debería estar en una cesta o bolsa en la caja.

  • Los dispositivos electrónicos no permiten ir al baño bajo ninguna circunstancia. Las bolsitas que contienen los dispositivos electrónicos se guardarán en la caja de cada salón.

  • Dispositivos electrónicos - su uso está restringido a la autorización del maestro y únicamente con fines didácticos.

  • Los maestros podrán conceder un breve descanso (de 2 a 3 minutos) una vez por clase, si así lo desean, pero no más. Este descanso se considerará una recompensa y no una obligación.Esto queda a criterio del maestro.

  • Los dispositivos electrónicos pueden utilizarse durante el almuerzo, la hora de tutoría (excepto durante las clases de Hornet Huddle) y las salas de estudio.

  • Durante el almuerzo, la tutoría (excepto durante la reunión de los Hornets) y las horas de estudio, solo se puede escuchar la música a través de auriculares.

  • Los maestros no podrán tener sus dispositivos electrónicos a la vista de los estudiantes durante el horario lectivo, salvo en situaciones de emergencia o si se utilizan con fines didácticos.

Expectativas:

• Los estudiantes pueden usar sus dispositivos electrónicos hasta que suena la campana para el comienzo de la clase. Una vez que comience la clase, todos los estudiantes deben colocar sus teléfonos en sus bolsas de escritorio y luego en la caja grande o en los estuches para teléfonos celulares que se proporcionan en los salones. No se podrá utilizar ningún dispositivo electrónico durante el resto de la clase.

• Todos los dispositivos deben estar en silencio.

• En ocasiones, podemos usar teléfonos celulares como parte de una actividad de clase. Se espera que los estudiantes no utilicen este tiempo para acceder a redes sociales, juegos, etc.

• Cuando vayas al baño o a cualquier otro lugar del edificio, la funda del dispositivo electrónico debe permanecer en la caja o el estuche, y los dispositivos electrónicos deben quedarse en el aula mientras estés fuera.

• Los estudiantes no pueden llevar dispositivos electrónicos a los baños, independientemente de la clase que estén abandonando.

• Al terminar el trabajo de clase y a discreción del maestro, los estudiantes pueden tener derecho a acceder a sus dispositivos electrónicos durante un descanso (menos de 3) minutos de tiempo de clase.

• Si el estudiante utiliza dispositivos electrónicos durante la clase, más allá de lo estipulado anteriormente, primero se le dará una advertencia verbal y las infracciones posteriores conllevarán las consecuencias que se describen a continuación.

• Los estudiantes que tengan planes de educación individualizada (PEI) o planes de comportamiento que requieran música podrán continuar con esto.

• A los estudiantes que controlen su salud mediante sus teléfonos móviles se les proporcionará una funda transparente para que puedan ver sus teléfonos en todo momento.

• Los estudiantes no deben llevar sus teléfonos celulares a la enfermería, salvo en caso de una condición médica que requiera su uso.

Consecuencias por incumplimiento (a partir del primer día del año escolar)

1. Primer uso: Si se descubre que el estudiante está utilizando dispositivos electrónicos durante la clase, más allá de lo indicado anteriormente, el maestro le dará una advertencia verbal. Esto también implica una llamada telefónica del maestro a un padre/guardián dentro de 24 horas, y el maestro podrá indicarle al estudiante que coloque el dispositivo electrónico sobre el escritorio del maestro hasta el final de la clase.

2. Segundo uso: Si el uso de dispositivos electrónicos persiste, el maestro podrá remitir al estudiante a su superior para que se tomen medidas disciplinarias por la infracción de insubordinación (Nivel 2). El maestro deberá incluir en la remisión las fechas de los pasos 1 a 3 descritos anteriormente.

3. Insubordinación o falta de respeto: 

1. Los estudiantes que muestren una falta de respeto grave (lenguaje inapropiado, negativa a cumplir las normas, interrupción de la clase, etc.) hacia un maestro en relación con el procedimiento de uso de dispositivos electrónicos serán remitidos inmediatamente a otro departamento.

2. Si el estudiante continúa causando interrupciones en el ambiente de aprendizaje, el maestro debe llamar a un asesor estudiantil o a la oficina del subdirector para que el estudiante pueda ser retirado y luego marcar "0" y solicitar que lo acompañen a la oficina del subdirector del estudiante. El maestro redactará el informe después de clase. El administrador podrá clasificarlo como una continuación de una infracción de nivel 2.

3. Los maestros no deben retirar físicamente ni quitarle un dispositivo a un estudiante ni a su escritorio.

Artículos para respaldar este cambio y ayudar a los estudiantes y las familias.

(los articulos estan en ingles - se puede usar Google para traducir)

La ciencia: desarrollo neurológico e impacto académico

• Lejos por el día, Impacto en lo académico y la emoción

• Universidad Harvard, Dopamina, teléfonos inteligentes y usted

• Universidad de Carolina del Norte,¿Qué podría estar haciéndole su teléfono a su cerebro?

• Impulso interno, Impacto de los teléfonos móviles en las calificaciones

• Edutopia, Hay un teléfono celular en la cabeza de su estudiante

• Noticias de EE. UU., Teléfonos celulares en la escuela: qué saber

Cuándo obtener ayuda: información sobre signos, síntomas, tratamientos y organizaciones

• Centros de Tratamiento BNI, Qué hacer con el uso de teléfonos celulares en adolescentes

• Línea de salud, Cómo saber si podría ser adicto a su teléfono

• Academia Americana de Pediatría, Medios y niños

• Johns Hopkins, Adicción a los dispositivos electrónicos

• Centro de Adicciones,  Adicción al teléfono: señales de advertencia y tratamiento

• Universidad de Nevada, Adicción a los teléfonos inteligentes Cómo la tecnología afecta la salud pública y las relaciones sociales

• New York Times, Soy adicto a mi teléfono. ¿Cómo puedo recortar?

Electronic Devices shall include, but are not limited to, mobile telephones, smartphones, smartwatches, wearable technology, smart glasses, augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) devices, artificial intelligence-enabled devices, earbuds or headphones capable of wireless communication, tablets, laptops, e-readers, gaming devices, personal assistants, cameras, audio or video recording devices, laser pointers, and any other personal devices capable of recording, storing, transmitting, receiving, processing, displaying, or accessing digital information or communications.  

Recording / Livestreaming Prohibited

EHS prohibits all students from any use of electronic devices in locker rooms, bathrooms, and other changing areas.

Students shall not use electronic devices to photograph, record, livestream, broadcast, or otherwise capture or distribute audio, video, images, or other information concerning students, District employees, classrooms, instructional activities, or any school-sponsored activity or event that is not open to the general public without the prior authorization of the building administrator, supervising employee, or as otherwise authorized for instructional purposes. 

This prohibition applies whether the class, activity, or event takes place in person or remotely, including during virtual instruction, remote learning days, or video-based class sessions.  This provision applies regardless of whether the student is physically present in a District building.

Wearable Devices

Students shall be required by District employees to remove, silence, secure, or temporarily surrender wearable electronic devices whenever reasonably necessary to protect academic integrity, student privacy, safety, or the orderly operation of school activities.

HIGH SCHOOL

EHS prohibits the use of any electronic devices by any High School student during instructional times during the school day (from the beginning of 1st period until the end of last period), which includes bathrooms and homeroom.   

Students in the High School are permitted to use electronic devices during non-instructional times including lunch periods, before school hours, after school hours, study halls, and between classes, so long as such use does not:

1. Disrupt school activities or instruction

2. Violate any other Board or school policies

3. Violate state or federal law

4. Violate any of the prohibitions set forth elsewhere in this policy.

Use on District Transportation

Students may use electronic devices while riding District transportation provided that such use does not, in the judgment of the bus driver or school administration: 

• Create a safety concern

• Distract the driver

• Violate any other District policy

• Photograph or record others without authorization, or

• Disrupt the safe transportation environment

Additional Provisions

If an electronic device utilizes the District’s internet connection, the School District’s Acceptable Use Policy applies and is incorporated herein by reference.

Coaches, advisors, trip chaperones, and other staff supervising extracurricular activities may establish more restrictive limitations regarding the possession, wearing, or use of electronic devices whenever they reasonably determine it is necessary for the safety, supervision, team expectations, student privacy, or the educational purposes of the activity.  

Academic Integrity

Electronic devices may not be used to obtain, access, generate, receive, transmit, or communicate answers or assistance with any assessment, examination, quiz, or other academic activity where such assistance has not been authorized by the teacher. 

Loss or Damage to Electronic Devices

Students are solely responsible for the safe storage of any personal electronic devices that they choose to bring to school, even if the device is stored in a pouch or container provided by the District.  The District shall not be liable or responsible for the loss or damage to any electronic devices that a student brings to school, extracurricular activities, to school-sponsored events or trips, or from the confiscation of an electronic device as the result of a policy violation.

Student Responsibility for Data Charges

No student shall be required to provide a personal electronic device as a condition of receiving educational instruction.  If any student chooses to utilize such a device pursuant to this policy, the student and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) assume full responsibility for any phone or data charges that may result from such use.  

Limitation on Technical Support

District information technology staff may not provide technical assistance to students for their personal devices.  However, this policy shall not prohibit District information technology staff from providing general instructions for the configuration of such devices to access or connect to District-owned technology resources. 

Confiscation and Penalties

District employees shall require students to silence, secure, or put away electronic devices whenever reasonably necessary to maintain safety, instructional effectiveness, student privacy, or the orderly operation of school activities. 

Violations of this policy by a student shall result in disciplinary action and possible confiscation of the electronic device. The confiscated item shall be returned to the student's parent/guardian.   A photo of the front and back of the device will be taken at the time of confiscation to document its condition at the time of confiscation. 

Building administrators may impose additional disciplinary sanctions against students for violations of this policy, including suspensions from school or recommendations for expulsion from school as warranted by the specific facts and circumstances in a particular case.