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Shahala Telecommunications Guidance
for cell phones, ear buds, smart watches, headphones, etc
This year, we are continuing our school-wide cell phone, headphone, and personal device policy. There is a great deal of research that shows the negative impact of cell phone use at school. Students who are not distracted by phones during class have both better academic and social outcomes.
In summary, students will not be able to use phones, headphones, smart watches, or personal devices during class time OR in hallways during passing periods or lunch. Students will be able to use their phones before school until the first bell rings at 9:30 AM and after school when the last bell rings at 4:05 PM. Click here to view our bell schedule.
During the appropriate times, students can still view messages like, “Don’t forget to ride the bus home today.” Parents with an urgent need to contact their student during class time should call Shahala’s front office at (360) 604–3800. We will help you reach your student quickly. Or, parents can call the school and we will deliver messages, reminders, and bus notes to students. Students may also come to the front office with permission from their teacher to call or text parents.
General Rules
Cell phones, headphones, air pods, smart watches, tablets, and other personal electronic or smart devices should be silent and away during school hours.
The ONLY times students can use their cell phones and personal electronic devices include: before school until the first bell rings at 9:30 AM and after school after the last bell rings at 4:05 PM.
No cell phone, headphone, or personal electronic device use is allowed in the hallways at any time, including during the 5-minute passing time between classes and lunch.
No cell phone or headphone use (or use of other non-educational technology devices) during class time, UNLESS directed by a teacher for educational purposes.
Classroom and Front Office Rules
Cell phones, headphones, and personal electronic devices should be kept in students’ backpacks or in a classroom-provided pouch/bag during class time.
Devices can still be turned on (but kept on SILENT mode) so parents are able to track device location if desired.
If students need to use their cell phone for a specific reason, they must ask permission from the teacher first. Students may ask to go to the front office to make a call on the office telephone. We have a telephone on the front desk, in the health room, and in our conference room that students can use.
Students can ask office staff for permission to use their cell phones inside the front office area if they prefer to use their cell phone instead of the desk phone. If students cannot remember their parent's phone number, office staff will help look up their contact information.
Silent and Away means:
Silent = no sound, ringer off, Do Not Disturb mode
Away = in a backpack or classroom pouch/bag, not in a student’s pocket
Consequences for Violating Cell Phone Policy
First Violation:
Teacher may offer a sleeping bag for backpack storage. (Sleeping bags/phones are still off and away - not on desks.)
Teacher/Staff submits minor referral
Teacher/Staff contacts parents via ParentSquare
Second Violation:
Teacher may offer a sleeping bag for backpack storage.(Sleeping bags/phones are still off and away - not on desks.)
Teacher submits minor referral requesting Lunch Detention
Teacher contacts parents via ParentSquare
Third Violation:
A member of the Student Support Team responds to the classroom and stores the device in the office until 4:05. (Phone suspension)
Teacher submits minor referral requesting Lunch Detention
Teacher contacts parents via ParentSquare
Fourth Violation:
A member of the Student Support Team responds to the classroom and stores the device in the office until 4:05 (Phone suspension)
Teacher submits major referral requesting Student Support Team involvement
Parent /Guardian conference with Student Support Team to discuss a plan of support
Progressive disciplinary action which may include suspension.
Safety Violation:
Anyone using a device to record unsafe behavior or participating in online bullying, will have their device suspended for the rest of the trimester and may receive additional disciplinary action. Electronic behaviors deemed to be harassment, intimidation, or bullying, even when occurring off-campus, may be subject to in-school disciplinary responses.
Accommodations
There will be accommodations for special services, such as Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs), Individualized Health Plans (IHPs), and 504s. For other cases, please contact the school to discuss arrangements.
Email administrators (view Shahala Staff page) or call the Main Office: (360) 604 - 3800
Cell Phone Policy Poster
Evergreen School District #114 Administrative Procedure No. 3245P
Students and Telecommunication Devices
Definitions
Definitions
Device: All personal electronic communication devices, including but not limited to the following personal devices and accessories used for communication and entertainment: cellphones, smartphones, smartwatches, earbuds, headphones, video recording devices, personal laptop computers, tablets, other wearable electronics, and other similar electronic devices. This does not include district-issued devices or devices approved by the administration for educational use or devices needed to support students with an IEP, Section 504 plans, or Individualized Health Plans.
School Day: From the official start time to the end of the day at school dismissal, including class periods, passing periods, free periods, lunch periods, recess, and assemblies. For activities that take place off-campus when students are normally in school, such as field trips, trip-specific personal electronic device regulations will be established by the trip facilitator.
Students in possession of telecommunications devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, tablets, and smart watches, while on school property or while attending school- sponsored or school-related activities will observe the following conditions:
Elementary and Middle School Levels: Devices will only be accessible and operated before and after school hours unless an emergency exists that involves imminent physical danger or a school administrator or designee authorizes the student to use the device.
High School: Devices will not be accessed during classroom instructional hours. Individual schools can determine whether electronic devices can be accessed during non-instructional times throughout the day. If an emergency exists that involves imminent physical danger cell phones may be accessed, or if a school administrator or designee authorizes the student to use the device;
Personal devices may be used for specific instructional purposes with approval from administration and under the supervision and direction of the classroom teacher;
Students may access their personal devices as needed to manage their documented medical condition written in their IEP, Section 504, or Individualized Health Care Plan;
Students not following school/district rules regarding acceptable times of device use may have their devices confiscated and returned in the same school day. Repeated offenses may result in a required parent/guardian meeting to discuss a plan;
Students will not use telecommunication or personal devices in a manner that poses a threat to academic integrity, disrupts the learning environment, or violates the privacy rights of others;
Students will not take, send, share, view, or possess pictures, text messages, audio messages, emails, or other material depicting sexually explicit conduct, as defined in RCW 9.68A.011, in electronic or any other form on a cell phone or other telecommunication or personal device, while the student is on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, or on school buses or vehicles provided by the district;
When a school official has reasonable suspicion, based on objective and articulable facts, that a student is using a telecommunication or personal device in a manner that violates the law, the official may confiscate the device;
By bringing a cell phone or other telecommunication or personal device to school or school-sponsored events, the student and their parent or guardian consent to the search of the device when school officials have a reasonable suspicion, based on objective and articulable facts, that such a search will reveal a violation of the law or school rules. The scope of the search will be limited to the violation of which the student is accused. Content or images that violate state or federal laws will be referred to law enforcement;
Students are responsible for telecommunication or personal devices they bring to school. The district will not be responsible for loss, theft, or destruction of telecommunication or personal devices brought onto school property or to school sponsored events;
Students will comply with any additional rules developed by the school concerning the appropriate use of telecommunication or other electronic devices and;
Students who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in Policy 3241 and Procedure 3241P.
Parental/Guardian Communication with Students
Parental/Guardian Communication with Students
Parents/guardians should not expect to communicate with their children using personal communication devices during the school day. Parents who need to communicate with their child in the case of an emergency, should call the school.
If necessary, students may request permission from a teacher, staff member, or other District employee to utilize a phone under the direction of a staff member to call parents/guardians during the school day.
Adopted by the Superintendent: February 14, 2025
Revised by the Superintendent: April 29, 2025
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