Personal Electronic Device Policy

Personal Electronic Devices

TTSD SRRH (LINK)

Policy Snapshot and HMS Response

The following guidelines describe the responsibilities of students and parents/guardians regarding the use of personal electronic devices during the school day.  

A personal electronic device is defined as any portable, electrically powered device that is capable of making and receiving calls and text messages or accessing the internet independently from the school’s network infrastructure.  Devices that are considered personal electronic devices include but are not limited to: cellphones, smart watches, gaming devices, Airpods, earbuds, and Bluetooth connected headphones.  

This definition does not include a laptop computer or other devices required to support academic activities.  Teachers may determine when a device is required or appropriate to support academic activities such as two-way authentication or translation, and may also allow students to connect headphones to school-issued devices such as Chromebooks and iPads.  

Responsibilities and Restrictions For K-12 Students

During the school day, personal electronic devices must be “off and away,” from the start of instructional hours (8:24 or 9:24 on late arrival) until the end of the instructional day (3:10).  Personal electronic devices may be stored in a locker, backpack, or small bag, but not on the student’s person nor in their pockets and/or clothing.  Personal electronic devices must be turned off and put away for the duration of the instructional day, including during passing times, bathroom breaks, and lunchtime.  The district will not be liable for the loss of or damage to any personal electronic device brought to district property and/or district-sponsored activities. 

Privacy and Community Well-Being 

Filming and sharing videos or photos on social media or with peers can cause harm. Students who engage in this behavior will be expected to work with school staff to repair the harm done. They may also face disciplinary actions and continued education and support. Parents/guardians should refrain from texting or calling their student’s phone during the instructional day. To communicate with a student, parents/guardians should contact the school’s main office. Students may not order food nor other goods from vendors, including UberEats, Doordash or other delivery services. This helps us keep our campus secure and limits interruptions to our office staff. In actual emergencies, cell-phone use should be limited to contacting emergency service providers to avoid disrupting critical communications. Students should never make false emergency reports, such as false calls to 911 or inaccurate reports to Safe Oregon.

How can you help? 

Highlight the following points with your student(s):

• Personal electronic device use is only permitted in the main office upon permission from office personnel.

• Common signs throughout the building will reinforce personal electronic device expectations - “Silent and Away”.

• Personal electronic devices may ONLY be used before 8:24am / 9:24am on late start, and after 3:10pm.

• Personal electronic devices may not be on the student’s person nor in their pockets and/or clothing.

Please…partner with us and refrain from texting or calling your student’s phone during the school day. If you need to get a message to your student, please call the main office (503-431-5100). 

Thank you for your support and understanding as we collectively improve the social interactions and academic focus for our community.

Office Response  to Personal Electronic Device Policy Violations

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure personal electronic devices do not disrupt the learning atmosphere. In the event a student is in violation of the personal electronic device policy, school staff will respond with the following actions:

1. First Violation: The personal electronic device is confiscated and held in the school office for student pick-up at the end of the day. The student must sign that they have read and understand the personal electronic device policy and parents are notified by the office.

2. Second Violation: The personal electronic device is confiscated and must be picked up by a parent or guardian. Additionally, a level two response, outlined in the TTSD Discipline Framework, will be assigned. At the middle level, the student will be placed on a personal electronic device check in/check out plan for 2 weeks.  

3. Third Violation: The personal electronic device is confiscated for parent/guardian pick-up, and progressive discipline will apply. At the middle level, this will include lunch or after school detention, and the student being placed on a check-in/check-out plan for the remainder of the quarter. If the offense occurs within the last 3 weeks of the quarter, then the check-in / check-out plan will include the following quarter. The violation count will be re-set each quarter, unless a student reaches their 3rd violation, two times in one school year. At that point, a student will be placed on a check-in / check-out plan for the remainder of the school year. 

Discipline for the possession or use of a personal electronic device may not include loss of instructional time for the student (such as suspension or expulsion).  However, if the actions taken by a student violate another conduct policy, the student may be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion.