Student Cell Phone Use

Per Policy# 3515.1

Students may bring a cell phone to school. Students shall not display, use, activate, or permit cell phones to be activated in any school building during the instructional day, without the expressed permission of the classroom teacher for educational purposes and on the way to or from school. Students are not permitted to activate and/or use cell phones or electronic devices at any school-sponsored activity (on or off school property), or while on route to or from any school function (such as field trips) in a district school bus.

Storage and Possession

All personal devices must be turned off and stored in the student’s backpack/locker for the entirety of the school day.

Use of cell phones during school hours is strictly prohibited, unless under the direction and supervision of a classroom teacher for educational purposes. Cell phones are not to be seen during the instructional day in any other instances. The instructional day includes, but is not limited to, lunch break, class changes, and any other structured or non-structured instructional activity that occurs during the normal school day. Students are responsible to ensure that their cell phones are in silent mode or turned off and out of sight.

At school activities held outside the instructional day, student cell phones may be activated and used at the end of the activity to notify parents/guardians of the need for transportation. Cell phones are not to be used during after-school activities, unless authorized by the activity advisor.

Because of the threat to privacy and the integrity of individual students and staff members and the educational program, the use of a camera function or other recording function of a cell phone and other electronic devices is strictly prohibited on school premises or at school activities. The use of cell phones and other electronic devices is prohibited in restrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities.

Failure to comply with this policy will subject students to sanctions as described in the code of student conduct. In all cases of violation of this policy, the cell phone shall be confiscated by the administration and must be picked up by the parent/guardian.

In no case will the school district be responsible for the loss, theft or damage of a student’s cell phone.

Exceptions

Nothing in this policy shall prohibit a student from using an electronic communication device for a purpose documented in a classified student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a plan developed under Section 504 of the "Rehabilitation Act of 1973,” 29 USC 794. A student may use an electronic communication device to monitor or address a health condition with prior permissions from the Principal, in consultation with the school nurse to be documented in the student's Individualized Health Plan.

Policy Implementation

Any student who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action which may include, but is not limited to, parental/guardian notification, confiscation and privilege denial.