Warren Young Explorers Board of Education Policy
School Name: Warren Young Explorers School
Policy Name: Student Use of Wireless Communication & Instructional Technology Policy
Plan Effective Date: August 24, 2026
Board Approval Date: August 11, 2026
Plan Administrator/Contact: Robin Jackson, Head of School (robin.jackson@warrenyes.org)
Section I. Purpose and Overview
The Warren Young Explorers Board of Directors recognizes that while technology is an essential tool for 21st-century learning, unregulated device usage and excessive passive screen time disrupt the educational environment, fuel cyberbullying, and harm student mental health. In compliance with North Carolina Session Law 2025-38 and NCDPI guidance, this policy establishes strict boundaries for student personal wireless communication devices and outlines standards for active, purposeful screen use.
Section II. Definitions
Wireless Communication Device (WCD): Any personal, internet-connected portable hardware capable of voice, text, image, or data transmission. This includes cellular phones, smartwatches, tablets, personal laptops, gaming systems, and wireless earbuds.
Instructional Time: Instructional time is defined as the moment a student enters the building until the time the student leaves the school campus.
Purposeful Screen Use: The intentional application of school-issued technology to enhance learning through active creation, critical thinking, or collaboration, as opposed to passive entertainment consumption.
Section III. Personal Devices (The Classroom Ban)
"Off and Away" Expectation: All student-owned WCDs must be powered off completely (not silenced or placed on "Do Not Disturb") and secured out of sight in backpacks or designated classroom storage lockers during all instructional time.
Network Restrictions: Students are strictly prohibited from bypassing school firewalls via personal cellular hot-spots or VPNs. School-provided Wi-Fi networks must actively block all unauthorized social media platforms.
Section IV. Purposeful Screen Time & Instructional Caps
To prevent digital fatigue and ensure balanced neurological development, school-issued devices (laptops, Chromebooks, iPads) must adhere to the following instructional criteria:
Passive vs. Active Ratios: Screen-based instruction must prioritize "active" use (e.g., coding, typing essay drafts, graphic design). "Passive consumption" (e.g., watching lecture videos, scrolling informational text) must not exceed 20% of a lesson block.
Grade Level Screen Caps:
Grades K–2 Daily: Total instructional screen exposure shall not exceed 30 minutes per school day.
Grades 3–6 Daily: Total instructional screen exposure shall not exceed 40 minutes per school day.
Digital-Analog Balance: Daily assignments and formal testing in core subjects must be completed using physical paper, print textbooks, and handwriting mediums.
Section V. Legally Mandated Exceptions
As required by North Carolina state statute, a student may access or display a device during instructional time under the following conditions:
IEP/504 Protections: The device is explicitly required by an approved Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 Plan, or Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation.
Medical Management: Access is required to monitor a documented medical condition (e.g., continuous glucose monitoring).
Safety Emergencies: An immediate, authorized public safety threat exists where communication is life-saving.
Teacher Authorization: A teacher explicitly approves temporary access for a distinct, timed educational activity.
Section VI. Enforcement & Disciplinary Cascades
Violations of this policy will result in progressive disciplinary actions managed by school administration:
1st Offense: Verbal warning; device immediately confiscated by staff and given to the school administration. The administration will notify the parent and return the device to the students at the end of the school day.
2nd Offense: Administrative device confiscation. The device will only be released directly to a parent or legal guardian. The student will not be allowed to bring the WCD to school for 10 school days.
3rd Offense: Loss of personal device privileges on campus for the remainder of the academic semester/year. The student will face disciplinary measures consistent with the Warren YES Student Code of Conduct.