Telecommunications Policy

Permitted/Not-permitted Times

Cell phones and headphones are not permitted in classes at any time.  During school hours, 7:50-2:30, cell phones are not permitted in the hallways, restrooms, or other common areas.

School staff may utilize cell phone lockers or cell phone pouches in their room during class time. 

Students will be permitted to use their cell phones and/or earbuds in the cafeteria during their assigned lunch period.

The use of cell phones during out of the building field trips will be at the discretion of the field trip sponsor.

Cell phones will be permitted after 2:30 for students in clubs, sports, or other activities.

Students who attend school off-campus with a partner institution shall follow the cell phone policy for the partner institution during their time off campus.

By bringing any of these devices to school, students assume the responsibility for their property and school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.  

Prohibited Items

The following items are not permitted during the school day with the exception of in the cafeteria during the student’s assigned lunch time.  Administration has the final say in what items are prohibited.

• Cell phones
• Tablet Devices
• Digital Gaming Devices (Nintendo Switch, etc.)
• Airpods
• Earbuds
• Headphones
• Smart Watches with texting ability

Procedure for School Day

All items addressed in the previous list shall be turned off and stored out of sight.  At no point should these be visible.  Any distraction caused by cell phones or other prohibited devices (ringing, buzzing, etc.) shall be considered a violation.  

Parent Communication

From time to time, it may be necessary for parents to communicate with their children during the school day.  Students will have access to their school email via their chromebook to communicate with parents.  If it is not possible to reach them via email due to extenuating circumstances, parents may call the office to leave a message for students to be delivered by the office to the student’s classroom.  

Coaches and sponsors can have announcements made at various times throughout the day.  Coaches and sponsors shall make every effort to communicate with parents and participants about schedule changes, cancellations, and other information.  

Students may also access their cell phone at lunch time to check in for schedule changes, etc.

Procedures for Violations

If a student is found to be using a cell phone or other prohibited item during non-permitted times, the student will be issued a discipline referral and the device will be locked in the main office until the end of the school day on a first offense.  Parents will be notified that their child has committed a cell phone violation.  Students may retrieve their items after their last class of the day.

2^nd offense – Student receives a discipline referral, the phone is taken and locked up in the main office until a parent can pick it up during office hours. 

3rd offense - Student receives a discipline referral and phone is locked up in the main office. Then, the student must turn in his/her phone to the main office before 7:50 AM daily and pick up after their final class of the day. This must be done for 9 weeks.

4th offense - Student receives a discipline referral and student is prohibited from having a phone on school grounds for 18 weeks.  

5th offense - Student receives a discipline referral and student is prohibited from having a phone on school grounds for one calendar year. 

Exceptions

The only exception to the expectation for cell phones to be out of sight will be for medical devices (i.e. blood sugar monitors) that connect to the cell phone for reading.  In these circumstances, accommodations will be made, but nothing shall permit students to be on their phones during class time aside from these accommodations.

Students who have technology-based readers as an accommodation on an IEP or 504 plan will be permitted to bring headphones for this purpose so that they may connect with their chromebook.

Students using Edgenuity may use headphones connected to their chromebooks,