Students are not permitted to use cellular phones and/or electronic communication devices (ECD’s) for any reason in all academic areas of the school building/property and school-sponsored activities without teacher or administrative consent.
Also, during school activities when directed by an administrator, teacher, or other staff member, cellular phones and other ECDs shall be turned off (not just placed into vibrate or silent mode) and stored out of sight.
Such communication devices include, but are not limited to
- Cellular phones
- Blackberry devices and other PDAs
- iPods and MP3 players
- iPads, tablets, and other eReaders
- Laptops, notebooks, and any other personal computing devices
- Cameras or other photographic equipment
- Headphones, headsets, or in-ear headphones such as earbuds, and
- Any other device capable of recording audio, photographic or video content, capable of viewing or playing back such content
Academic areas of the school building/property and school-sponsored activities include but are not limited to:
- Classrooms
- Quiet Study
- Library
- Computer room
- Gymnasium
- In School Suspension
- 45 min/ 2 hr. detention
- Assemblies (i.e. guest speakers, pep rally, etc.)
Students will not be allowed to be in possession of a cellular phone or electronic device during a Regents exam or during any breaks (such as a visit to the restroom). Test proctors, test monitors, and school officials shall retain the right to collect and hold any prohibited electronic device prior to the start of the test administration. Admission to the test shall be denied to any student who is in possession of a cellular phone or other prohibited device and refuses to relinquish it. If a student keeps their cellular phone or any electronic prohibited electronic device with them, their exam will be invalidated and will receive no score.
II. A student may possess and use a cellular phone or other electronic devices in non-academic or designated places and/or specific circumstances. These include:
- The student is given permission by the teacher to use their cellular phone or ECD in the classroom for an academic or research purpose.
- Cafeteria during lunch periods.
- Hallways during the passing between classes.
- The student has a special medical circumstance (i.e. an ill family member, or his/her own special medical condition) and has received prior permission from the building Principal or their designee.
- The student is using the cellular phone or ECD during an emergency situation involving the immediate health/safety of themselves or other individual(s).
III. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action/or confiscation of the cellular phone or ECD. If the cellular phone or ECD is confiscated, it will be released/returned to the student’s parent after the student complies with any other disciplinary consequences that are imposed. A building principal may also refer the matter to law enforcement if the violation involves illegal activity.
The student who possesses a cellular phone or ECD is responsible for its care. The School District and/or School Board are not responsible for preventing theft, loss, damage, or vandalism to cellular phones or ECDs brought onto its property.
IV. Consequences for unauthorized cellular phone/ECD use:
- At the time a disciplinary action has been taken by school administration, the student will be expected to leave their electronic device in the main office for the remainder of the school day. If students fail to turnover their electronic devices, the student will be sent home for the remainder of the school day and a parent conference will be scheduled upon their return.
- Warning and/or redirect by teacher/staff with reinforcement of the expectation of electronic devices.
- Repeated offenses may result in teacher detention, phone calls home, and/or a referral for insubordination and/or disruption of education resulting in disciplinary action.
Electronic Device Infraction Consequence (Cumulative)
Preset
- Begin class by asking students to put away devices
First offense:
- Student will turn electronic device over to staff member for the remainder of the period
Second offense:
- Student will be sent to main office where electronic device will be confiscated for the remainder of the school day
- Phone call will be made home
- Student will retrieve the device at the end of the school day
Third offense:
- Student will be sent to main office where electronic device will be confiscated
- Phone call will be made home
- Student will serve detention
- Guardian will retrieve the device at the end of the school day
- Meeting with student, guardian and administration will be held
Refusal:
- Student is insubordinate and will face disciplinary consequences per the Code of Conduct