Cell Phone Policy
TELEPHONE AND OTHER UNAPPROVED ELECTRONIC DEVICES
A telephone for student use is located at the reception desk in the main office. Students will use this phone only with staff permission. When a call is received for a student, a message will be taken. Students will be called out of a class only if an emergency exists. The telephone will not be used to set personal appointments, place lunch orders, order flowers, etc.
The use of cell phones, pagers, and unapproved electronic devices during regular school hours (7:45a.m.-3:30 p.m.) is not permitted. Students should keep these items in their car or in a locked locker. Having a cell phone in your possession is not acceptable and will result in a policy violation. The use of a cell phone, pager, or other unapproved electronic devices may include, but is not limited to the following: making a call, answering a call, checking messages, text messaging, checking for a signal, the use of a picture phone and having the phone/pager ring/vibrate during regular school hours. If a cell phone, pager, or other unapproved electronic device is seen in the possession of a student, it will be assumed that the student was planning to use the device. Carrying the cell phone, pager, or unapproved electronic device in a purse, book, bag, jacket, or pocket is not acceptable. No student shall have in his or her possession a cell phone, pager, or other unapproved electronic device between the hours of 7:45a.m. and 3:30p.m. When a violation occurs, the district will use the following procedure:
• 1st Offense: The electronic device shall be confiscated by the staff member and given to local administration. The building principal and the student will meet, review the policy, and both will sign the agreement as referenced in this handbook. The cell phone, pager, or electronic device shall be returned to the student at the end of the day.
• 2nd Offense: The electronic device shall be confiscated by the staff and given to local administration. The cell phone, pager, or other electronic device shall remain in the custody of the school district for a period not to exceed one week. The cell phone, pager, or other electronic device may be returned prior to one week if the student’s parent/guardian makes arrangements to meet with the building principal where the situation can be further discussed, including the consequences for future violation.
• 3rd Offense: The electronic device shall be confiscated by the staff member and given to local administration. At that time, the building principal shall contact the student’s parents regarding the third violation of such policy, further explain the situation, and a one-day “In-School Suspension” shall be assigned to the student. The cell phone, pager, or electronic device shall remain in the possession of the school district for a period not to exceed three weeks.
• 4th Offense: The electronic device shall be confiscated by the staff member and given to local administration. At that time, the building principal shall contact the student’s parents regarding the fourth violation of such policy, further explain the situation, and a one-day “Out-Of-School Suspension” shall be assigned to the student. The suspension shall be assigned for the next school day. The cell phone, pager, or electronic device shall remain in the possession of the school district for a period not to exceed four weeks.
This policy is designed to protect the privacy and integrity of the student body and the school district.
3rd Offense: The cell phone will be confiscated by staff, given to local administration and the parents shall be notified. Local administration will contact the parents regarding the third violation of the district cell phone policy, and a one-day “In-School Suspension” shall be given to the student. The students cell phone shall remain in the possession of the school district for three weeks.
4th Offense: The cell phone will be confiscated by staff, given to local administration, and the parents shall be notified. Local administration will inform the parents regarding the fourth violation of the district cell phone policy as well as inform the parents of the following:
- The student will be sent home from school for the remainder of that school day and,
- The student will remain at home the following school day and will serve a one-day “Out-of-School Suspension.” The student will be ruled ineligible for any extra-curricular activities that are scheduled for either day of the suspension.
NOTE: If at any time an illegal action occurs regarding the use of a cell phone, the matter will be immediately referred to county law enforcement.
