Cell Phone Free Learning Environment

The policy includes all personal electronic devices, such as:

• Cell phones
• Smartwatches
• Tablets
• Wireless earbuds
• Gaming devices
• Other wearable technology

The policy will be fully implemented starting January 1, 2025.

Students with specific medical or educational needs, as outlined in their IEP, 504 Plan, or Medical Plan, may be allowed to use their devices under certain circumstances.

Yes, students can use cell phones on school buses as long as they are not causing any safety or behavior issues.

Use of electronic devices on field trips will be at the discretion of administrators and supervising adults.

The district will implement a clear disciplinary process for students who violate the policy. Specific details regarding disciplinary actions are communicated in Board Policy JICJ Prohibition of Personal Electronic Devices During the School Day.

Parents and/or guardians who need to contact their student during the school day and or change the pick-up time of your child, may do so by calling the main office of the school.

If a student requires a cell phone for medical reasons, this exception must be explicitly stated in their IEP, 504 plan, or medical plan. Phone use will only be permitted for the specific medical need and not for any other purposes.

Yes, the policy applies to all students. However, specific accommodations related to personal electronic devices can be addressed within a student's IEP or 504 plan if medically or educationally necessary.

Students will receive instructions from school staff, and parents will be notified through established communication channels if there is an emergency situation at the school. 

School security experts say phones can make children less safe in crisis situations for the following reasons:

• Student use of cell phones during an unfolding emergency can distract their attention from safety and emergency response directions being given by school staff.
• Cell phone use by students can hamper rumor control and, in doing so, disrupt and delay effective public safety personnel response.
• Cell phone use by students can impede public safety response by accelerating parental and community arrival at the scene of an emergency during times when officials may be attempting to evacuate students to another site.
• Victims and worried family members trying to get through can jam communications, interfering with first responders.

Our goal is to keep students focused on the adult getting them to safety before they access their phones.

Parents can help by:

• Discussing the policy with their children and explaining the reasons behind it.
• Encouraging their children to follow the policy.
• Communicating with school officials if they have any questions or concerns.