Student possession of telephone paging devices (e.g., beepers or pagers) is prohibited on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, and on school buses or other vehicles provided by the District. Student possession of cellular telephones, including camera phones, or other electronic communication devices (ECDs) (e.g., laser pointers and attachments, paging devices/beepers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other devices designed to receive and send an electronic signal) is a privilege, which may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of this administrative guideline, or otherwise engages in misuse of this privilege.

Students are prohibited from using cellular telephones or ECDs or having them "on" during the school day – 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. This includes lunch periods and passing periods, as well as on school-sponsored trips and "behind-the-wheel" driver education classes or in school vehicles. "Using" refers to, not only the making and/or receiving of calls, but also using the cellular telephone or ECD for any other purpose (i.e., sending text messages, taking pictures, making recordings, etc.). Students also may not use cellular telephones or ECDs on school property or at a school-sponsored activity to access and/or view Internet web sites that are otherwise blocked to students at school.

Students are not permitted to wear their cellular telephones or ECD clipped to a belt or otherwise display them in plain sight during the school day. Students may, however, carry cellular telephones or ECDs in a backpack, purse, or inside a pocket of slacks, jeans, jacket, etc. provided they are "off" and not just in vibrate or silent mode.

Cellular telephones or ECDs may not be "on" or otherwise used in classrooms, locker rooms, bathrooms, swimming pool, whether here or at another school district where a school activity or athletic event is occurring. This includes the use of the camera feature available with some models of cellular telephones.

Students participating in extra-curricular activities and athletics must contact their coach or sponsor for his/her rules involving cellular telephone or ECD use after school hours or on after-school bus trips. Coaches and sponsors will set their rules and enforce consequences involving the use and/or misuse of these devices.

A student may possess and keep a cellular telephone or ECD "on" under the following circumstances with prior approval of the building principal:

The Board of Education is not responsible for the loss, theft, damage, or vandalism to student cellular telephones or ECDs as well as other student property. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to take appropriate precaution, if students have cellular telephones or ECDs in their possession, to make sure the cellular telephones and ECDs are not left unattended or unsecured.

Using a cellular telephone or other ECD in an unauthorized manner or in violation of the policy, may result in loss of this privilege, additional disciplinary action (e.g., warnings, parental notification and conferences, suspension, expulsion), confiscation of the cellular telephone or ECD (in which case, the cellular telephone or ECD will only be released/returned to the student’s parent/guardian after the student complies with any other disciplinary consequence that is imposed), and/or referral to law enforcement if the violation involves an illegal activity (e.g., child pornography).

Parents/guardians are advised that the best way to get in touch with their child during the school day is by calling the school office.

Students may use school phones to contact parents/guardians during the school day.

Revised 12/27/05