Students are prohibited from utilizing cell phones and personal electronic devices while on the campus of a public school district from bell to bell. Exceptions may be made as follows:
1. Emergency use of cell phones or personal electronic devices by students during the school day. Emergency use includes situations where immediate communication is needed for safety or urgent personal matters. This includes, but is not limited to:
a. Medical Emergencies – Calling 911 or a parent if a student or someone nearby is having a severe health crisis (e.g., asthma attack, allergic reaction, seizure).; or
b. Natural Disasters or Lockdowns – Communicating with law enforcement or family during events like tornados, fires, lockdowns, or other emergencies affecting the school; or
2. Use of cell phones or personal electronic devices by students who use them to monitor health issues. This includes, but is not limited to, glucose monitoring which may occur multiple times during the school day; or
3. Students with special needs may use cell phones or personal electronic devices during class time or during the school day if their IEP, Medical Plan, or 504 Plan explicitly requires it as assistive technology for medically or educationally necessary purposes. To qualify for this exception, the use must be listed as a documented accommodation necessary for instruction or communication within the student's IEP, Medical Plan, or 504 Plan.
“Bell to bell” means the time between the first bell ringing at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bell at the end of the school day to end instructional time.
“Personal electronic device” means a personal device capable of connecting to a smart phone, the Internet, or a cellular or Wi-Fi network, or directly connecting to another similar device. Personal electronic devices include, but are not limited to, smart watches, smart headphones, laptops, tablets, and smart glasses. Personal electronic devices shall not include school-issued or school approved devices that are specifically limited for use in classroom instruction.