Cell Phone Policies

Standard Operating Procedure for Cell Phone Use in High Schools

Last updated August 2, 2022

Overview

The following guidelines and procedures address concerns as identified by high school teachers, students and families about cell phone use in the classroom. Studies show that there has been a decrease in psychological well-being (mental health) and a decrease in academic outcomes as the result of cell phone use by students during instructional time. This Standard Operating Procedure (“SOP”) supports School Board policies JFC, Student Conduct, and IIBE, Acceptable Use of Technology.

Misuse of cell phones results in problems such as:

• increase in depression
• negative academic outcomes
• chronic distraction during instructional times including phones ringing or receiving alerts
• time allocated to behavior management instead of instruction
• a negative effect on interpersonal relationships
• an increase in student anxiety and aggression as observed by teachers
• students using phones to coordinate and participate in problematic behaviors on school grounds; e.g., fighting, drug use
• the documentation and publishing of student images and scenarios without permission on social media
• “sexting” and sharing illicit photos
• confidentiality and privacy concerns including honor code violations
• cheating
• bullying and cyberbullying

Purpose: to ensure a positive, productive and safe learning environment for all high school students and staff.

Guidelines for Students

1. Cell phone use is prohibited during instructional periods; cell phones must remain silenced and out of sight. School-provided technology will be used to support learning and accessibility needs.
2. All other communication devices (e.g., smart watches) shall be off or away during instruction.
3. Students may use cell phones before the start of the school day, between classes, during lunch, and after school.
4. Students may not use cell phones in the restrooms or in the locker rooms of the school.
5. Students may use cell phones for instruction when deemed necessary by a 504 plan or IEP team, for medical purposes, and for translation.
6. In the event of an emergency or other unforeseen circumstance, students should notify their teacher of the need to use their phone. With the approval of the teacher, the student will be permitted to go to use their cell phone. Office staff will provide a confidential space for students to use the phone as needed.

Disciplinary action:

1. Teachers will remind students to put away their cell phones at the start of the period, as needed.

2. The first offense will result in a verbal warning. The teacher/staff member will remind the student to silence the phone and put it away out of sight.
3. For the second offense, teachers will give a verbal warning to the student. Teachers will also notify a parent/guardian of the student's cell phone use and the verbal warning. Teachers will notify administrators by documenting the verbal warning in PowerSchool, using the “Staff Managed” notation.
4. If a student refuses to put away the cell phone when requested by a staff member, the student will be disciplined for insubordination.
5. If a student possesses or uses such a device other than as permitted in this standard operating procedure, in addition to other disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the device may be confiscated from the student and returned only to the student’s parent.
6. Leveled discipline will be applied by school administrators after the verbal warning to include parent/teacher/student conferences, referrals, cell phones being held in the main office, loss of phone privileges, or other leveled discipline in accordance with the ACPS Behavior Management Handbook, which aligns with the Model Guidance provided by VDOE.
7. After repeated offenses and in consultation with the student and family, administration may require a cell phone contract to include cell phone “check-ins” at the main office or other designated space.

Guidelines for Staff Members Working in High Schools

1. School-provided technology will be used to support learning and accessibility needs as well as student and family communication, as much as possible.
2. School administrators and staff will review this standard operating procedure at the start of the school year and in conjunction with the embedded digital citizenship curriculum.
3. Administrators, teachers, and other staff are professionals and should model appropriate use of technology, including cell phone use.