Student Cell Phone Policy

Shelby County Board of Education

6207.2 CELL PHONES / PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES

The increase in use of cell phones and personal communication devices by students during the school day has become far more than a distraction in the school environment. These devices are being used by students as a means of cheating on tests, taking inappropriate pictures and video of students and staff for sharing and posting across the internet, threatening and/or bullying other students, and engaging in an excessive amount of social interaction during instructional time.

Therefore, all students are banned from possessing any type of phone or personal communication device at any time during the regular school day. For the purpose of this policy, possession means being found in any article of clothing, purse, book bag, carry bag, or in any location on school property other than the approved storage location as written and approved by school officials. Students who wish to carry a cell phone with them to and from school must keep the device turned off and kept in the student’s assigned locker, automobile, or other school approved location at all times during the entire school day. For the purposes of this policy the school day includes the entire day from the school start time or bell that indicates the start of the school day until the final dismissal time of the school day. The school is not responsible for any loss or theft of the device while on school property.

A student found in possession of any type of cell phone or communication device during the school day shall have the device taken from him or her and kept by the school Principal or designee until the parent is notified and the device is personally picked up at the school by the parent. The parent may pick up the device on the following Monday after the device is taken from the student. The school will notify the parent regarding the specific time and location for pick up. If the device is not picked up during the designated time on Monday, it cannot be picked up until the designated time on the following Monday.

Any subsequent violation shall result in the device being taken from the student and retained until the parent personally picks the device up from the Principal or his/her designee on the following Monday and the student shall be given an out-of-school suspension of two (2) days.

A third violation of this policy shall be considered willful disobedience and defiance and the student shall receive a five (5) day out of school suspension.

Further violations will result in a long-term suspension.

Adopted 07/31/08