Cell Phone Policy

Everyone seems to have a cell phone or similar device these days. Changes in cost, availability, and lifestyle have made these devices commonplace. However, according to the California State Education Code, Section 48901.5 (a) The governing board of each school district, or its designee, may regulate the possession or use of any electronic signaling device that operates through the transmission or receipt of radio waves, including, but not limited to, paging and signaling equipment, by pupils of the school district while the pupils are on campus, while attending school-sponsored activities, or while under the supervision and control of school district employees.

In other words, you may possess one of these electronic devices, but it must be silenced and kept out of sight during the school day unless specific permissions have been granted. Each student must have on file a signed Acceptable Use Policy Agreement, which signifies acknowledgement and acceptance of the following terms: Any object in a student's possession (including, but not limited to, cell phones, or other electronic devices) that distracts from, or causes a disruption to, the learning process, or the orderly operation of the school, will be confiscated by the staff and returned to the student at the end of the school day (safety and other concerns permitting). Repeat offenders will be required to have a parent pick up the device, after regular school hours. Additional or flagrant violations could result in more severe consequences, as specified in district policy and state law. Cell phones, in particular, are not to be used to place or receive messages at any time school is in session, or during any school activity, unless the student has received specific permission, in advance, from the school's staff. Permissible music must be appropriate for school setting: it may not advocate or promote hate, violence, discrimination, drugs, illegal activity, or inappropriate language. All devices covered under this policy must be kept out sight and turned off (not just set to silent or vibrate), while students are in school. If parents or guardians need to contact a student during school hours, they should call the school office and leave a message, inform the person answering the phone, and the staff will respond accordingly.   

• Cell phones and other devices are not to be used during class-time hours without teacher permission.
• If a student needs to use a phone in an emergency – they may request permission to come to the office to use it.
• First offense: the device will be confiscated for the remainder of the day.
• Second offense: parents will be asked to retrieve confiscated phones or other electronic devices from the principal after school
• Additional offense: parent-administration conference; student may not be allowed to have phone while on campus