(Mobile Phones, Smartwatches, Headphones, etc.)

To comply with state proviso, all school districts are required to implement a policy adopted by the State Board of Education that prohibits students from accessing personal electronic communication devices during the school day.

From the time school begins (at the tardy bell) until dismissal at the end of the instructional day, all student personal electronic devices must be powered off and stored out of sight (in backpacks, pockets, etc.). Exceptions may be granted in the following cases:

• medical necessity

• IEP or 504 plan requirements

• students who are volunteer firefighters or members of emergency organizations

• accessing a suicide/crisis/mental health text line or hotline, or school safety tip line

• emergency situations that threaten the safety and/or well-being of an individual student, other students, or a school staff member or

• authorized classroom use approved by the Superintendent in writing

“Personal electronic communication devices” are defined as any unauthorized telecommunications devices used to access the Internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular telephone signals. They include but are not limited to:

• cell phones

• wearable technology, such as smartwatches that have the capability to interact with wireless technology

• AirPods/earbuds/headphones

• personal laptops or tablets

• mp3 players

• any other current and future similarly utilized device that emits an audible signal; vibrates; displays a message; records; and/or live streams

For more details and consequences for violation of this policy, please see your school's student handbook (located on each school's website). See the full District 7 Board Policy link below.