Possession/Use of Personal Electronic Communication Devices in School
(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

 

Code of Conduct Consequences for Middle and High School Students

 

If a student violates the preceding rules during the school day, the student will be subject to progressive consequences in the student code of conduct, which include:

 

·       First offense - confiscation of personal electronic device and a warning

·       Second offense - confiscation of personal electronic device and 2 days of detention hall

·       Third offense – confiscation of personal electronic device and 1 day of in-school suspension

·       Fourth offense – one day out-of-school suspension

·       Fifth or greater offense – cumulative additional days out-of-school suspension for each offense

 

The full District 7 policy is available at spartanburg7.org/CellPhonePolicy.