LOWNDES COUNTY SCHOOLS BOARD POLICY
Title: Personal Electronic Device Use – Grades K–12
Purpose
To promote a focused and distraction-free learning environment, this policy outlines the access and use of personal electronic devices for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade while on school premises during school hours.
Policy Statement
Students in grades K–12 are not permitted to access or use personal electronic devices, while on school premises during school hours including but not limited to cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, e-readers, headphones, earbuds, and other devices with functionalities such as wireless communication, internet access, messaging, video recording, gaming, social media access, or data transmission during school hours. For K-8, this includes classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, restrooms, and playgrounds. For 9-12 this includes classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, restrooms, and outside areas, except that students are permitted to use cell phones during class transitions and lunch times. Any student found in violation of this policy and or its procedures during the school day shall be subject to progressive consequences as outlined in the Lowndes County Student Code of Conduct.
Definitions
Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs): Any privately owned device that can send, receive, store, or display digital data, images, video, or audio, including cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, e-readers, headphones, earbuds, and other devices with functionalities such as wireless communication, internet access, messaging, video recording, gaming, social media access, or data transmission.
School Hours for K-8: Bell to Bell. The period beginning with the first bell signaling the start of instructional time shall include all scheduled instructional time, breaks, transitions, assemblies, and other school-related activities occurring between the start and end of the school day. K-5 and 6-8 instructional hours as defined in the Student handbook each year.
School Hours for 9-12: For students in grades 9–12, instructional time begins with the bell that signals the start of each block and ends with the bell that signals dismissal. Students are permitted to use cell phones only during class transitions and lunch times. Instructional time includes all scheduled academic classes, assemblies, and other school-related instructional activities.
Access: Viewing, holding, wearing, or otherwise using a device for the purpose of communication, internet access, gaming, recording, listening to music, or any other function commonly associated with personal electronic devices.
Application
This policy applies to students in grades K-12 on school premises during school hours.
Lowndes County Schools is not responsible for the theft, loss, or damage to personal electronic devices brought onto its property, during field trips, or during extracurricular activities.
Guidelines
Storage of Devices:
K-5 students: should be locked in a school designated storage container.
6-8 students: must be turned off and stored and locked in the student’s school-issued locker.
9-12 students: must keep personal electronic devices off and out of sight during class. Teachers may elect to use calculator caddies or secure storage to collect personal electronic devices at the start of class and return them at the end.
Parental Contact: Parents needing to contact their child during the school day should call the front office of their child’s school.
Field Trips: Electronic devices may be used in accordance with the guidelines set up by the school and are subject to change.
School-Sponsored Transportation: Electronic devices may be used in accordance with appropriate use guidelines in the Student handbook.
Athletic and or Extracurricular Events: Electronic devices may be used in accordance with the guidelines set up by the school and are subject to change.
Progressive Discipline
First Offense: Warning, parent notification by the teacher, and device confiscated until the end of the instructional block
Second Offense: Susceptible to confiscation of device until the end of the instructional day, parent notification, and student must meet with an administrator or designee to get the device back.The student will be given in-house isolation
Third Offense: Susceptible to confiscation of device pending parent picking up of the device and signing the behavior contract. ISS for 2 days
For students K-5, punishment will be at the discretion of the administrator. The student’s age/level of maturity or development should be considered
Fourth Offense and beyond: Susceptible to confiscation, parent picking up phone, possibly assigned up to 10 days ISS, OSS, possible referral to LAS
For students K-5, punishment will be at the discretion of the administrator. The student’s age/level of maturity or development should be considered.
Serious Misuse: Any use of a cell phone that involves academic dishonesty, harassment, unauthorized recording, or a violation of school safety protocols will result in immediate disciplinary action, regardless of the number of prior offenses.
Exceptions
Students with documented medical needs or with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans that require access to their personal electronic devices are allowed to utilize the device as necessary to fulfill the requirements of their respective program or plan.