Cell Phone Policy

Our goal is to create distraction-free, learning-centered classrooms where teachers and students can actively listen, interact with one another, ask questions, engage in discussions, and be fully involved in the learning process. Eliminating phones allows students to dedicate their full attention to each learning task. Reducing phone use also leads to a more positive, calm, and compassionate climate at school.

Each classroom has a landline phone with the ability to dial 911 or to reach the front office, administration, and security personnel inside the school. Each classroom also has a single button that can be pushed to reach the front office without dialing. Additionally, we routinely practice emergency response procedures. In the event we do have an emergency, a written update will be sent to parents through Blackboard as soon as possible.

Parents and guardians can dial 907-742-6360 to reach the front office. A message will be sent to the student’s classroom in a timely manner. Students will also have routine access to Chromebooks and parents can message their students in that manner as well. 

Students will have access to their cell phones for the duration of the lunch period. We understand many students leave campus for lunch and having their phone is helpful should an emergency arise.

Students who have a documented medical condition in Q and who need their personal device will be accommodated. Staff will review students’ Q profiles for medical alerts and make arrangements with students on an individual basis.

To ensure academic honesty, teachers may request that students remove their smartwatches and store them with their phones when taking exams, end-of-unit assessments or completing other in-class work. 

Cell Phones/Electronic Communication Devices (Technology Violation)

Conditions of Use:

Students may possess and use portable electronic devices including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, music players, tablets, laptops, etc., subject to limitations of this and other policies of the district.

The principal may establish, and school personnel may enforce, additional guidelines limiting or prohibiting the possession and use of portable electronic devices as appropriate to campus needs. No student may use a cellular phone or portable electronic device in a manner, or at a time, that interferes with or is disruptive to another student’s instructional time.

In many instances, there is educational value in utilizing portable electronic devices in the classroom when such devices deliver content, and extend, enhance, and/or reinforce a student’s learning process related to the student’s learning style, the instructional objectives of the class and/or the learning environment. The appropriateness of in-class use of these devices consistent with the instructional objectives within instructional time will be determined by the classroom teacher with the approval by the building administrator. Please see the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Guidelines in Section I of the Student Handbook for more information regarding the use of electronic devices for academic purposes.

During school and school sponsored activities, students will comply with this policy and with administrative and staff member directives regarding use. Students are required to turn cell phones and other portable electronic devices over to school personnel when requested. Students who refuse to do so are subject to disciplinary action.

The district assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property of students, including cell phones and other portable electronic devices, whether in the possession of students or if confiscated by school personnel pursuant to this policy.

Prohibited Conduct:

Possession of a cellular telephone or other ECD by a student is a privilege which may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of this policy, or otherwise engages in misuse of the device to violate the law or any other school or District rule. In addition to those conduct rules set forth elsewhere, the following violations may result in disciplinary action:

1. Accessing and/or viewing an internet site that is otherwise blocked to students at school.

2. Sending an email, text message or other communication that harasses, intimidates, threatens, bullies, or discriminates against another individual.

3. Using a camera device at school or a school-sponsored event to take, send, download or upload a harassing, threatening, or embarrassing photograph of anyone.

4. Using a camera in a restroom, dressing room, or locker room.

5. Using a camera or other recording device to record or capture the content of tests, assessments, homework, or classwork without express prior permission from the instructor.

6. Using an ECD in a manner that could cause damage to an individual or the school community or create the danger of disruption of the academic environment.

The contents of a cellular phone, camera, or other ECD may be searched to determine ownership, to identify emergency contacts, or upon reasonable suspicion that a school or District rule or the law has been violated.

A cellular telephone or ECD that has been confiscated and not turned over to law enforcement will be released/returned to the parent/ guardian when no longer necessary for investigation or disciplinary proceedings. As appropriate, the cellular telephone or ECD may be returned directly to the student.

(Cell Phone/ECDs Section Revised 6/23/08, 5/2013, 6/2017)