Electronic Devices and Technology Resources (All Grade Levels)

Possession and Use of Personal Telecommunications Devices, Including Cell Phones,
and Other Electronic Devices

The district permits students to possess personal cell phones for safety purposes; however, these devices must remain turned off during instructional time, including during all testing.

[See Textbooks, Electronic Textbooks, Technological Equipment, and Other Instructional Materials for graphing calculator applications on computing devices.]

A student must have the approval to possess other personal telecommunications devices on campus such as laptops, tablets, or other portable computers.
Without such permission, teachers will collect the items and turn them into the principal’s office. The principal will determine whether to return items to students at the end of the day or to contact parents to pick up the items. The use of cell phones or any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker rooms or restroom areas while at school or at a school-related or school-sponsored event.
If a student uses a telecommunications device without authorization during the school day, the device will be confiscated. The student or parent may pick up the confiscated telecommunications device from the principal’s office.

9th-12th Grade

● Students are permitted to use cell phones during breakfast, lunch, and hallway transitions.

K-12th Grade

Headphone/earbud use is allowed in the cafeteria for breakfast and lunch with only one ear covered for safety precautions. Headphones/earbuds are not permitted in the hallways at any
time.

Students are prohibited from using a cell phone or other electronic devices during instructional
time (between 8:20 am and 3:50 pm). The term “electronic device” includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, gaming devices, tablets, and computers. The student is required to forfeit the device upon request; failure to do so will result in placement in ISS or DAEP.

Disciplinary Actions for Electronic Device Violations are:

● 1st offense:
(Cell phone. Earbuds) A student may pick up in the office at the end of the day with a documented warning.

● 2nd and subsequent offenses:
(Cell phone/Earbuds) – picked up by a parent/student in the office at the end of the day with a documented referral.

● Persistent offenses may lead to further disciplinary placements.

Note: Students who refuse to forfeit their device will be automatically assigned ISS. Confiscated telecommunications devices that are not retrieved by the student or the student’s
parent will be disposed of after the notice required by law. [See policy FNCE for more information.]

In limited circumstances and in accordance with the law, a student’s personal telecommunications device may be searched by authorized personnel. [See Searches and policy FNF for more
information.]

Any disciplinary action will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. The district is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen telecommunications devices.

Instructional Use of Personal Telecommunications and Other Electronic Devices

Students must obtain prior approval to use personal telecommunications or other personal electronic devices for instructional purposes while on campus. Students must also sign a user agreement that contains applicable rules for use (separate from this handbook).

All personal devices must be turned off during the instructional day when not in use for approved instructional purposes. Violations of the user agreement may result in withdrawal of privileges and other disciplinary action.

Acceptable Use of District Technology Resources

District-owned technology resources may be issued to individual students for instructional purposes. Use of the district’s network systems and equipment is restricted to approved
purposes only. Students and parents will be asked to sign a user agreement regarding the use of these district resources. Violations of the user agreement may result in withdrawal of privileges and other disciplinary action.

Unacceptable and Inappropriate Use of Technology Resources

Students are prohibited from possessing, sending, forwarding, posting, accessing, or displaying electronic messages that are abusive, obscene, sexually-oriented, threatening, harassing,
damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal. This prohibition also applies to conduct off-school property, whether on district-owned or personally owned equipment, if it results in a substantial
disruption to the educational environment.

Any person taking, disseminating, transferring, possessing, or sharing obscene, sexually-oriented, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or other content—commonly referred to as
“sexting”—will be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, may be required to complete an educational program related to the dangers of this type of behavior, and, in certain circumstances, may be reported to law enforcement. This type of behavior may constitute bullying or harassment, as well as impede future endeavors of a student. We encourage parents to review with their child the "Before You Text"

Sexting Prevention Course (https://txssc.txstate.edu/tools/courses/before-you-text/), a state-developed program that addresses the consequences of sexting.
Any student who engages in conduct that results in a breach of the district’s computer security will be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. In some cases, the consequence may be expulsion.