Cell Phone Policy

Personal Electronic Device (PED)/Phone Policy

CCSD Schools are Personal Electronic Device (PED)/ phone-free environments. Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) include cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, gaming devices, and accessories like earbuds and headphones. 

All student Personal Electronic Devices must be powered OFF and kept in a backpack or bookbag during the school day. The “school day” is defined as when students are on school premises from arrival until dismissal, including field trips, unless otherwise directed by the administration.

 

Charleston County Policy:

Policy JICJ Student Possession/Use of Mobile Communication, Computer, and Other Wireless Devices Issued 8/19 Purpose:

 

To combine policy JICJA (Electronic Devices Other than Cellular Phones) and policy JICJ (Possession/Use of Paging Devices/Cellular Phones and other Communications Devices). To set the parameters for student possession and use of mobile communication, computer, and other wireless devices. The board recognizes that, depending on how they are used, mobile communication, computer, and other wireless devices can be either valuable learning tools or a source of disruption in the learning environment. In order to maintain a secure and orderly learning environment, student use and possession of mobile communication, computer, and other wireless devices shall be subject to the limitations as set forth in this policy. “Wireless electronic device” means a handheld electronic device having the ability to receive and/or transmit voice, text, or data messages without a cable connection and may include, but is not limited to, mobile telephones, smart phones, smart watches, tablets, and computer and communications devices currently in existence. This also includes any current or emerging wireless technologies or portable information technology systems developed for similar purposes. This policy applies to all CCSD property, school grounds, school buildings, personal vehicles on school property, buses, CCSD vehicles at any time (during or outside of school hours), or at any school or district-sponsored events. The “instructional school day” is from the arrival bell until the final dismissal bell. The instructional school day includes, but is not limited to, study halls, lunch break, class changes, and any other structured or unstructured activities. Students may possess mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such devices as described above as long as the students adhere to the restrictions provided herein. Any unauthorized use of mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such wireless devices during the instructional school day is prohibited as it can disrupt the instructional program and/or distract from the educational environment. Earbuds and/or headphones may be worn in the classroom for instructional purposes. Earbuds/Headphones may not be worn at any other time during the instructional school day. Elementary school students (pre-K through fifth grade) may possess mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such devices as described above provided such devices are not visible, used, or activated and are kept in the “off” position throughout the instructional school day. Students must keep such devices stored in a purse, locker, backpack, or other non-visible secure location during the instructional school day. Times of authorized use for elementary school are as follows: before the beginning of the instructional school day after the dismissal bell at the end of the instructional school day during classroom instruction when directed by the teacher Middle school students (sixth through eighth grade) may possess mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such devices as described above on school property and school-sponsored transportation provided they are not visible, used, or activated and are kept in a silent or “airplane” mode, blocking all alerts throughout the instructional school day and while on school-sponsored transportation. Middle school students must keep their mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such devices as described above stored in a vehicle, locker, pocket, purse, backpack, or other non-visible secure location. Times of authorized use for middle school are as follows: before the beginning of the instructional school day after the dismissal bell at the end of the instructional school day during classroom instruction when directed by the teacher during lunch while in the cafeteria High school students (ninth through 12th grades) may possess mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such devices as described above on school property and school-sponsored transportation provided such devices are not visible, used, or activated and are kept in a silent or “airplane” mode, blocking all alerts throughout the instructional school day and while on school-sponsored transportation. High school students must keep their mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such devices as described above stored in a vehicle, locker, pocket, purse, backpack, or other non-visible secure location. High school principals may modify the instructional school day to establish other authorized times of use. Times of authorized use for high school are as follows: JICJ JICJ 1 of 3 before the beginning of the instructional school day after the dismissal bell at the end of the instructional school day during classroom instruction when directed by the teacher during lunch while in the cafeteria other times authorized by the principal* *Communication to students and parents/legal guardians: If the principal modifies the instructional school day to permit high school students to use mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such devices as described above at times other than the authorized times, the principal shall include such information in the school’s student/parent handbook and other communications to parents/legal guardians/students. School Leadership Teams in conjunction with their School Improvement Council may modify cell phone use to meet the needs of their school. Any plan created by the school team should be communicated to parents/legal guardians on the school website and a copy shared with the school’s supervisor. Any student who violates this policy is subject to the interventions/consequences of the Charleston County Progressive Discipline Plan. Students will be disciplined for their conduct rather than solely for the use of a device. Conduct infractions will follow the guidelines set forth in CCSD Student Code of Conduct. A student’s possession, display, or use of a mobile telephone, smart phone, or other such device as described above on school property contrary to the provisions of this policy shall be viewed as the unauthorized use of such devices when such possession, display, or use of such devices results in conduct that includes, but is not limited to: use that violates academic integrity, such as the reproduction of images of tests or the communication of test or examination contents or answers, to provide access to unauthorized school information, or to provide assistance to students in any aspect of their instructional program in a manner that violates school board policy or the Student Code of Conduct. the communication of the marks or grades assigned to students resulting from evaluation or the actual contents, or parts thereof, of any evaluation activity being completed by an individual(s) use to commit a crime under federal or state law violation of a student’s or other person’s reasonable expectation of privacy by using such devices with image and/or sound recording capabilities in student locker rooms, restrooms or any other student changing areas, or in the classroom, whether such use occurs during the instructional school day or on school property use of mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such devices as described above to take photographs or videos while on school property, while on school-sponsored transportation, or while a student is engaged in school-sponsored activities, except for classroom purposes as directed by the teacher use in a manner that is profane, indecent, obscene, threatening, discriminatory, bullying, or harassing through language, pictures, or gestures Other Acceptable Uses Use of mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such devices as described above are permissible in the following circumstances: Instructional or educational purposes Mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such devices as described above may be used during a class period or school activity when specifically approved by the principal or teacher in conjunction with educationally appropriate objectives. IEP, 504, or healthcare/medical plan Students may use mobile telephones, smart phones or other such devices as described above during class time when authorized pursuant to an individualized education program (IEP), a Section 504 accommodation plan, or a healthcare/medical plan with supportive documentation from the student’s physician. Health, safety, or emergency reasons Principals may make exceptions to the restrictions in this policy, in part or in its entirety, for health, safety, or emergency reasons. School trips or school-sponsored activities The use, display, or activation of mobile telephones, smart phones, or other such devices as described above during school trips or school sponsored activities shall be at the discretion of the principal or designee, but shall not be disruptive to the activity. JICJ JICJ 2 of 3 Other reasons Other reasons may be determined appropriate by the principal. Responsibility/Liability Any student who chooses to bring to school a mobile telephone, smart phone, or other such device as described above shall do so at his or her own risk and shall be personally responsible for the security of his or her device. Neither the school personnel nor the board will assume any responsibility or liability for loss, theft, damage, or vandalism to a mobile telephone, smart phone, or other such devices as described above brought onto school property or for the unauthorized use of any such device. Cf. JICDA Adopted 1/23/06; Revised 6/27/16, 8/26/19 Legal References: S.C. Code of Laws, 1976, as amended: Section 59-63-280 - Requires board to adopt a policy on student use of electronic devices.