5136 - CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Van Buren Intermediate School District

Administrative Guidelines

5136 - CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Administrative guidelines regarding cell phones:

	A.	Students are prohibited from using cell phones or other electronic communication devices (ECD), electronic storage devices (ESD) or having them "On" during the school day. This includes lunch periods and passing periods, as well as on school-sponsored trips and "behind-the-wheel" driver education classes or in school vehicles. "Using" refers to, not only the making and/or receiving of calls, but also using the cell phone or ECD/ESD for any other purpose.
	B.	Students are not permitted to wear their cell phones or ECD/ESD clipped to a belt or otherwise display them in plain sight during the school day. Students may, however, carry cell phones or ECD/ESD in a backpack, purse, or inside a pocket of slacks, jeans, jacket, etc.
	C.	Cell phones or ECD/ESD may not be "On" or otherwise used in the school locker rooms, whether here or at another school district where a school activity or athletic event is occurring. This includes the use of the picture/camera feature available with some electronic devices.
	D.	The unauthorized use of cellular phones, ECD/ESD to communicate or access information during classes or testing is prohibited.
	E.	Students participating in extracurricular activities and athletics must contact their coach or sponsor for his/her rules involving cell phone or ECD/ESD use after school hours or on after-school bus trips. Coaches and sponsors will set their rules and enforce consequences involving the use and/or misuse of these devices.
	F.	The District is not responsible for the loss, theft, damage, or vandalism to student cell phones or ECD/ESD as well as other student property. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to ensure that, if students have cell phones or ECD/ESD in their possession, they should not leave them unattended or unsecured. They are a popular theft item.

This administrative guideline amends the rule regarding cell phones and other ECD/ESD found in the Student-Parent Handbook.

Using a cell phone or other ECD/ESD in an unauthorized manner or in violation of the policy, may result in disciplinary action, depending upon the nature of the prohibited activity and/or whether it is a repeat offense for that student. The administration reserves the right to modify the consequences, as appropriate.

Approved 12/03
Revised 10/31/07