ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS APPROVED: AUGUST 20, 2024
STUDENT ELECTRONIC DEVICE RESTRICTIONS
The Laurel Highlands School District realizes that personal technology has become an embedded aspect of American culture. However, many disruptions to the typical school day occur due to student use and abuse of personal electronic devices. These disruptions are both material and substantial, frequently leading to a loss of instructional time for both individuals and groups.
The Laurel Highlands School District’s Student Code of Conduct addresses the usage of personal electronic devices. The use of such devices in school buildings, on school grounds during the school day, or on district transportation without a designated adult supervisor is prohibited.
“Use” shall be defined as the device being turned on or otherwise activated whether sending or receiving a call, message, or other communication, or using any feature of the device including but not limited to games, camera, and messaging.
“School day” shall for purposes of this administrative regulation include extended instructional time as determined by the principal.
“Designated Adult Supervisor” shall be defined as an adult school employee such as a teacher, police officer, approved adult chaperone, or coach who can monitor and intercede should a student use an electronic device for an inappropriate purpose. Please note that for safety reasons, a school bus or van driver is not considered to be a “designated adult supervisor” in this circumstance. The driver’s primary responsibility is - and must remain – the safe operation of the vehicle that transports students to and from school.
As such:
Students’ personal electronic devices (phones, watches, earbuds, etc.) must be turned off and not in sight while on campus and must be kept in lockers or other authorized areas as designated by the administration.
Students must turn off their electronic devices prior to their entry into the building and/or district transportation.
Electronic devices that are visible to faculty, staff, or administration will be confiscated and held by the administration in the main office.
First offense: Administrator verbal warning conference with the student, student's cell phone may be returned to the student at the end of the school day.
Second offense: A phone call will be made to the parent/guardian, a verbal warning will be issued, and the electronic device will be returned to the student at the end of the school day.
Chronic or flagrant offenses: After the second offense or in the event of a flagrant offense, a student who has shown either an inability or unwillingness to refrain from violating the electronic device policy may be required to turn that device into the school office at the start of the school day where it will be stored until the end of the day. At the discretion of the school administrations, this further restriction may be imposed for a limited amount of time or for the duration of the school year. In addition, the student may lose school privileges such as the ability to drive to school and attend school extracurricular functions such as dances and events.
Students who refuse to tender their electronic device when asked will be considered insubordinate, will be immediately escorted to the office, and may be subject to additional disciplinary action.
The administration may invoke the “Chronic or Flagrant Offenses” consequences at any time should they deem the circumstances necessary.
ELECTRONIC DEVICE PERMISSION
The use of smartphones, cell phones, and other such electronic devices during transportation to and from school remains prohibited during the regular school day; however, during non-educational times and at the discretion of the building principal (such as during sporting events, transportation on extracurricular outings, etc.) when there is a designated adult supervisor present, appropriate and reasonable use (listening to music, podcast, etc.) and/or appropriate communication with fellow students, families, and other peers, is permitted.
This does not include hallways or the cafeteria during the school day.
Communications that contain hurtful, hateful, or sexually suggestive language remain prohibited.
Communications that contain any suggestions of violence remain prohibited.
Any use of the camera feature on an electronic device that violates the district policy remains prohibited.
Parents and students are reminded that the intention of this policy is not to limit contact among families. Parents may call the school’s main office to have important messages forwarded to students. Students may also, with permission, utilize the office phones.
Message from Dr. Wallace attached below.
I may not have the right to say this but as a senior this year I feel as though I have some right to say this. Let's start with the limitation of personal electronic device usage now this won't specifically be about cellular devices but they are included in this you say this policy won't limit the contact between family members but this is exacly what this policy does you are removing the quickest and most direct line a family member has to their child, sibling or even a student with thier own kid if there are any students with that situation you also say that the devices won't be used in places like hallways or the cafeteria during school…