Cell Phone Policy

Purpose

To establish the basic structure for the use of electronic devices owned by students in school.

Policy

This policy is intended to ensure that personal electronic devices on district and school property do not interfere with the learning, safety, and well-being of students and staff.

For the purposes of this policy, a personal electronic device is any device that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays any message or video image, or is otherwise capable of sending, receiving, emitting, photographing, recording, storing or displaying any type of audio or visual communication, files, or data. This includes, but is not limited to, cellular phones, smartphones, earphones, headphones, camera phones, camera devices, video and audio recording devices, digital recording devices, scanning devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), MP3 players, iPods, iPads, tablets, computers, radios, pagers, any device that allows the possessor to access the Internet, or any similar device or any accessories to such devices such as earphones and Bluetooth devices.

There is no reason that a student should need to use a cell phone during the regular school day. In any instance requiring an emergency communication with a student, our school will immediately assist the student, a parent, or other responsible adult with that situation by using a school telephone. All classrooms are equipped with a landline.

*This policy does not apply to school-issued PC/ laptop computers. The cell phone/electronic device policy can be read in its entirety on the FHS website. Following is a concise summary of the policy and how it applies to Ferndale High School students.

Students may possess or use personal electronic devices on school property, on school buses, or at school-sponsored events according to the following guidelines:

• Before school until the beginning of the school day (7:40 AM tardy tone).
• During a student’s lunch period.
• After school as signaled by the 2:45 tone ending seventh period class.

Personal electronic devices are not to be used in areas of the school campus that are designated as “Red Zones.” Red Zones include all buildings (classrooms, hallways, media center, administration building, gymnasiums, restrooms and locker rooms) except the cafeteria. Cell phones should be on silent or vibrate, or preferably turned off, whenever a student is in a Red Zone.

Personal electronic devices may be used in areas of the school campus that are designated as “Green Zones.” Before school and during student lunch periods the cafeteria is designated as a Green Zone, as well as all other areas of campus except inside the buildings other than the cafeteria. Other than “Green Zones” cell phones or electronic devices should not be seen or heard in RED Zones at any time during the school day.

Personal electronic devices may not be used to cause any disruption in the educational process or for unethical or illegal purposes. Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, cheating on assignments and/or tests, harassing or bullying others, and taking or distributing unauthorized photographs or recordings of other people. Personal electronic devices may not be used to access any obscene, threatening or otherwise inappropriate material via any form of electronic communication. LIvestreaming or social media posting during the school day is not allowed and automatically violates the electronic device policy. Personal electronic devices may not be used for any activity prohibited by the FHS Code of Conduct, to circumvent Ferndale Public School network security or for any unauthorized access to or inappropriate use of the FPS computer network. FHS will not be responsible, or liable for, the theft, loss, data loss, damage, destruction, misuse or vandalism of any student’s personal electronic device brought onto FHS property. However, school personnel will have the authority to make exceptions to allow students to use personal electronic devices for instructional purposes within the confines of a classroom.

If a student is found to be in violation of the Cell Phone Policy, the personal electronic device (cell phone, etc.) will be confiscated by school personnel. Refusal by a student to surrender the device is not an option. Cell phones, etc. confiscated as a result of a first violation may be returned to a parent before/after school or if time permits during the school day. It is advised that parents make arrangements with administrators to pick up their child’s electronic device. Personal electronic devices confiscated as a result of further violations (second infraction-loss of electronic privileges for 30 days) will not be returned until the end of the semester (third infraction), regardless of contracts, monthly payments, difficulty of circumstances, etc. This is according to Ferndale High School Policy. This is according to Ferndale Public School Policy.

STUDENT REFUSAL TO SURRENDER PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE PROCEDURE

Level 1: If a student is found to be in violation of the Cell Phone Policy, he/she will be asked by school personnel (administration) to surrender the device. If he/she does so, and it is the first offense, the student will lose privilege for one week.

Level 2: If it is the second offense, the the student will lose privilege for 30 days per FHS policy. If the student refuses to surrender the device immediately, a campus supervisor or an administrator will be called to assist, and the student will be taken to the office of an administrator. The administrator will attempt to convince the student to surrender the device. If the student does so, the device will be returned to a parent or guardian only.

Level 3: If it is the third offense, the student will lose privilege for the remainder of the semester or 60 days minimum if offense occurs less than 60 days before semester ends. If the student refuses to surrender the device to the administrator, an attempt will be made to contact a parent to obtain assistance in convincing the student to surrender the device. If the student does so, the device will be returned to a parent or guardian only.

Level 4a: If the student still refuses to surrender the device after parent intervention, he/she will be subject to further discipline up to and including loss of extracurricular activities (sports, prom, homecoming, etc...) and suspension.

Level 4b: If the administrator is unable to contact a parent, the student will be suspended from school (OSS) pending a meeting with an administrator.

***Any student that turns in a broken or fake phone will automatically lose electronic device privileges for the remainder of the school year.