School District 197 Elementary Personal Electronic Device Procedures for Students*

All personal electronic devices must be “away for the day.”

Overview

When electronic devices are required for student learning at school, devices will be provided by the school.  Personal electronic devices are not a necessary part of a student’s education.  Further, personal electronic devices can be a distraction in the learning environment.  Students who bring such devices to school do so at their own risk.  School District 197 is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.

In cases of emergencies, we ask that families contact the main office to communicate messages from home.

Expectations Related to Personal Electronic Devices:

1. All electronic devices brought to school are to be silenced and kept in a student’s backpack or locker or given to a teacher to store during the school day.
2. Making phone calls, receiving phone calls, sending text messages, or reading text messages during the school day is prohibited.
3. Taking pictures, audio recordings, or video recordings (including “streaming”) of others without permission in any school setting, including the bus, is prohibited.
4. Students are prohibited from using cell phones or electronic devices to engage in conduct prohibited by school district policies.

Personal Electronic Devices Include But Are Not Limited to:

• Cell phones
• AirPods
• Any wearable electronic devices
• Gaming devices

An Exception:

• Smartwatches (expectations 2-4 above apply to these devices)
  • Parents and guardians should set the device to do not disturb during school hours.  For example, see Apple’s Schooltime setting (https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/get-started-with-schooltime-apd160a958b7/watchos)

Consequences For Not Following the Guidelines:

These are guidelines.  Based on the unique circumstances of a given situation, administration may apply different consequences.

• 1st time and 2nd time: 
  • Held by staff for the remainder of the day.  
  • Returned to the student at the end of the day.  
  • Communication to the family that the guidelines were not followed.
• 3rd time time: 
  • Held by staff for the remainder of the day.  
  • Communication to the family that the guidelines were not followed.
  • Parents or guardians must pick up the device at school.
• 4th time: 
  • Held by staff for the remainder of the day.  
  • Communication to family that the guidelines were not followed.
  • Meeting with the parent or guardian, student, and principal.  The device returned at that time.

* School Age Care is outside the regular school day and has their own procedures.