District 186 Families,
To better prepare and focus our students, and to ensure the safety and emotional well-being of both students and staff, District 186 has proudly made the decision to operate under a "restrictive cell phone policy."
We kindly request your support as parents and guardians in reviewing the cell phone policy with your students. Together, we can ensure a learning environment with minimal distractions.
The goal is to limit the distractions and disruptions that cell phones can cause while at school and allow students to focus on their school work.
Expectations: Please take a look at the overview of the policy for each grade level band : Elementary, Middle School and High School below. (Click Here To Review The Overview Policy Flyers)
An updated Student & Family Handbook will be live on the website on the evening of August 19, 2024 and families will receive an email with that link on the evening of August 20, 2024.
Elementary School
During school hours, all cell phones and personal electronic devices including airpods will be turned off and stored in their book bag. Smart watches may be worn, but must follow the policy and not be used as a cell phone (calling, texting etc.) during school hours. Use of cell phones and smart watches are a privilege not a right and will be confiscated if students are not following the policy. Parents will have to pick up confiscated technology based on the steps of the policy and before the office closes for the day.
Middle School
During school hours, all cell phones and personal electronic devices including airpods will be turned off and stored in lockers. Smart watches may be worn, but must follow the policy, which states that they may not be used as a cell phone (calling, texting etc.) during school hours. Use of cell phones and smart watches are a privilege not a right and will be confiscated if students are not following the policy. Parents will have to pick up confiscated technology based on the steps of the policy and before the office closes for the day.
High School
During school hours, all cell phones and personal electronic devices will be turned off and stored in lockers, pockets, binders or personal bags or kept out of sight. Use of cell phones and electronic devices in the hallways and classrooms is strictly prohibited. Students will be allowed to appropriately use their device during their lunch period once they have reached their designated lunch zone. Smart watches may be worn, but must follow the policy, which states that they may not be used as a cell phone (calling, texting etc.) during school hours. Use of cell phones and smart watches are a privilege not a right and will be confiscated if students are not following the policy. Parents will have to pick up confiscated technology based the policy and before the office closes for the day.
All Grade Levels:
Accommodations will be provided for students who require a personal electronic device in accordance with an approved medical assistance plan, as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or as a part of a 504 Plan.
Administrative Consequences: Each instance is a referral
1st - Take phone for the day & send to the office, admins call the parent / guardian
2nd - Take phone for the day, Parents/Guardians will be required to pick up the phone before the office closes and take the phone with them. The time should be communicated to the parent for when the office closes. (If the phone is not picked up, it remains in the office until it is picked up).
3rd - Restorative conversations and classroom detentions and/or administrative detentions will be issued.
4th - Other disciplinary consequences will be issued for repeat offenders and repeat offenders can be required to bring the phone to the academic office with the appropriate grade level administrator each day if parents/legal guardians require their child to have a phone before or after school for safety.
Schools will enforce the electronic device policy per the District’s established guidelines as long as the consequence associated with the violation of this policy does not also involve more serious disciplinary infractions than established by this handbook. Any threat to harm students, staff or the school or any other unlawful post will be referred to law enforcement immediately and a risk assessment either at the school or community level will be conducted
The school and school district are not responsible for the loss, theft or damage to any electronic device brought to school.