Cell Phone Policy for BJHS
by Bethany Lindsay
September 15, 2008
The Board of Education of Brookwood School District 167 recently made changes to our cell phone policy. In the past, the possession of cell phones was prohibited. The new policy allows students to possess a cell phone, however, cell phones must be powered off and be out of view. Instructional time must always be protected. Students needing to use the phone during the day may use the office phone. Parents should call the school if they need to speak to their child.
The school board policy now states, "No student on or about school property or at any school activity will use any cellular communication device, pocket pager or similar electronic paging device during regular school hours or at any other time, unless the use of such device by the student has first been expressly permitted by the principal of his or her school or during an emergency situation occurring on the school property. Principals will grant such permission only for limited periods to individual students who demonstrate to the principal a legitimate, specific need for such device such as a family emergency or school‑related project. In granting such permission, a principal may impose conditions upon the use of the device as will limit the disruption caused by the use of the device. While students will be permitted to possess cellular communication devices while on school property and during the school day, each such device shall be deactivated (powered down) during the school day. Any device that is found to be activated (powered on) during the school day, other than for use as approved above, may result in disciplinary action and confiscation of the device. Furthermore, the school district is not responsible for the damage, loss, or theft of any electronic device brought to school."
If a student violates the policy, the cell phone will be taken temporarily and Brookwood Jr. High School administration will conference with the parent and student. The phone will be returned at the conference. Any student alleged to have violated this policy more than once will be subject to disciplinary action that may involve suspension or expulsion.
Any student who uses a cellular communication device, pocket pager and/or similar electronic paging device for the purposes of academic dishonesty, cheating, in the commission of violation of any school rules or laws, will be subject to suspension or expulsion. The device will be confiscated by a school official during the school day for a period of time to be determined by the building principal.
If a parent should have any questions involving our cell phone policy, he/she should contact the principal, Bethany Lindsay.
