Response to Cell Phone Issue/Concern

Approved by SDMC March 14, 2005

State Law

State law allows students to have cell phones on campus, but schools may regulate their use.

Woodside High School Policy

Woodside High School policy allows students to have cell phones, but they are not to be visible during regular school hours (including brunch and lunch).  Regular school hours are from 7:00am-3:10pm.  Students dismissed before 3:10 must use their phones away from the campus.

Students may use their phones on campus after regular school hours (see above).

Phones are to be turned off during the regular school day (including brunch and lunch).

Rationale

Phones have camera capabilities that may be used for cheating and other mischief.

Students use phones to text message and play games during class.

Brunch is meant for nutrition and meeting with teachers.

Students on phones during brunch and lunch are not as capable of responding to admin. /staff direction.

Emergency Procedures

Parents who need to contact students in an emergency are directed to phone the front office extension 4325 or 4305. 

Students who need to make an emergency call during school hours must contact the administration

Students are directed not to use cell phones during an emergency evacuation as it may interfere with the safety and efficiency of the procedure.

Consequences/Other Actions

Students breaking the rules will have the phone confiscated and parents will be asked come retrieve the phone from the appropriate AVP.

Multiple violations will be noted in a students discipline file and could influence decisions about other discipline issues.

The administration will revise the student handbook and other materials to reflect current policies regarding cell phones.  The policy will be communicated via The Communicat, principals advisory, and various other means.