5136 - WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES (WCDs)
Students are prohibited from using a wireless communications device ("WCD") on school grounds during instructional time. A WCD is an electronic device capable of, but not limited to, text messaging, voice communication, entertainment, navigation, accessing the internet, sending and receiving photos and videos, or producing email. A WCD does not include a basic telephone, which is a device primarily used for voice calling that cannot support third-party applications, except those preinstalled, and does not support access to internet platforms via applications or web browsers.
For purposes of this policy, school grounds means a building, playing field, or property used for school purposes to impart instruction to children or used for functions and events sponsored by a school. School grounds does not include a building used primarily for adult education or college extension courses.
The prohibition on WCD use does not apply to the following:
- Medically necessary devices.
- District-owned devices including, but not limited to, school-issued tablets and laptops.
- Devices designated by the District to be used for instructional purposes.
- Devices used for special education programming or devices provided as an accommodation to students as required under Section 504 of Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794, or as part of an individualized education plan under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 12131 to 12165.
- Lesson-specific academic assignments, at the limited and direct discretion of a classroom teacher.
- Emergency situations. Use of a WCD under this exemption must not interfere with school emergency protocols or the actions of first responders, and must not endanger students or faculty. A protocol for when and how pupils are permitted to use wireless communications devices during an emergency is included in the District's Emergency Operations Plan (Policy 8402).
Students who violate this policy by using a WCD on school grounds during instructional time will be subject to discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
The use of PCDs that contain built-in cameras (i.e., devices that take still or motion pictures, whether in a digital or other format) is prohibited in classrooms, gymnasiums, locker rooms, shower facilities, rest/bathrooms and/or swimming pool.
Students shall have no expectation of confidentiality with respect to their use of WCDs on school premises/property.
Students may not use a WCD in any way that might reasonably create in the mind of another person an impression of being threatened, humiliated, harassed, embarrassed, or intimidated. See Policy 5517.01 – Bullying and Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior. In particular, students are prohibited from using WCDs to: (1) transmit material that is threatening, obscene, disruptive, or sexually explicit or that can be construed as harassment or disparagement of others based upon their race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, ancestry, or political beliefs; and (2) engage in "sexting" - i.e., sending, receiving, sharing, viewing, or possessing pictures, text messages, e-mails or other materials of a sexual nature in electronic or any other form. Violation of these prohibitions shall result in disciplinary action. Furthermore, such actions will be reported to local law enforcement and child services as required by law.
Students are also prohibited from using a WCD to capture, record, and/or transmit test information or any other information in a manner constituting fraud, theft, cheating, or academic dishonesty. Likewise, students are prohibited from using WCDs to receive such information.
The Tekonsha Student Handbook states that phones are not allowed for any reason in the elementary, but may be used during before school, lunchtime, and afterschool only in the HS/MS building. It also includes the following consequences for failure to comply with the policy.
Consequences
If a student fails to comply with the above expectations, the following consequences will occur:
- 1st Offense - Phone is confiscated and kept in the office until the end of the student’s school day at Tekonsha.
- 2nd and 3rd Offense - Phone is confiscated and kept in the office until the end of the student’s school day at Tekonsha. Phone must be turned into the office at the beginning of the next school day and remain there for the entire day.
- Repeat offenses beyond the 3rd offense could result in permanent loss of ability to have cell phone at school as well as other disciplinary action.
Refusal to comply with the above steps will result in further disciplinary action including total loss of cell phone privileges, detention, and suspension.