Electronic Device Policies

Students will comply with electronic usage expectations in classrooms.  When a student is not compliance with the expectations, a staff member will provide them a “bag.”  The student is responsible for putting the electronic device into the bag.  The bag will remain on the student’s desk for the entire period.  If a student refuses to bag the electronic device, the Deans’ Office will be contacted to remove the student from the classroom. The teacher should log the incident under “deans”, so a referral can be generated.

Below is a progression of consequences for a student who does not follow the outlined cell phone policy. These are general guidelines, all infractions/offenses are subject to review by school administrators and may receive consequences not listed below, up to and including the confiscation of a student’s cellphone.

School issued devices must only be used for educational purposes.

• Argo Community High School encourages the responsible and appropriate use of technology including cell phones, iPods, iPads, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, etc. within the school setting.
• Students may use electronic equipment, including cell phones, at school until the beginning of first period, during passing periods, during lunch, and after last period unless directed otherwise by a staff member.
• Use of any electronic device, besides the device provided by Argo Community High School, is not allowed in the classroom unless authorized by an individual instructor (including cell phones and smartwatches). Use of such items are not to interfere with classroom instructional time. Individual teachers may provide guidelines for usage in classroom settings (Ringers must be set to “silent” or “vibrate”. Speaker mode cannot be used).  However, these devices must be turned off and put away prior to entering the classroom, Athletic/P.E., locker room or bathrooms.
• The following is a non-exhaustive list of rules regarding student use of electronic devices. Violation of these rules or this policy will result in school assigned discipline and may cause the items to be confiscated and delivered to an administrator to be returned at the discretion of the administrator.
• Unauthorized Electronic Devices and Cell phones, including headphones and ear- buds must be turned off and put away before entering ALL classrooms.
• Improper use of an electronic device such as a cell phone may result in confiscation by a school administrator or SRO (school resource officer).
• Devices can be used in common areas including the cafeteria and LRC.
• Students are NOT allowed to talk, take pictures, use social media or video chat on an electronic device during the school day.
• Students are not allowed to use phones (take pictures/videos, text, access social media, etc.) in bathrooms or locker rooms.
• Earbuds/Headphones are not permitted in classrooms unless authorized by instructor. All students must remove earbuds and headphones in common areas when requested by a staff member.
• Wireless speakers are prohibited.
• Students must comply with staff directives related to use of electronic devices, including but not limited to: ending conversations, reducing volume, and/or issues of appropriate usage/language.
• Devices must be off and out of sight in locker rooms, bathrooms, detention/in-school suspension areas, as well as during class periods
• Using a cell phone, video recording device, smartwatch or other electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others, including using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheat, or otherwise violate student conduct rules is prohibited. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, creating, sending, sharing, viewing, or receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction of oneself or another person through the use of a computer, electronic communication device, or cell phone.
• Any cell phone may be confiscated and/or searched upon reasonable suspicion of sexting and/or criminal activity. A student’s cell phone may be confiscated and searched upon reasonable suspicion that the search will produce evidence that a student has violated or is violating the law or the District’s student con- duct rules. All sexting violations will require school administrators to follow student discipline policies in addition to contacting the SRO (school resource officer), police and reporting suspected child abuse or neglect when appropriate.
• Students may not be in possession of electronic communication devices/cell phones while taking any test. Use during after school extra-curricular activities may be prohibited or restricted by the activity supervisor. Students are personally responsible for the security of their electronic communication devices.
• Students are prohibited from using personal cell phones or other electronic devices to record (video or audio) any school activity, event, or school-related work without the consent of the supervising teacher/sponsor/coach.
• Students are prohibited from posting or sharing pictures or video taken in school without the consent of the supervising teacher.
• Students are prohibited from using their personal devices to record altercations, etc.