AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – After Governor Greg Abbott recently signed the bill banning cell phones in Texas schools, NewsChannel 10 is gathering the new or updated policies for area school districts.
Amarillo ISD
Amarillo ISD says their current cell phone policy meets the requirements.
Bushland ISD
Bushland ISD students must power-off all electronic communication devices upon entering their campus. These devices must be powered-off, stored away in student backpacks or bags, and remain out of sight and powered-off for the duration of the school day, this includes passing periods and lunch time. At the conclusion of the school day, students may resume use of their electronic communication devices.
Exceptions
- A student has an IEP, or 504 plan that requires device access
- A documented physician’s order
- A health or safety requirement imposed by regulation or law.
Violations
- First offense, the device will be confiscated, the student’s parent notified, and the student may retrieve the device at the end of the same school day.
- Second offense, the device will be confiscated, the student’s parent notified, and the student’s parent may pick up the device at the end of the same school day.
- Third and any subsequent offenses, the device will be confiscated, the student’s parent notified, and the student’s parent may pick up the device at the end of the same school day. Additional student consequences from the Student Code of Conduct will be applied to the student.
Dalhart ISD
- The use of cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, radio devices, paging devices, or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication are prohibited in school. Devices must be left at home or stored in secure storage on campus.
Student Options:
· A Student can leave devices at home. OR
· A Student can check devices in a designated area before the first bell rings 10 minutes before the first bell rings. Devices will be stored in a designated area till the end of the school day or until student leaves campus for the day (excluding lunch).
If you choose to bring your devices on campus with you, you will be required to do the following:
· Your devices must be powered off.
· Stored Cell Phones may NOT be removed from secure storage during the lunch period whether the student remains on campus or leaves campus for lunch.
2. TARDIES WILL NOT BE EXCUSED FOR TURNING IN DEVICES. You have the choice of leaving your device at home or bringing it to school with you. If you choose to bring your phone on campus with you, it is your responsibility to be on campus early enough to turn your device in before the school day starts. Turning your device in will not be an excuse to be tardy.
3. No personal earbuds, earphones, or headphones are allowed to be used by students. If a classroom activity requires headphones, the school will provide them.
4. THERE WILL BE NO WARNINGS!!! Students will be considered warned when the student/parent signs the Cell Phone Policy at registration.
5. Dalhart ISD will not be responsible for any lost or damaged devices, again it is your choice to bring the devices with you, or you can choose to leave them at home.
Consequences for Violating the Cell Phone Policy:
First Offense: All confiscated devices (phones, smartwatches, headphones, earbuds, tablets, etc.) may be picked up after the final school bell for the day.
Second Offense: All confiscated devices (phones, smartwatches, headphones, earbuds, tablets, etc.) may be picked up on the 10th day after the device is confiscated
Third and Subsequent Offenses: All confiscated devices (phones, smartwatches, headphones, earbuds, tablets, etc.) may be picked up on the 30th day after the device is confiscated.
Hereford ISD
We have reached out to Hereford ISD and are waiting for a response.
Highland Park ISD
The district permits students to possess personal cell phones for safety purposes; however, these devices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing, unless they are being used for approved instructional purposes. A student must have approval to possess other personal telecommunications devices on campus such as laptops, tablets, or other portable computers.
Without such permission, teachers will collect the items and turn them in to the principal’s office. The principal will determine whether to return items to students at the end of the day or to contact parents to pick up the items.
If a student uses a telecommunications device without authorization during the school day, the device will be confiscated.
The student or parent may pick up the device from the principal’s office for a fee of $15. This sum doubles with each infraction. Confiscated devices that are not retrieved will be disposed of after the notice required by law.
Panhandle ISD
We have reached out to Hereford ISD and are waiting for a response.
River Road ISD
We are waiting for River Road ISD to send their finalized policy.
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