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Cell Phones at School

students on cell phones in school setting

What Colonial Families Need to Know

Colonial School District Board Policy 298

Section 200 – Students
Cell Phone Use by Students During School Hours
The Colonial School District Board of Education has adopted Policy 298: Cell Phone Use by Students During School Hours to establish clear and consistent expectations for student cell phones and personal electronic devices in our schools. We know cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and other personal devices are a part of everyday life for many families. This policy is not about eliminating technology. It is about helping our students stay focused on learning, be present with one another, protect privacy, and make responsible choices with technology during the school day.

Here’s what Colonial families need to know.

For Our Elementary Students
Elementary students are generally not permitted to use cell phones or other personal electronic devices during school hours. If your child brings a device to school, it should be:

  • Powered off or on silent

  • Put away in a backpack, locker, or other location designated by the school

  • Kept away for the school day unless an approved exception applies

For Our Middle & High School Students
Middle and high school students may not use cell phones or other personal electronic devices during instructional time unless given permission by school staff or an approved exception applies. Schools may allow limited device use during designated non-instructional times or in approved locations. Because each school operates a little differently, individual schools will communicate any additional expectations to their students and families. When device use is permitted, it should never interfere with:

  • Learning

  • School operations

  • Tests or assessments

  • The privacy of others

  • Expectations outlined in the Student Code of Conduct

It’s More Than Just Cell Phones
Policy 298 applies to a variety of personal electronic devices, including:

  • Cell phones and smartphones
  • Earbuds and headphones
  • Tablets
  • Handheld gaming devices
  • Personal laptops or Chromebooks
  • Wearable technology (ex. Smartwatches, AI-enabled or augmented-reality glasses, etc. )
  • Other personal devices that can communicate, record, or connect to the internet

 

What If I Need to Reach My Child?
We understand there are times when families need to get an important message to their child during the school day. Families are encouraged to contact their child’s school office when an important or time-sensitive message needs to be shared. Each Colonial school will also communicate its procedures and specific expectations for student device use.

Are There Exceptions?
Yes. We recognize that some students need access to a device for medical, educational, language-access, or safety reasons.
Approved exceptions may include:

  • A documented medical need

  • An Individualized Education Program (IEP)

  • A Section 504 Plan

  • Another approved educational accommodation

  • Language-access support for multilingual learners

  • A verified emergency

  • An instructional or safety purpose directed by school staff

This policy shall not prohibit student access to a cell phone or other electronic device during an actual threat to the health, welfare, or safety of the student, solely for the purposes of communicating with parents, guardians, or emergency first responders. Schools will explain how families can request an approved exception when needed.

What Happens If a Student Does Not Follow the Expectations?
Our first goal is to help students understand and follow the expectations. When violations occur, we will handle consequences in accordance with the Colonial School District Student Code of Conduct. Colonial will also monitor discipline related to cell phone and electronic-device violations to help ensure the policy is applied consistently and equitably across our schools.

Guidelines for Requesting an Exception to the Student Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy

Related Policy: 200-298  |  Status: Adopted by the Colonial Board of Education on 8.11.26

1. Purpose

These guidelines describe the exception process referenced in Policy 298, establishing a consistent method for students, parents, or guardians to request approval for a student to access a cell phone or other electronic device during school hours for a documented medical need, an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a Section 504 Plan, another educational accommodation, language-access support for multilingual learners, or another qualifying circumstance.

2. Who May Submit a Request

A parent or guardian, or a student age 18 or older, may submit a request. A request may also be initiated by school staff (e.g., a school nurse, special education coordinator or counselor) on a student's behalf, with parent or guardian notification.

3. Responsible Staff Member

The Building Principal or designated Assistant Principal is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and issuing a final decision on all exception requests at their school. The Principal shall consult the appropriate staff member based on the basis for the request before deciding:

Basis for Request

Staff Consulted

Medical need

School Nurse

IEP

Special Education Coordinator

Section 504 Plan

504 Coordinator / School Counselor

Language-access support

MLL Teacher

Other educational accommodation

Relevant service provider or School Counselor

The Principal, or designee, is the single point of accountability for granting, denying, and documenting the exception, even when a specialist is consulted.

4. Documentation Requirements

Required documentation depends on the basis for the request, as follows:

Basis for Request

Required Documentation

Medical need

Signed statement from a licensed physician or healthcare provider describing the need for device access (e.g., blood glucose monitoring, communication of a medical alert) and any conditions on use.

IEP

Reference to the specific IEP provision authorizing device use; no separate form required if already documented in the IEP.

Section 504 Plan

Reference to the specific 504 Plan accommodation authorizing device use.

Language-access support

Written confirmation from MLL staff identifying the student's need for translation or interpretation support.

Other accommodation

Written description of the need and supporting documentation as applicable (e.g., school counselor recommendation).

Verified ongoing emergency

Written explanation from parent or guardian of the specific safety circumstance.

All requests must be submitted using the district's Cell Phone/Electronic Device Exception Request Form, available in the main office and on the school website.

5. Process and Timeline

  1. Requestor submits the completed form with supporting documentation to the main office, addressed to the Principal.
  2. The Principal, or designee, consults relevant staff as outlined in Section 3.
  3. The Principal issues a written decision to the requestor within 5 school days of receiving a complete request. If documentation is incomplete, the Principal shall notify the requestor within 2 school days of what is missing; the timeline restarts upon receipt of complete documentation.
  4. Approved exceptions specify: the scope of permitted use (e.g., specific times, locations, or purposes), any conditions (e.g., silent mode, staff supervision), and the duration of the approval.
  5. Approved exceptions are documented in the student's file and, where applicable, referenced in the IEP/504 Plan. Relevant staff (teachers, nurse, front office) are notified so the exception is consistently honored.

6. Duration and Renewal

Exceptions tied to an IEP or 504 Plan remain in effect for the duration of that plan and are reviewed at each plan review. Medical and other exceptions are approved for a specified period, not to exceed one school year, and must be renewed annually or when circumstances change.

7. Denial and Appeal

If a request is denied, the Principal shall provide a written explanation. A parent or guardian may appeal the decision to the Superintendent or Designee within 10 school days of the denial. The appeal decision is final.

8. Recordkeeping

Schools shall maintain a log of all exception requests, decisions, and supporting documentation, consistent with student records retention requirements, to support the equity monitoring described in Policy 298.