505.11 - Use of Personal Electronic Devices by Students

It is the policy of the Linn-Mar Community School District that students may not use personal electronic devices during classroom instructional time. See additional expectations delineated by grade levels:

Grade

Expectations

K-8

Student personal electronic devices are not allowed during school hours.  This is defined as the time students arrive on campus until dismissal. 

9-12

Student personal electronic devices are restricted during the entire class time which is defined as bell to bell. Student personal electronic devices are only allowed during passing times, campus release time, during lunch and before/after school hours (unless noted below in the general rules section).

DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this policy, a “personal electronic device” is a device that is used by a student to send or receive information or create or review content, including cellular and mobile phones, watches or other wearable devices in a receive or transmit mode, laptop or notebook computers, tablets, video game devices, portable media players, and any applications or programs installed by the student on a school-owned or issued device. A “personal electronic device” does not include a device possessed by the student for documented legal, health, and safety purposes and used solely for those purposes or issued by the district for instructional purposes.

A student’s personal electronic device may be used for instructional purposes, in grades 9-12, under the following conditions: a member of the school’s instructional staff permits use of personal electronic devices for a specific instructional purpose or activity or a course policy, syllabus, or handbook indicates that personal electronic devices are permitted in the course for a specific purpose or purposes.

The following are the district-provided educational technologies and devices that will be made available to students for instructional purposes:

Kindergarten students are assigned an iPad, first through twelfth grade students are assigned a laptop and some students utilize communication devices due to their specific needs.

“Instructional time” is any time during which a student is under the guidance and supervision of licensed instructional staff or instructional assistants (i.e. bell to bell). This impacts grades 9th-12th as grades K-8th are not provided an option for cell phone use during the day (see the table above).

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND SCHOOL

  • Parents/Guardians
    • A parent or guardian, after verification by school officials, may communicate with a student through the school office.
    • If there is a family emergency requiring the student’s immediate attention, a parent or guardian may contact the school office.
    • Parents/guardians with students in grades 9-12 may reach their students during times students have been granted access to their devices.
  •  School
    • In the event of an emergency at the school, the school will contact the parent or guardian by the method most recently listed by the parent in the school’s student information system (i.e. PowerSchool) immediately when it becomes safe to do so.
    • In the event of an emergency involving the broader school community, the school will contact parents and guardians by phone or email and therefore it is critical that PowerSchool, the district’s student information system, is up to date with parent/guardian contact information.
    • In either scenario, a school emergency supersedes this policy about use of personal electronic devices and any student will be allowed to access their device during this type of situation.

A student’s personal electronic device (as defined on page 1), not otherwise allowed to be used under this policy,

  • K-4 Grades - must be securely stored and out of sight at all times in the student’s locker or book bag.
  • 5-12 Grades - must be securely stored and out of sight at all times.

Devices, in the school’s possession, will be securely stored in the office.

VIOLATIONS OF POLICY

Grade

Discipline for Use During Instructional Time

K-8

1st Offense: Documented student warning and student secures device.

2nd Offense: Device held by teacher/staff member until dismissal and parent notification from teacher. 

3rd+ Offense: Teacher/staff member delivers device to school office and administrator or designee notifies parent and possible parent meeting and action plan.

9-12

1st Offense: The Responsibility Centered Discipline process will be implemented in cases of inappropriate device use or when a student refuses to stop using their device during a time when it is not permitted for class activities.

2nd Offense: Device may be held by teacher/school staff for the remainder of the class. Parent contact and documentation.

3rd Offense: May fall under disruptive behavior, disorderly conduct, harassment, verbal threat, or insubordination using the Responsibility Centered Discipline for inappropriate use or use when a student refuses to discontinue use of device when they are not to be on it for a class

If the student uses a personal electronic device during the administration of any assessment, the student will face disciplinary action. If the student uses a personal electronic device in a state or federal mandated assessment, the school will follow any protocols for that assessment’s security.

STUDENT-SPECIFIC EXCEPTIONS TO POLICY

Petition by Parent or Guardian: A parent or guardian of a student may petition to allow their child to maintain access to a personal electronic device for a legitimate reason related to the student’s physical or mental health, based on the unique facts of the student’s case. The petition shall be addressed to the building principal. If not granted, a parent or guardian may appeal to the superintendent or designee, whose decision shall be final. A parent or guardian has the burden of providing a legitimate reason for allowing the child to maintain access to a personal electronic device contrary to [school’s] policy.

Student Plans: A student who has a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP), a plan under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, or health plan may maintain access to a personal device during an appropriate portion of the school day as documented in the plan. The device should be used solely in the manner necessary and documented.

Adopted: 7/25
Iowa Code: 279.87
Mandatory Policy