Cell Phone Policy Update
Hello Parents,
Somerset High School has implemented a new cell phone policy that is designed to:
Improve student productivity
Increase student learning
Help students establish priorities
The new policy (see below), which was explained thoroughly and modeled for all students, has been extremely effective in meeting its intended target. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.
Clifford Higgins
Principal
Electronic Equipment Policy
Somerset High School will adhere to the following policy regarding cell phones:
Cell phones and other electronic devices shall not be used during instructional minutes, both inside and outside of the classroom, with the exception of Sustained Silent Reading time or at the “Cell Phone Park.” During the first five minutes of class, cell phones may be used as a device for retrieving literature for Sustained Silent Reading (SSR). After SSR, cell phones shall be put in the silent/vibrate mode and stored away i.e. pockets, backpack, cell phone spa or cubby, for the remainder of the period unless they are being used for any other valid instructional or other school-related purposes as determined by the teacher or other school site staff.
Students who elect to expose their cell phone, (this includes checking for the time, checking for text messages or incoming calls, etc.), will be dismissed from class and will be required to report to the Cell Phone Park for the remainder of the period. Students with cell phones out and visible while transitioning to the restroom or back to class will be directed to the Cell Phone Park for the remainder of the period. Students dismissed to the Cell Phone Park will need to proceed to their next class at the end of the period and must be on time.
Student time spent in the Cell Phone Park will be documented and may result in the loss of school privileges including field trips; ASB events or activities; maintaining a morning schedule. Students may also be denied permission to Buy-out; assigned an after school detention or face further disciplinary consequences in accordance with Education Code 48900 (k), “Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, administrators, school officials, or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties.”
Cellular devices and other electronic components may be used on campus during snack, lunch, before school and or after school.
Other electronic components are:
ipods / mp3 players / Gameboys / personal game devices
headphones /earbuds / CD players, etc.
Tablets or ipads
Somerset High School will adhere to the following policy related to computer hardware and software:
● There is to be no food or drink in the area of computers.
● Students may not bring software from outside the classroom.
● Students may not download programs into the computers.
● Students’ internet usage will be monitored and if inappropriate, internet access will be withheld.
Any device with camera, video, or voice recording shall not be used in any manner which infringes on the privacy rights of any other person.