On Monday, March 3, 2025, new expectations on student personal technology device use in schools will go into effect to prevent the use of personal devices during the student day. Here are several things parents/guardians should know as the updated policy goes into effect to help students avoid violating the policy. Parents/guardians should discuss these changes with their child so they are prepared to follow the policy changes put in place and avoid facing consequences.
What actually changes on March 3? The newly updated policy prevents the use of most personal devices from the first bell of the day to the last bell of the day across all grade levels. This includes cell phones, headphones/earbuds, tablets, and other items that perform similar functions. Smart watches may be worn but only used to check the time. There are some limited allowances as part of IEP, 504 and health plans, and school administrators may allow use in very limited instances. The full changes and expectations may be found online.
Can school staff choose to allow students to use personal devices in schools or classrooms? Policies adopted by the Board of Education are not voluntary. School staff will not have the option of allowing students to use personal devices in schools other than those approved in the policy (laptops in high school, and smartwatches).
What happens when a student violates the policy? The new policy updates provide clear consequences for students who use a personal technology device during an unapproved time. The first time a device is confiscated from a student, the student will be able to pick up the device at the end of the student school day. Every subsequent violation will result in a parent/guardian having to pick up the device from the school. Students who are permitted to use a personal device as part of an IEP, 504 or health plan but use their devices in unapproved ways will have different consequences. The full details related to consequences for policy violations may be found online.
When can parents/guardians pick up confiscated devices from the school? After a student’s second policy violation, a parent/guardian will be required to pick up the device from school during the school start and dismissal time posted on the school’s website. Staff will not be expected to be available outside school hours for devices to be retrieved by parents/guardians. It is not necessary for a parent/guardian to pick up a device on the day it was confiscated. School staff will hold the device in a locked and secure space until it is retrieved.
Where are students expected to store their devices during the school day? There is not an expectation that students store their devices in any designated location such as lockers, backpacks or pouches. The policy only requires that personal devices are away and silenced and are not a distraction during the student day. Students should use the reference guide to set restrictions on notifications and time limits on apps so their devices do not create distractions in school. Parents/guardians may also set parental controls for apps on Apple and Android devices to limit screen time during school hours.
Why was it necessary to make these policy adjustments? For several years, HCPSS educators have pointed to student personal devices as having a significant detrimental impact to the instructional and social environment in schools. This has become a topic of conversation in school districts across the country and many districts have already implemented similar policies. As part of a survey that was completed by over 9,000 students, staff and parents/guardians, staff and parents/guardians felt personal student device use by students during the school day was a problem and overwhelmingly supported restrictions.
How can I provide feedback on the implementation of the policy changes? Opportunities will be shared in the months following implementation on March 3 so students, staff and parents/guardians may be able to provide input and feedback on the policy and implementation. The results of this feedback will be leveraged to consider any policy or implementation adjustments to improve the impact on the instructional environment.
More information on the policy changes and implementation may be found on the HCPSS website.
