To: Parents and Students of Augusta County Public Schools (ACPS)
On Thursday, December 5, 20024, the School Board unanimously voted to approve the Personally-Owned Electronic Device (PED) Free Education policy (see policy below). This policy will go into effect at the beginning of the second semester when students return to school following the holiday break on Monday, January 6, 2025. The expectation for students will be that all personally owned electronic devices are “away for the (school) day.”
Personally-owned Electronic Device (PED)-Free Education -
Definitions:
“Bell-to-Bell” means from when the first bell rings at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the academic school day. “Bell-to-bell” includes lunch and time in between class periods.
“Cell Phone-Free Education” means the age-appropriate elimination or restriction of cell phones and other personal electronic communication devices in public schools.
“Cell Phone” means a personal device capable of making calls, transmitting pictures or video, or sending or receiving messages through electronic means. The definition of a cell phone is inclusive of a non-smartphone that is limited to making phone calls or text messages, a smartphone that encompasses the above features, and other future personal electronic communication devices with the abovementioned characteristics.
“Instructional time” means any structured or unstructured learning experiences that occur from when the first bell rings at the start of the school day until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the academic school day.
“Personally-owned Electronic Device (PED)” means any personal device capable of connecting to a smartphone, the internet, a cellular or Wi-Fi network, or another similar device. Personal electronic communication devices may include but are not limited to, some wearable devices such as smartwatches, personal headphones, earbuds, laptops, tablets, other Bluetooth-enabled devices, and other future personally-owned electronic devices with the abovementioned characteristics.
“Stored” means a PED not being carried on the student’s person, including not in the student’s pocket. Storage options include, but are not limited to, in the student’s backpack, in the student’s locker, in a locked pouch, or in a designated place in the classroom.
High Schools (9th-12th grade) PED-Free education:
PEDs will not be used by high school students during the bell-to-bell school day.
If PEDs are brought to school, they must be stored and off during the bell-to-bell school day.
Outside of the bell-to-bell instructional time, PEDs may be used on a high school campus before or after school.
During bell-to-bell instructional time, students must use school-based communication
tools and platforms (whether in the office, classroom, or other centralized location) to
communicate non-emergency needs with parents.
Parents should use school-based communication tools and channels to communicate
emergencies during bell-to-bell instructional time.
Educators and all co-curricular and extra-curricular sponsors must use school-based communication tools and channels to communicate with students regarding activity and athletic scheduling information during the bell-to-bell school day.
If a high school student travels to a different campus, facility, or regional program during the school day, they must adhere to that building’s policy and procedures for PEDs.
Non-compliance may result in student disciplinary action. Multiple issues of non-compliance will result in disciplinary action related to “general misconduct” and moving into “failure to obey”, if necessary. Refer to the “Recommended Disciplinary Action” flowchart in the ACPS Secondary Student-Parent Handbook.
Exceptions to PED-free Education During the Bell-to-Bell School Day
Allowable exemptions for PED use must be written into a 504, IEP, and/or individualized health care plans. All individualized healthcare plans that include PED usage must be written in consideration of recommendations from a doctor or equivalent healthcare professional.
A student who uses a PED for audio or video recording during a health or safety emergency may not receive disciplinary consequences.
PEDs may be used:
when students are attending non-instructional after-school events/activities
when students are riding the school bus, as long as such use is not disruptive, distracting, or unsafe; students must use earbuds or headphones while listening to music or watching videos with sound while on the school bus
by high school students during specific post-secondary planning activities or age-appropriate tasks as approved by the principal
Prohibited Conduct
The following use of PEDs is strictly prohibited:
tease, bully, intimidate, threaten, or harass another individual;
collaborate with, encourage, or incite others to participate in violent or unlawful acts on
school property or at school-sponsored activities; this includes creating and sharing
video or content that causes disruption and disturbance;
create, possess, exchange, distribute, post, or transmit a photograph, digitized image, or video of a person in any condition of nudity, or a person engaged in any sexual act;
engage in academic dishonesty and cheating;
use of a PED as a laser pointer is strictly prohibited;
refusing to surrender a PED when directed to do so by school personnel
Such refusal shall result in disciplinary action related to “failure to obey”
Improper use of any such devices may result in confiscation of the device by school personnel and/or other appropriate disciplinary action in violation of law or policy while on school property (including buses) or while attending any school function or activity will be subject to disciplinary action which may include suspension or expulsion and may be reported to law enforcement.
ACPS is not responsible for the safety or security of any PED. Possession of PEDs on school property or at school-sponsored events or activities constitutes consent for and authorizes a school official to confiscate and search such devices. In addition, any school official may confiscate the device and review or search the contents and activity on the device if reasonable suspicion exists that the device has been used or is being used in violation of ACPS policies, including but not limited to the Student Code of Conduct, the 8.530.1 Policy, or in violation of any law.