Adhering to House Bill 208, Senate Bill 181, and Senate Bill 19, JCPS has updated their policies on the use of electronic devices during school hours, and communication with school faculty. The new rules around communication have been in effect since June 16, and the new device regulations take effect on the first day of school, August 7.
Policy Statement
“To meet the requirements of KRS 158.16 and in order to foster a focused, respectful, and academically enriching learning environment, the use of cell phones and telecommunication devices is prohibited from 7:30 AM to 2:10 PM. This all-day phone-free policy reduces distractions, increases student engagement, and supports social and emotional well-being.”
Cell phone ban (House Bill 208)
In compliance with HB 208, personal communication devices will be banned from 7:30am until 2:10pm on school grounds. The banned devices are defined in KRS 158.165 and include, but are not limited to:
Cellular telephones (smartphones or basic phone)
Smartwatches, smart glasses and fitness trackers with communication or internet access
Earbuds, AirPods, and Bluetooth-connected headphones (including over the ear headphones)
MP3 players, and handheld/VR gaming systems
All telecommunication applications/educational distractions installed on any device
Examples include, but are not limited to: Messenger on MAC, Messages on Android, FaceTime, social media platforms. All video/audio streaming services (ex. Netflix, Spotify), and all gaming applications/websites. Use of VPNs or personal hotspots to circumvent JCPS WiFi restrictions
All restrictions outlined in the policy apply to all student use of such devices during the school day. School faculty have final authority on what constitutes a violation of the policy.
Students will not have access to these devices at any time during the day, which includes restroom breaks, lunch, passing periods, or events during school. Devices must be put away in a bag or backpack during the day, and must not be taken out or accessed.
Additional Support is available to help students not access phones during the day. Students can request a locker to place their phone in for the day, families can set screen time locks on student phones, and teachers will have phone storage systems in the classroom.
There are exceptions to the policy such as:
Emergency situations: Students are allowed to use phones with permission to contact emergency services or family when an emergency situation has been declared by a school administrator.
IEP/504 Accommodation: Students with documented accommodations requiring limited device use will be honoured as specified in the plan. The school will maintain and share a list of students who are allowed to use their cell phones for the sole purpose of the approved accommodation.
Medical necessity: Students with a documented health need (ex., diabetes monitoring as outlined in a 504 plan) may be permitted restricted device use for the purpose of the approved medical accommodation.
Communication Policy (Senate Bill 181)
Furthermore, with SB 181 in effect, new rules and regulations have been put in place regarding student and faculty communication. This bill mandates the use of a “designated traceable communication system” between the faculty and students. Athletic coaches, paid and volunteer, are also considered to be faculty, and are now legally required to find platforms to communicate with students.
Applications such as iMessage and GroupMe are no longer sanctioned, however the following applications are appropriate: Blackboard Ultra, Class Dojo, Google Workspace and Microsoft for Education, Infinite Campus, and JCPS District emails.
Parents or guardians may give written consent through a waiver that a student and a specific faculty member may communicate outside the traceable platforms.
Penalties
Staff at Atherton have outlined consequences for those who do not follow the personal device guidelines. The following progressive discipline system will be used for violations each semester:
*No verbal warnings will be issued before enforcement.
**Refusal to hand over the phone to an administrator will result in immediate suspension.
Additional changes to the school year include students observing “a moment of silence or reflection of at least one (1) minute, but not to exceed two(2) minutes, in duration” at the beginning of each and every school day under Senate Bill 19.
