FAQ – Rio Norte Personal Device Policy

○While part of the rationale includes limiting activities that result in negative and
inappropriate behavior, nothing in this policy is intended as a punishment. We want
students focused on learning. Part of that learning includes social interactions. Student
electronic use impedes social development and academic progress and greater
evidence is coming in from medical professionals and studies by leading educational
institutions showing that screen time needs to be limited during these key
developmental years for teenagers.

➢ Brunch and lunch breaks are their free time. Why can't they be permitted to use it as they
wish just like in the workplace?
○ As a school we have a responsibility to protect students while they are on campus.
We are charged with keeping them safe and protecting their privacy. Free access to
the World Wide Web during breaks compromises our ability to protect their
privacy and the accessing of inappropriate content, especially those exposed by
others showing them something on their device. Free access also allows them to
be bullied while at school through the device. Students are not adults. There are
many things adults can do that students can not, such as drive a car and use
tobacco products.

○ You are welcome to call the main office at (661)295-3700. We have office assistants and
campus supervisors who can help deliver a message.
○ You are welcome to still text them knowing they will get the message at 2:30 p.m.
(1:30 p.m. on Early Release Wednesdays) when they can access their phones again.

○You can also send your child an email as they may have opportunities to check email
during the day using classroom Chromebooks or in the library during breaks.

○ Counselors could also be of assistance to the student, if needed, for critical messages.

➢ Will my child be able to use their cell phone in an emergency?
○ Absolutely. We have not banned cell phones from campus, just required they be in
the backpack in the off position while on campus. Since their backpack remains with
them, they could access the phone in an emergency. An emergency would not be a
situation like forgetting homework or lunch. In these cases a student can access a
classroom phone with teacher permission or an office phone to contact parents. If
they are in danger they may of course access their phone.

➢ I want my child to have his/her cell phone with them at all times.
○ All students may keep phones in their backpacks, which are with them throughout
the school day. Students with a documented need to have their phone on them
from a licensed professional will be permitted to use it under the prescribed
circumstances (e.g. diabetic monitors, etc.).

➢ Can there be a designated time during the school day for students to check their
phones, such as the last few minutes of class?
○ Every minute of classroom instructional time is precious. One of the purposes of this
policy is to gain back the instructional time being lost. We also do not want students
accessing information during the school day that may be upsetting and further
distract them from the primary goal of learning.

➢ When can a student access his/her cell personal device in school?
○ Upon entering the school gates, phones and devices must be placed in the off
position and stored in the backpack. They can be accessed again once they exit
the gate after the 2:30 p.m. dismissal.
○ Occasionally, teachers may have an instructional purpose for allowing students to
use their personal device during the class. Teachers will direct students as needed.

 

○ 1st Offense - Student can pick up their device in the office after 2:35 pm.

○ 2nd Offense - Student can pick up their device in the office after 2:35 pm and parent notification is made by office staff.
○ 3rd Offense - School consequence assigned and a parent or parent designee over
18 years old must pick up the device in the office during office hours (7:15 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. on school days, except minimum days).
○ 4th Offense - Additional consequences will be assigned and parent or parent
designee over 18 years old must pick up the device in the office during office
hours.
○ 5th Offense - Possible in-school suspension/additional consequences and a phone
misuse contract with parent and student.
○ Continued offenses may result in further in-school suspensions.
○ ***Any personal device usage that is determined to have taken place during school
hours, even after the fact, will be enforced by the progressive discipline model.

 

○ Parents can send another adult, 18 years or older, to pick up the personal device from the main office. The
device will not be given back to the student on the 3rd time for the same infraction. (See
progressive discipline model)efuse to hand over their device when they have
violated the policy?
○ Please call the office if there are extenuating circumstances.

➢ How will you handle students who refuses to follow the directions?
○ A student who refuses to follow the direction of a valid school authority
(administrator, teacher, campus supervisor) in enforcing the policies and
procedures of the school is violating section 48900 (k) of the California Education
Code and will be subject to discipline that could include suspension. We will
continue to build positive relationships with students to ensure their compliance
when a violation of the personal device policy happens.

➢ What if another student accesses my child's cell phone or personal device during school
hours?
○ Students are responsible for what belongs to them. The student who used the cell
phone or device and the student whose cell phone or device was used would both be
in violation of the personal device policy and be subject to the progressive discipline
model. Of course if it was determined another student went into the backpack
without permission, appropriate consequences would be given.

➢ What if my child has a documented medical need requiring they have a cell phone on
them?
○ A student who has a health plan on file with the school nurse stating that a cell
phone is used to monitor a diagnosed health need is a legitimate reason for a
student to have their phone on them at all times. Please consult with our school
nurse if your child falls into this category. The nurse will make sure all appropriate
staff are aware of the documented need. Students who have this accommodation
and use their device for any other purpose will follow a similar progressive
disciplinary plan.

➢ What is defined as using a cell phone or personal device?
○ Any viewing or use of a cell phone or personal device (including, but not limited to:
airpods, tablets, laptops, gaming devices, etc.) between the time a student enters
the campus gates and leaves the campus gates. It is important that students
understand the importance of not putting themselves in the position of a staff
member suspecting them of viewing their phone, smartwatch, airpods, etc. It is one
thing for a student to accidentally have it fall out of their backpack, pick it up, and
place it back in the backpack. This is different from a student who appears to be, or
is actually using it. Long story short…don’t put yourself in a position where it looks
like you are using it. Students who put these items away when entering the gates
during the day, and don’t access it until after 2:30 p.m. outside the gates will have
no issues with this policy.

➢ What if the cell phone is stolen?
○ The William S. Hart Union High School District and Rio Norte Junior High School
are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal devices brought to
school at a student’s own risk. Students are permitted to keep their devices in
their backpacks in the off position, but they maintain responsibility for the
security of their backpacks.

➢ What devices fall under this policy?
○ Cell phones, smart watches, gaming devices, tablets, laptops and any device that
can act like a cell phone with text and online features or that connects to the
internet or cellular service. We have everything students need to complete their
work in the school.

➢ How can I reach my child who is involved in activities on campus once the office is closed?
○ Students may access their phones, under teacher direction, during activities after
school and on field trips to facilitate parent-student communication. Students will be
permitted to have their phones during events such as school dances and field trips to
facilitate parent-student communication for pick-up. Appropriate use of the device with
staff permission is expected.

➢ Cell phones can be an incredible learning tool in the classroom. Aren't students
missing out on an opportunity?
○ We agree that technology is a great learning tool. All of our classrooms have class sets
of Chromebooks for teachers to use for learning activities that involve technology.
Because we are not banning cell phones from campus, occasionally teachers may
design lessons that utilize cell phones while in the classroom. Teachers are
empowered to make these instructional decisions at Rio Norte and will give specific
permission to their students for the expectations of utilizing personal devices for
instructional purposes.

○ It is not legal for students to record others in classrooms or on-campus without their permission. (CA Ed
Code 78907 and 51512)
○ When students choose to record others in conflict they are choosing not to
intervene to help or go to get an adult to help.
○ When this footage is posted, it creates more conflict and drama that further
disrupts school.
○ Usually only portions of a conflict are recorded. This is problematic as we need to
investigate and deal with what led up to the conflict. The piece recorded can
often be misleading to the public as it rarely shows the full account of what
occurred.