Policies and Plans

MMS Cell Phone Policy 2023-24 

MMS CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES POLICY

● Students may possess personal electronic devices such as cell phones, smart watches, airpods etc.,  while on school property. However, during the school day (7:45-2:45) these devices will be kept in a secure lockbox in the student’s homeroom. Students are responsible for turning their device into their homeroom teacher at 7:45 each morning and will return at 2:45 each afternoon to collect it. The school will not be responsible for loss, theft, or damage to these devices.  

● Students are not allowed to use their cell phone/electronic communication devices between school hours (7:45-2:45) unless explicit permission from an administrator or teacher has been given.  Appropriate use of devices is permitted before/after school. Inappropriate use (including but not limited to: photos of exams, or photos in locker rooms, etc.) of cameras on personal communication devices (cell phones) is strictly prohibited on school property or at school functions. A student in violation of this policy is subject to related disciplinary action and possible legal action, if warranted.      

● In circumstances where students need to communicate with parents during the school day, students may use the front office phone or classroom phone to contact parents or may obtain permission from a teacher or administrator to use their phone in case of an emergency.  Parents who need to communicate with their student during the school day may call the front office at (423) 442-4137/(423) 442-4154.  

● Students who violate cell phone/electronics policy will have the device confiscated, and a parent/guardian must retrieve the device from the school office.  The district violation policy is as follows:

1st violation: The principal or designee will confiscate the device resulting in a warning and loss of phone privileges for the remainder of the day and parents/guardian may be notified. The device is to be picked up by the parent/guardian during school hours or released to the student at the end of the school day with principal discretion.

2nd violation: The principal or designee will confiscate the device resulting in loss of phone privileges for the remainder of the day and notify the parent/guardian.  The device is to be picked up by the parent/guardian during school hours or released to the student at the end of the school day with principal discretion.  The student shall also receive 2 days in-school suspension (ISS).

3rd violation: The principal or designee will confiscate the device resulting in loss of phone privileges for the remainder of the day and notify the parent/guardian. The device is to be picked up by the parent/guardian during school hours or released to the student at the end of the school day with principal discretion.  The student shall also receive 3 days in-school suspension (ISS).

4th violation: The principal or designee will confiscate the devices resulting in loss of privileges for the remainder of the day and notify the parent/guardian.  The device is to be picked up by the parent/guardian during school hours or released to the student at the end of the school day with principal discretion.  The student shall also receive 1-3 days out-of-school suspension (OSS). 5th violation or more:  The principal or designee will confiscate the devices resulting in loss of privileges for the remainder of the day and notify the parent/guardian.  The device is to be picked up by the parent/guardian during school hours or released to the student at the end of the school day with principal discretion.  

The 5th violation or more can be considered flagrant with further disciplinary consequences (but not limited to):  OSS, community service, after-school detention, etc.

 

*Refusal to turn a personal electronic device to the principal or designee after a violation of this policy may result in 1-3 days of out-of-school suspension (OSS). **The MMS policy regarding cell phone/electronic device use is in alignment with the Monroe County Schools Student Handbook and Monroe County School Board Policy 6.312.  These documents are available digitally through the Monroe County Schools Website.  

 

MMS Cellphone Policy-Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why is it necessary to collect student cellphones and keep them in a lockbox? Why can’t they just leave them in their locker or backpack?  This is how we previously tried to address the problems with cellphones at school.  We found that students would still use their devices in the bathrooms or hallways if a staff member wasn’t present and would still attempt to use their phones in class.  Leaving their devices in their lockers also puts them at risk for being stolen.  The lockboxes address both these issues.  The lockboxes also mean that parents don’t have to worry about their student having their phone repeatedly confiscated for use during school and sent to the office for them to come by and pick up. 

 

If my student’s phone is in the lockbox, will staff members be looking at what’s on it? No, when a student puts their phone in the lockbox, it should be turned off or silenced.  There would be no reason for staff to attempt to access their phone. Administration would only request to see a student’s phone in the event that an issue directly involving that student’s device and its use at school has violated school rules, and then would only review content specific to that incident.  For example, if a student videoed two students fighting on their morning bus route, then administration would ask the student to view that specific video.  

 

What if I don’t want my student’s phone to be locked up during the day at school?  If you are uncomfortable with the idea of your student’s device being placed in the lockbox, you always have the option of keeping your student’s device at home.  

 

What if I need to speak to my student during the school day? What if my student needs to call me? Parents/guardians will still be able to get in touch with their student(s) and vice versa.  Families can reach students by calling our front office at 423-442-4137 or 423-442-4154.  In non-emergency situations we will take a message for your student and if needed have them call you back between classes.  All of our classrooms are equipped with phones with the capability of dialing out, so if a student needed to call they will be able to do that from the classroom or our front office.  We will also continue to use Class Dojo as a way to communicate with parents via messaging.   I thought students could use their phones in class to access information for school work, projects, and other activities.  

Won’t they still need to do that?  Since the district’s 1 to 1 Technology Initiative has been in effect for the last several years, students no longer need a cell phone to access information, work on projects, etc. Each student has access to their own school device with internet access while at school, so no other device is necessary.  

 

What is the point/goal of the new cell phone policy? Our goal with this drastic change, is to give all our students at least 7 hours out of their day where they are engaged in academic/social pursuits without the distraction of cellphones.  We hope that like other schools who have put this type of policy in place, we begin to see more personal interaction between students, teachers, and staff members, leading to stronger relational skills, more focus on learning, and a greater sense of community at MMS.

 

 Why do you need a different policy from other schools? Don’t all district schools handle phones the same way?  No, the board policy (6.312) is very general, stating that phones should be off at school unless a teacher gives permission, however it also gives each school the freedom to make their own more specific policy.  For example, at a primary school Kindergarteners don’t have access to phones, while at the high school level, students are considered responsible/mature enough to have their phones out during specifically designated times.  For our middle schoolers we find that their phones are much more a hindrance than help during the school day.  

 

Are student cell phones really that big a problem at MMS?  Unfortunately, yes cell phones become more of a problem with each passing year. They cause a wide range of negative effects, including but not limited to:

 

 Attention Span: Studies show that most teens touch their phones well over 2,000 times in a single day!  Research also shows that due to social media formats/instant access to information, student attention spans are getting shorter every year.  

Discipline: At MMS we estimate that cell phones are a factor in 70-80% of all the discipline issues that we address in a typical day at MMS.  Many of these situations begin outside of school hours, but because of social media and messaging on devices, the situations often escalate during school hours, leading to discipline/consequences.  Students may engage in behaviors/trends they see online which are not appropriate for school which again leads to discipline/consequences.  

Social/Emotional Pressure: Middle school is often a difficult time for students, this was true long before cell phones were even common.  Now with the pressures of social media and exposure to popular influencers/trends, our students are overwhelmed by the messages being thrown at them. These lead to increased peer pressure, poor self-esteem, and negative interactions with their peers.

 

  **This policy is in no way intended to be a punishment for our students.  This policy is an attempt to give our students a school environment where they can learn without the distraction or drama that cell phones pose for our middle schoolers.