FOLSOM, Calif. — All Folsom Cordova Unified School District schools begin instruction Thursday, and cellphone usage is either prohibited or conditionally permitted depending on a student’s grade.
Students in grades TK-8 may not use cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches or other mobile communication devices once they have entered campus for the instructional day, however, students in grades 6-8 may resume cellphone use after the last period of the day and during after-school extracurricular and sporting activities, according to the school district’s board policy.
While in those grades, students’ devices must be turned off and placed out of sight during the school day, the board said. Students who need to call parents may use phones located in the administrative office.
Students in grades 9-12 may use cell phones, smartphones, smart watches or other mobile communication devices on campus during non-instructional time, the policy states.
The board said district and site administrators have authority to use any product or policy they feel would assist a school’s successful implementation of mobile device restriction on campus.
“The governing board recognizes that the use of cell phones, smartphones, smart watches and other mobile communication devices on campus may be beneficial to student learning and well-being, but could also be disruptive of the instructional program,” the school district’s policy states.
When phones can and can’t be used:
Generally, if students are in class, they can’t be on their phones.
However, a student is allowed to use their phone in any of the following circumstances, according to the school board:
- In the case of an emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger.
- When a teacher, administrator or other district employee grants permission to the student to possess or use a cellphone, subject to any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher, administrator or other district employee.
- When a licensed physician or surgeon determines that the possession or use is necessary for the student's health and well-being.
- When the possession or use is required by the student's individualized education program.
The board said smartphones and other devices can’t be used in any manner that infringes upon another person’s privacy rights, and cell phones may not be used at any time in gym locker rooms.
When a school official reasonably suspects a search of a student's cellphone will turn up evidence of the student's violation of the law or school rules, a search can be conducted in accordance with board policy, which enforces stipulations such as:
- Employees shall not conduct strip searches or body cavity searches of any student.
- Searches of individual students shall be conducted in the presence of at least two district employees.
- The principal or designee shall notify the parent or guardian of a student subjected to an individualized search as soon as possible after the search.
“When a student uses a mobile communication device in an unauthorized manner, the student may be disciplined and a district employee may confiscate the device,” the district’s policy reads. “The employee shall store the device securely until it is returned to the student or turned over to the principal or designee, as appropriate.”
If a cellphone is turned over to the principal, a parent or guardian can be notified and required to pick up the device from school. A student who engages in unauthorized cellphone use may then be restricted from possessing a mobile communication device at school or school-related events.
A student may also be subject to discipline for off-campus cellphone use if it should pose a threat or danger to the safety of students, staff or district property or substantially disrupts school activities.
The district is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged cellphones, and the superintendent is tasked by the board with informing students of this.
Students enrolled at Prospect Community Day School, an alternative school within the district, are prohibited from using cellphones except with prior consent for health reasons.
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