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- The possession of cellular telephones and other personal electronic devices (PEDs) is a privilege extended only to high school students. Due to the potential disruption a cellular telephone or PED may cause to the instructional environment the disciplinary actions outlined below will be strictly enforced.
- The use of cellular telephones or other PEDs is forbidden for all students at all times during the instructional day. The instructional day includes, but is not limited to, lunch breaks, class changes, study halls and any other structured or non-structured instructional activity that occurs during the normal school day. Devices must be out of sight and turned off. This prohibition includes all emergency situations unless the student is directed to use a cellular telephone or PED by an APS employee or other official.
Specifically:
- This policy is in effect from the time a student arrives at school until the completion of the instructional day. High school students with permission to possess PEDs may use them during afterschool activities as allowed by the school principal or designee.
- Students are never permitted to use cell phones on the school bus.
- Students are never permitted to use cell phones in the restrooms and locker rooms.
- Students are not allowed to use cell phones in the common areas, lunchrooms or hallways during the regular instructional day.
- All cell phones must be turned off during the instructional day. Students are not allowed to have cell phone ringers on silent alert or send text messages during the instructional day.
- Photographing, audio recording or videotaping on Atlanta Public Schools property is not allowed at any time without the expressed, written consent of the students, staff members or other persons being photographed or recorded.
- The parent or legal guardian must complete the Parent Permission Form for a Cellular Telephone/Personal Electronic Device each school year and deliver it to the school principal or designee before the student is allowed to possess a device on school property.
Disciplinary Consequences and Actions
- All staff members have the right to confiscate cell phones when used in violation of policy JCDAF and its implementing regulation. If a student refuses to relinquish a phone or other device to a school staff member, the staff member may refer the student with the device to the principal or designee.
2. The Atlanta Public Schools assumes no liability for the theft, loss or damage of cellular telephones and other PEDs possessed by students on school property or held by school officials during the confiscation period.
- Disciplinary actions for students whose parent/legal guardians have completed the Parent Permission Form are as follows:
First violation: The device will be confiscated and the telephone or device will be returned only to the parent/legal guardian who must schedule a conference at the school to retrieve the item.
Second violation: The device will be confiscated, the student will be fined $25.00, the student will receive one (1) day suspension, and the telephone or device will be returned only to the parent/legal guardian who must schedule a conference at the school to retrieve the item and pay the fine. Failure to pay fines may result in sanctions until restitution is made, per Board policy JS, Student Fees, Fines and Charges.
Third violation: The phone will be confiscated, the student will lose the privilege of possessing a cellular telephone or PED on school property for one (1) calendar year, the student will be fined $50.00 and receive a three (3) day suspension. Failure to pay fines may result in sanctions until restitution is made, per Board policy JS, Student Fees, Fines and Charges.
Fourth (or more) violation: The device will be confiscated, the student will lose the privilege of possessing a cellular telephone or PED on school property for one (1) calendar year, the student will be fined $50.00 and referred to the Student Tribunal. Failure to pay fines may result in sanctions until restitution is made, per Board policy JS, Student Fees, Fines and Charges.
- Disciplinary actions for students whose parent/legal guardians have not completed the Parent Permission Form are as follows:
- First violation: The device will be confiscated, the student will be fined $25.00 and the telephone or device will be returned only to the parent/legal guardian who must schedule a conference at the school to retrieve the item and pay the fine. The parent/legal guardian will be given the opportunity to complete the Parent Permission Form at the first conference. Failure to pay fines may result in sanctions until restitution is made, per Board policy JS, Student Fees, Fines and Charges.
- Second violation: The device will be confiscated and will result in the student’s loss of the privilege of possessing a cellular telephone or PED on school property for one (1) calendar year and a fine of $50.00 and a five (5) day suspension. Failure to pay fines may result in sanctions until restitution is made, per Board policy JS, Student Fees, Fines and Charges.
Third violation: The device will be confiscated, the student will lose the privilege of possessing a cellular telephone or PED on school property for one (1) calendar year, the student will be fined $50.00 and referred to the Student Tribunal. Failure to pay fines may result in sanctions until restitution is made, per Board policy JS, Student Fees, Fines and Charges.
- Photographing, audio recording or videotaping on Atlanta Public Schools property is not allowed at any time without the expressed, written consent of the students, staff members or other persons being photographed or recorded. Any violation will result in the device being confiscated and will result in the student’s loss of the privilege of possessing a cellular telephone or PED on school property for one (1) calendar year and a fine of $50.00.
6. Use of a cell phone during a test or quiz shall be considered a violation of the academic integrity policy. Any violation will result in the device being confiscated and will result in the student’s loss of the privilege of possessing a cellular telephone or PED on school property for one (1) calendar year, a fine of $50.00, and the student will receive a grade of zero (0) on the test or quiz.
- Violations are cumulative across the student’s school career in the Atlanta Public Schools. A transfer to another school does not entitle the student to a “fresh start.”
Elementary and Middle School Students
Students in elementary and middle school are not allowed to possess cellular telephones or other PEDs on any APS school site or on the school bus except for health or other special circumstances as approved on an individual basis by the school principal as described below. Middle and elementary school students who violate this policy will be disciplined in the same manner as a high school student whose parent has not completed a Parental Permission Form.
Students with Serious Medical Conditions or Other Unusual Circumstances
1. Students with serious medical conditions will be allowed to possess and use a cellular telephone or other PED that is determined by a licensed physician to be essential for the health of the student. Use of the device during the school day shall be restricted to the immediate health concerns of the student. The parent/legal guardian must complete the Parent Permission Form for Cellular Telephone/Personal Electronic Device, secure the physician’s signature and the principal’s signature before the student is allowed to carry an electronic communication device on school property.
2. Principals are authorized to give permission for a student to possess and use a cellular telephone or other PED under highly unusual circumstances. The parent/legal guardian must complete the Parent Permission Form for Cellular Telephone/Personal Electronic Device, identify the nature of the unusual circumstances, and secure the school principal’s written approval before the student is allowed to carry an electronic device on school property. Use of the device during the school day shall be restricted to the specific circumstances described on the Parent Permission Form.
3. Disputes regarding the medical necessity or special circumstances requiring the communication device will be referred in writing to the Executive Director of Student Programs and Services who will render a decision as to the appropriateness of the device in writing within ten (10) school days.
Appeals of decisions by the Executive Director of Student Programs and Services shall be heard by the Deputy Superintendent for Instruction. The decision of the Deputy Superintendent will be provided in writing within ten (10) calendar days and is final. No further appeals are permitted.