Cell Phone Pouch Implementation Guidelines
1. Purpose
The Ohio Legislature Passed House Bill 250 requiring the implementation of policies and procedures governing cell phone usage during the school hours. Eliminating the utilization of cell phones during the school day will foster a respectful, and distraction-free learning environment. Note that students will have the ability to communicate outside the classroom at all times utilizing their one to one devices (i.e., chromebooks).
Emergency Communication
● In the event of a school-wide emergency, the district will notify parents via school messenger and as noted students will have the ability to communicate through their chromebooks via chat and email.
● In the event of a student emergency, students will have access to school phones and their cell phone in the Pupil Personnel/Attendance office.
● The previous district requirement that parents must contact the main office directly when attempting to reach their child will remain in place.
Medical Exceptions
Students requiring access to their phone for verified medical reasons must submit documentation from a medical doctor to the school office/nurse.
Student Expectations
● All students are required to secure their cell phones and smart devices (e.g., Apple Watch, earbuds) in a bag upon arrival and keep them sealed for the duration of the school day. The only electronic device permitted by students is a district device (i.e., chromebooks). iPads, headphones (i.e., Beats), etc. are not permitted and will have to be checked in upon arrival and held in the office if brought to school.
● Cell phones will remain with the student, in their cellphone pouch, but will not be accessible until the
end of the school day.
● The cellphone pouch is considered school property, however, each student will be responsible for and
required to bring their cellphone pouch to school daily. It must be kept in good working condition.
● Students are not permitted to tamper with, damage, or force open the cellphone pouch.
● Students that are found with a phone not in a cellphone pouch will face disciplinary consequences.
2. Daily Procedures
● Morning Arrival:
○ Students will enter designated entry points of the building where staff will oversee the securing of phones and smart devices in cellphone pouches. Students must power their phone off prior to placing it in the cell phone pouch.
○ Students are expected to keep their pouches sealed from arrival until dismissal.
○ Students arriving late must secure their cell phone pouches in the main office or designated
school location for arrival.
● Students without a Cell Phone Pouch
○ Students who do not have their cell phone pouch with them upon entering the building must give them to the building administration or designee for safekeeping until dismissal. The device will be logged and locked in the office. Students will have to report to the office or designated
location at the end of the day to pick up their device(s).
○ Repeated violations of not bringing the cell phone pouch may result in further disciplinary
consequences.
● End-of-Day/Dismissal:
○ Unlocking stations will be available at specific exits and supervised by staff.
○ Students should unlock pouches prior to leaving the building.
○ Students leaving early must unsecure their phone in the main office or designated school location.
● Late Arrivals / Early Dismissals:
○ Designated staff in the main office or designated location will handle pouch locking/unlocking
for these cases
● After School Activities
○ Students participating in after-school activities may unlock their pouches at dismissal and proceed to their after school activity/event/practice.
● Parent Communication
○ In case of an emergency, parents should contact the main office. Students will not have access to their phones during the school day.
3. Consequences for Non-Compliance (phone out of cell phone pouch)
● Students who have a phone outside of their cell phone pouch will automatically receive a referral and 1 day of In School Suspension (ISS). When the student arrives in the office with the referral, the
administrator will confiscate the phone, log it, and the student can pick it up at the end of the school
day. ISS will be served the following school day. If the student refuses to comply with the
administration and surrender the phone, additional disciplinary action will be taken.
4. Lost or Damaged Pouches
● Students are responsible for the care and maintenance of their cell phone pouch.
● Lost or damaged pouches must be replaced. The replacement fee is $ 30.
● Cell phone pouches are considered school property and students will be responsible for unnecessary
damage such as deep scratches, intentional pen marks, bent locking pin, and locking pin and button
not fully recessing due to pin damage.
By implementing the cell phone pouches, we are reinforcing our commitment to engaged learning,
personal connection, and student well-being. These guidelines ensure clarity, consistency, and fairness as we transition to a phone-free environment that benefits all students.