The Quincy School
Committee will vote on establishing Policy 9.15
at the January 11, 2023 Regular Meeting. Please submit
comments about the proposed policy to School Committee Clerk
Laura Owens at: [email protected]
Quincy Public Schools Student Personal Electronic Device Policy
The use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the school day negatively impacts student engagement with learning activities and is often a source of disciplinary interventions. This Quincy Public Schools Student Electronic Device Policy is intended to remove this source of distraction by eliminating the use of personal electronic devices (including, but not limited to, cell phones, tablets, smart watches, earbuds, and headphones) during academic instructional time. All Quincy Public Schools students in Grades 4-12 have been issued a Chromebook to be used during instructional time when online access is required.
Therefore, for high school students:
- Cell phones and other personal electronic devices may not be used for any purpose during classes, but are allowed during study or lunch periods and while passing between classes.
- All cell phones and personal electronic devices must be turned off (not simply on silent or vibrate mode) during class time.
- Cell phones and other personal electronic devices should be put away and not be visible during class time.Staff members may request to have students place their device in a designated storage location within the classroom.
- Exceptions to this Policy may be made by the Principal or designee and by individual teachers to accommodate a student’s IEP or 504 plan.
For elementary and middle school students, cell phones and other personal electronic devices should be turned off and safely secured in a locker or backpack during the school day.
DISCIPLINE
Students who do not comply with the terms of the Policy will be subject to progressive discipline as follows:
- First offense: The student will be required to turn over their personal electronic device(s) in the main office. The device(s) will be returned to the student at the end of the school day.
- Second offense: The student will be required to turn over their personal electronic device(s) in the main office. The student’s parent/guardian will be called and the device(s) will be returned to parent/guardian.
- Third offense: Same as the second offense above. In addition, the student will be prohibited from bringing any personal electronic devices to school for the remainder of the school year.
- Students committing repeated violations of this policy may be subject to additional disciplinary actions, consistent with the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook.