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Cell Phone Policy

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Summerwind Trails 

Cell Phone Use Policy

 2022-23 School Year


Dear Parents and Guardians,


At Summerwind Trails TK-8 our goal is for all our students to be prepared socially and academically for high school and ultimately be College and Career Ready by the time they graduate. 


One of the biggest challenges that keep our students from being engaged is the use of cell phones during the school day. Unfortunately, our students get distracted easily with cell phones in their hands and pockets. Below are a few examples of this past year’s distractions with cell phone use…

  • Distracted by looking at their phone during instruction and class time
  • Students making audio recordings of test reviews and listening to them while taking a test
  • Students using phones and taking pictures while in locker rooms and bathrooms
  • Pictures being taken of other students in the classroom and around campus without permission and posted to social media
  • Making videos at school and posting on social media platforms
  • Engaging in cyberbullying against other students and staff while on campus
  • Students answering calls and texting while in class
  • Not engaging with the classroom instruction due to the distraction of their phones and other students’ phones out during instructional time

In an effort to create an optimal learning environment, keep our students engaged, and minimize distractions, interruptions, and disruptions caused by the use of cell phones in school, we are enforcing the cell phone policy for the 2022-23 school year (See Board Policy 5131(c)(d) also noted below). We are asking our families to please get familiarized with the following policy as we make this transition.

  1. Cell phones and earbuds/AirPods will only be permitted before and after school outside the gate. Cell phones and AirPods must be turned off and out of sight (in backpacks) during school hours, including lunch. 
  2. If you need to contact your student please contact the Summerwind office at (951) 542-1950 and we will pass on the message. 
  3. If your student needs to contact you they will be directed to the office where there will be a phone designated for student use. 


Consequences of not adhering to the policy


 1st offense:  Confiscated - student pick-up in office after school

2nd offense: Confiscated - student pick-up in office after school

3rd offense: Confiscated - parent pick-up in office after school

4th and up: Confiscated - parent pick-up and the student may be ineligible for school-wide activities 

We strongly encourage families to make plans with their children prior to the beginning of the school day for after-school plans.We understand this will be an adjustment, especially if your student engages their phone often during the school day. This policy is being implemented across all Beaumont USD middle schools. Our purpose is to create a productive learning environment for students that is free from distractions. We truly believe this policy is in the best interest of our students and educational programs. 

We thank you in advance for your continued support. If you have questions or concerns please reach out to us.

Thank You, 

Mrs. Callie Beitler

Principal, Summerwind Trails TK-8

                                                                                                                     

 Board Policy 5131 c/d

Possession of Personal Electronic Devices

 No student shall be prohibited from possessing or using an electronic signaling device that is determined by a licensed physician or surgeon to be essential for the student's health and the use of which is limited to health-related purposes. (Education Code 48901.5)

 Electronic devices include any devices powered by batteries, electricity, solar power, etc. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, devices which utilize computer applications, play/record music, or record and/or send words, text and/or pictures.

 Students may possess wireless electronic devices, while at school under the following conditions: 

  1. Electronic devices shall not disrupt the educational program or school activity.
  2. If a disruption occurs, the employee will direct the student to turn off the device and may confiscate the device until the end of the school day or activity. Campus security personnel will log its receipt, label the device with the student's name and the date it was received, and store it in a locked location. 
  3. Confiscated devices will not be returned to students, but will be returned to parents or other adults designated by the parents in writing. A confiscated device that has not been claimed within 60 calendar days will be sent to an electronics recycler, and the proceeds will benefit the school. It is the student's responsibility to notify parent(s) that the device has been confiscated.
  4. Maintenance of personal devices is the sole responsibility of student/parent.
  5. The school and/or District are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices. District resources and personnel are not expected to be used to investigate lost, stolen, or damaged devices, including devices stolen while in the possession of school employees. However, administration retains the right to investigate at its discretion.
  6. Disciplinary action, including suspension, may be taken against students who violate this policy or who take other students' property.

 Any device with camera, video, or voice recording function shall not be used in any manner which infringes on the privacy rights of any other person. When a student uses any prohibited device, or uses a permitted device in any unethical or illegal activity, a District employee may confiscate the device. The employee shall store the item in a secure manner until an appropriate time. When a school official suspects that a search of a students or his/her belongings will turn up evidence of the student's violation of the law or school rules, such a search shall be conducted in accordance with BP/AR 5145.12 - Search and Seizure.