Cell Phone/Smartwatch Policy

• Cell phones and smartwatches may be used respectfully and responsibly before school and after school.

• Cell phones and smartwatches should not be used to capture video, audio, or images at school or on the bus.

• Cell phones and smartwatches should be set on silent mode and kept in backpacks, lockers, designated storage areas and should not be visible during school hours including instructional time, reward time, free time, lunch, and in the hallways.

• Use of cell phones and smartwatches may be permitted in extenuating circumstances with permission from a staff member. (ex. to notify parent/ guardian of a late bus)

Dear Collins Parents and Families,

The CISD board of trustees approved the PreK-6th grade Cell Phone/Smartwatch policy on Tuesday, October 17. The policy, as stated below, is nearly identical to the Collins Intermediate policy with the exception of Smartwatches.

PreK-6 th Grade Cell Phone/Smartwatch Policy

Approved by CISD School Board on 10-17-23

• Cell phones and smartwatches may be used respectfully and responsibly before school and after school.

• Cell phones and smartwatches should not be used to capture video, audio, or images at school or on the bus.

• Cell phones and smartwatches should be set on silent mode and kept in backpacks, lockers, or other designated storage areas and should not be visible during school hours including instructional time, reward time, free time, lunch, and in the hallways.

• Use of cell phones and smartwatches may be permitted in extenuating circumstances with permission from a staff member. (ex. to notify parent/ guardian of a late bus)

LC teachers have shared the approved policy with students. Teachers are reinforcing the policy October 27, 30, and 31. Starting on Wednesday, November 1, teachers will enforce the policy. Violations of the cell phone policy are extremely rare. Therefore, we do not believe this policy will be a change for our students. A few students have Smartwatches, but placing them in their backpack will not be a burden since they aren’t able to use them anyway. As with any situation, there may be a child monitoring medical data for diabetes, allowed to utilize an electronic device. These are all individual cases we will address as they arise.

If there is a violation, teachers will talk to the child and document the warning. If noncompliance of the cell phone/smartwatch policy continues, the teacher will reach out to parents and administration. Again, we doubt there will be frequent issues. Our Collins Cobras always do the RIGHT thing, and following this new policy will be easy for them.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

Shelli LeBlanc

Collins Intermediate Principal

• Cell phones and smartwatches will be turned off and placed in the student’s backpack at the beginning of each school day.

• A smart watch is anything that has more capability than just simply telling the time.

• Backpacks should be placed away from the student when possible (front of the room, behind the chair, etc).

• This practice will occur in every homeroom, without exception.

• After the campus has been taught the new rules/guidelines for cell phones and smartwatches, all students will fill out their acknowledgement of the rules/consequences. This will be kept by the homeroom teacher.

• This policy will also be added to the student handbook, as well as to the levels of misbehavior for Collins.

• All students and staff will be taught the new expectations during BRAG time on Friday, October 27th through a special broadcast of KCOL by Mrs. Rothe and Mrs. Kirbo

• Each morning a recorded announcement will play at the end of BRAG to remind students it is time to turn off and secure all phones and smartwatches in their backpacks.

• Signage will be posted on the front and back entrance doors, as well as outside classrooms. “Phone/Smartwatch Free Zone”

• If a phone or smartwatch is seen at ANY point during school hours the following will occur:
  

• The first time a student has a visible cell phone/smartwatch, a warning will be given to the student. The teacher will ensure that the device is turned off and secured in the backpack. The teacher will document this warning on a campus provided data tracker.

• The second time a student has a visible cell phone or smartwatch, the teacher will ensure the device is powered off and secured in the backpack. The teacher will call parents and complete/submit an Information Only Incident Referral through View-It to be emailed to parents.

• The third time a student has a visible cell phone or smartwatch, the teacher will take the device to the assistant principal (or other administrator) and complete/submit an Incident Referral. The teacher will also call the parents to inform them of the referral. Administration will hold the device until parents can come and pick it up (4:15-4:55 pm window)

• Students’ phones and smartwatches should remain in their backpacks and turned off until they have left the building.

• Car Riders - all phones and smartwatches should remain in backpacks until they are in their car.
  
• Biker/Walker - students should be at or past the bike racks before phones or smartwatches leave their backpacks.
• Bus riders/daycare - no phones or smartwatches should be present until they have gotten on the bus and are seated.
• No phones or smartwatches should be out/visible while walking or standing on the front porch.
• Students sitting in bus lines or waiting in the hallways should not have their phones or smart watches visible.
• LATE BUS students may only use their phones/watches if given explicit permission by the teachers/staff on duty.
• Bad weather days:
• An announcement will be made to allow students the opportunity to use their phones during these extenuating circumstances.
• Students may be permitted to carry their phone with them, if the device is needed for a medical purpose. Individual cases will be addressed as the need arises.

The Conroe Independent School District (District) as an equal opportunity educational provider and employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in educational programs or activities that it operates or in employment matters. The District is required by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Board policy not to discriminate in such a manner. For information about Title IX rights or Section 504/ADA rights, contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Section 504/ADA coordinator at 3205 W. Davis, Conroe, TX 77304; (936) 709-7752.