Cell Phone & Electronics Policy
Harding Middle School Cell Phone & Electronics Policy
Technology is a part of our world, both at home and school. At Des Moines Public Schools, we are fortunate to have a computer for each student which allows us to address the educational needs of our students.
While we recognize that cell phones are a part of our everyday lives, they are not a necessary requirement to meet curricular outcomes. In fact, cell phones are often a distraction to our students’ ability to engage in their learning. Studies have shown a connection between the decline of adolescent’s mental health and use of cell phones and social media (Haidt, 2024). To maintain an optimal learning environment for all students and to ensure safety and limit distractions, we request your support as we curtail the student use of cell phones and other personal devices at Harding Middle School.
Cell phones may be used before school and after school. During the school day, cell phones should be kept in the student’s pocket, locker, or backpack.
In the case of a family emergency, the office staff will give your child a message or have them return your call. Health concerns can be addressed using the telephone in the nurse’s office. We expect all students to comply with this policy to support learning and we will do our best to help our children understand the need for this policy. Thank you in advance for your partnership with our middle schools and your continued support to provide a safe and productive learning environment that limits distractions for all students.
Cell Phone and Other Personal Devices General Understanding:
- Cell phones, ear buds and other personal devices must remain off and in the student’s pocket, locker, or book bag while at school.
- Students contacting parents: Students will ask teachers before they contact parents when they are ill, upset or require something. Teachers will assist students in contacting home through the classroom or office phone. Upon request, private space will be provided for students in the office.
- Any device will be used responsibly. When usage is inappropriate, there will be consequences such as temporary confiscation of a personal device, communication with parents, and/or inaccessibility to technology for learning. Digital citizenship is important. “Doing the right thing online” is expected.
- All cell phones must be charged at home and ready to go. Care of the devices remains in the hands of the student, and the school takes no responsibility for repair or replacement of personal devices if they are damaged/lost or stolen by the students or while in possession by the school.
| If | Then |
| Phone/electronics is out or heard for 1st time in classroom without permission | The teacher will give a warning to the student and remind the student to silence and put the phone/electronic device in backpack or pocket. |
| 2nd time phone/electronics is out or heard in the classroom without permission | Teacher will call student services to remove the phone/electronic device for the remainder of the school day. The phone/electronic device will be taken to the office safe and will be locked up. The student can get the phone at the end of the school day. |
*Further and on-going violations of the cell phone and electronics policy may result in a parent/guardian having to pick up the students’ phone or electronics, meetings with behavior strategist and/or administration, and a student cell phone or electronics contract.
Haidt, J. (2024). The Anxious Generation. Penguin.