Dear Families:
As the start of the 2026-27 school year gets closer, we wanted to make sure everyone was informed as to the new electronic device rules adopted for the 2026-27 school year, in accordance with state law.
For students in TK-5:
SmartPhone/Cell Phone: students are prohibited from having phones on their person during school hours.
Smartwatches: Allowed for all students provided they are not a distraction, nuisance or make noise. Watches should be in "school mode" to limit temptation and distraction. lf watches are a nuisance or a distraction they are subject to penalty
EarBuds/Ear Phones/AirPods: Not allowed during school hours.
For students in 6-8:
SmartPhone/Cell Phone: 6-8 students may have them in a backpack, turned off, but may not access them during school hours unless instructed to do so by a teacher or staff member for a legitimate educational purpose.
Smartwatches: Allowed for all students provided they are not a distraction, nuisance or make noise. Watches should be in "school mode" to limit temptation and distraction. lf watches are a nuisance or a distraction they are subject to penalty
EarBuds/Ear Phones/AirPods: Not allowed during school hours.
For students in 9-12:
SmartPhone/Cell Phone: Students must place phones in designated holders in classrooms and they must be turned off during all class and instructional time, unless otherwise instructed by a teacher. Students may access them during lunch and break. If a phone is seen or heard during a prohibited time or is a nuisance, it is subject to penalty.
Smartwatches: Allowed for all students provided they are not a distraction, nuisance or make noise. Watches should be in "school mode" to limit temptation and distraction. lf watches are a nuisance or a distraction they are subject to penalty
EarBuds/Ear Phones/AirPods: Allowed in class at teacher discretion for legitimate educational purposes and during lunch, break and passing periods.
Students who do not follow the rules will be subject to progressive discipline, as shown on the discipline matrix.
Discipline Matrix for Electronic Devices:
Violation |
First Offense |
Second Offense |
Third Offense |
Continued Violation |
|
SmartPhone/Cell Phone (TK-8)
TK-5 students are prohibited from having phones on their person during school hours.
6-8 students may have them in a backpack, turned off, but may not access them during school hours unless instructed to do so by a teacher or staff member for a legitimate educational purpose.
|
Confiscation
Student pick up in office at end of day
|
Confiscation
Parent pickup in office at the end of the day
Conference (at site discretion)
|
In-school confiscation daily for 7 days or phone kept at home
Parent pickup in the office at the end of the day
Conference (at site discretion)
|
In-school confiscation for the rest of the semester (or kept at home)
Parent pickup in the office
Conference with potential additional penalties such as detention or Saturday school (at site discretion)
|
|
SmartPhone/Cell Phone (9-12)
Students must place phones in designated holders in classrooms and they must be turned off during all class and instructional time, unless otherwise instructed by a teacher. Students may access them during lunch and break. If a phone is seen or heard during a prohibited time or is a nuisance, it is subject to the following penalties.
|
Confiscation
Student pick up in office at end of day
|
Confiscation
Parent pickup in office at the end of the day
|
In-school confiscation daily for 7 days or phone kept at home
Parent pickup in the office at the end of the day
Conference with potential additional penalties such as detention or Saturday school (at site discretion)
|
In-school confiscation for the rest of the semester (or kept at home)
Parent pickup in the office
Conference with potential additional penalties such as detention or Saturday school (at site discretion)
|
|
Smartwatches
Allowed for all students provided they are not a distraction, nuisance or make noise. Watches should be in “school mode” to limit temptation and distraction. If watches are a nuisance or a distraction they are subject to the following penalties.
|
Confiscation by staff for period of use (class time, lunch, break, recess, etc.)
Returned at end of period of use.
|
Confiscation by staff for remainder of day OR placement in backpack
Parent pickup in office at the end of the day
Conference (at site discretion)
|
In-school confiscation daily for 7 days OR placement in backpack for 7 days with confiscation if spotted
Parent pickup in the office at the end of the day
Conference with potential additional penalties such as detention or Saturday school (at site discretion)
|
In-school confiscation for the rest of the semester or kept at home
Parent pickup daily in the office
Conference with potential additional penalties such as detention or Saturday school (at site discretion)
|
|
EarBuds/Ear Phones/AirPods
(TK-8)
Not allowed during school hours, subject to the following penalties.
|
Confiscation
Student pick up in office at end of day
|
Confiscation
Parent pickup in office at the end of the day
Conference (at site discretion)
|
In-school confiscation daily for 7 days or kept at home
Parent pickup in the office at the end of the day
Conference (at site discretion)
|
In-school confiscation for the rest of the semester (or kept at home)
Parent pickup daily in the office
Conference with potential additional penalties such as detention or Saturday school (at site discretion)
|
|
EarBuds/Ear Phones/AirPods
(9-12)
Only allowed in class at teacher discretion for legitimate educational purposes or during lunch, break and passing periods. They should not be a distraction. Improper use is subject to the following penalties.
|
Confiscation
Student pick up in office at end of day
|
Confiscation
Parent pickup in office at the end of the day
Conference (at site discretion)
|
In-school confiscation daily for 7 days or kept at home
Parent pickup in the office at the end of the day
Conference (at site discretion)
|
In-school confiscation for the rest of the semester (or kept at home)
Parent pickup daily in the office
Conference with potential additional penalties such as detention or Saturday school (at site discretion)
|
A few additional pieces of information:
A student shall not be prohibited from possessing or using a mobile communication device under any of the following circumstances:
In the case of an emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger
When a teacher or administrator grants permission to the student to possess or use a mobile communication device, subject to any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher or administrator
When a licensed physician or surgeon determines that the possession or use is necessary for the student's health and well-being
When the possession or use is required by the student's individualized education program
We hope you are having a wonderful summer, and we can’t wait to see you in August!’
Your WUSD Team
