Princeton Elementary School District is continuing our current cell phone procedures; the middle school (PCMS) is implementing new procedures;  and the high school and Innovation Center implemented new procedures last year and will continue with the same plan.

Princeton Elementary Schools

To support school environments in which students can fully engage with their classmates, their teachers, and their instruction, the Board of Education of Princeton City Schools has determined that the use of cell phones by elementary students during school hours should be limited. 

The objective of this policy is to strengthen Princeton's focus on learning, which is in alignment with our mission to ignite students’ passion for learning, cultivate a strong foundation of knowledge, and foster a sense of community within our schools.

Research shows that student use of cell phones in schools has negative effects on student performance and mental health.  Cell phones distract students from classroom instruction, resulting in smaller learning gains and lower test scores.  Increased cell phone use has led to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders in children.

Princeton Community Middle School - new procedures: 

Our cell phone procedures align with Ohio State House Bill 250. PCMS cell phone procedures prohibit students from using cell phones, smartwatches, and iPads/tablets on school property during school hours. This includes hallways, the cafeteria, and the restroom.  The procedure also requires students to keep their cellphones in a “secure place like their backpack, sling bag, or purse.” Our cell phone discipline hierarchy for students who do not follow cell phone procedures

• One warning per class per semester → after school detention → referral

• If a student on an eHallPass is seen with a phone, the current eHallPass will be revoked, the student will be returned to class, and the student will be given an after-school detention.

Students who do not follow school procedures for cell phones violate the student code of conduct 1.08 Unauthorized use of wireless communication devices or electronic devices/non-instructional items.

Please find guidance given from: 

State Leaders Announce Model Policy for Cell Phones in Schools

Ohio Model Policy

We are asking parents and families to review and discuss strategies with your students to make sure they are compliant with our cell phone procedures.  Should there be a medical reason/IEP for an exception, proper medical documentation is required, and a plan is developed with our school nurse. If parents need to communicate with their student due to family situations that require updating, you should reach out to your grade-level counselor to develop a communication plan.  The fewer distractions students have from the learning environment, the better. 

Princeton High School:

Universal Classroom Cell Phone Protocol

• Make Cell Phone Turn-in and Pick-up part of the Daily Agenda.

• Assign holder # to each Student

• Notifications and Flashes need to be turned off

• Set procedure for cell phone pick-up at the end of instruction

  • This should include a reminder with five minutes left in class

• If students take out their phones when they say that they don’t have them, they are failing to follow a reasonable request. Then, staff should follow the hierarchy for consequences.

• Students who don’t follow the Universal Cell Phone Expectations and have their phones in the hallway will be returned to class.

  
  

Innovation Center

At the Innovation Center, we follow the guidance of the handbook. Students are not allowed to use cell phones in class without the teachers' permission. All cell phones are to be put away, out of sight (either pocket or backpack), unless otherwise given permission during class time. Violations fall under the Student Code of Conduct 1.08 in the handbook, with violations leading to escalating consequences.

PCSD Student Handbook states:

TELEPHONES Students may not be called to answer the phone during school hours, but in serious emergencies, messages or requests to call back may be left with the student’s main office or the attendance office. Such messages will be delivered to the student at the close of the period or at the earliest convenient time.

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES Possession of wireless communication devices (PCD) or electronic devices (ED) by a student is a privilege that may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of this guideline or otherwise engages in misuse of this privilege. Strict adherence to this guideline is required. A “personal communication device” is a device that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, or otherwise summons or delivers a communication to the possessor. The following devices are examples of PCDs: cellular and wireless telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), Smartphones, and iPods/iPads. Wi-Fi-enabled or broadband access devices, two-way radios or video broadcasting devices, laptops, and other devices that allow a person to record and/or transmit, on either a real-time or delayed basis, sound, video, or still images, text, or other information. An “electronic device” is a device that operates on electrical power (battery or outlet) and can store, organize, and play audio and/or video files or an electronic or computerized game played by manipulating images on a video display. The following are examples of electronics or toys: cameras (photographic and/or video), laptops, iPods/iPads, personal digital assistants (PDAs), lasers, laser pens or pointers, radios, “boom–boxes,” headphones/earbuds, portable CD/MP3 players, portable TV’s, devices designed to capture the schools or another student’s password or personal information. Students may use PCDs or EDs at school as long as they do not create a distraction or disruption or otherwise interfere with the educational environment. “Using” refers to not only the making and/or receiving of calls but also using the PCD or ED for any other purpose (e.g. sending, emails, text messages or instant messages, taking pictures, making recordings/videos, etc.). Students also may not use PCDs or EDs on school property or at a school-sponsored activity to access and/or view Internet Web sites that are otherwise blocked to students at school. Students may listen to music using their ED during their lunch bell with the aid of earphones/ earbuds as long as it does not create a disturbance or disruption or otherwise interfere with the cafeteria rules and regulations. Students may use PCDs or EDs while riding to and from school on a school bus or other vehicle provided by the Board of Education or on a school bus or Board-provided vehicle during school-sponsored activities at the discretion of the bus driver and/or sponsor/advisor/coach. Distracting behavior that creates an unsafe environment will not be tolerated. PCDs or EDs, including but not limited to devices with cameras, may not be possessed, activated, or utilized at any time in any school situation where a reasonable expectation of personal privacy exists. These locations and circumstances include but are not limited to classrooms, locker rooms, shower facilities, bathrooms, swimming pool, and any other areas where students or others may change clothes or be in any stage or degree of disrobing or changing clothes, whether here or at another school district where a school activity or athletic event is occurring. The building principal has the authority to make determinations as to other specific locations and situations where possession of a PCD or ED is absolutely prohibited. Students are prohibited from using PCDs or EDs to capture, record, or transmit the words (i.e., audio) and/or images (i.e., pictures/video) of any student, staff member, or other people in the school or while attending a school-related activity, without express prior notice and explicit consent for the capture, recording or transmission of such words or images. Using a PCD to take or transmit audio and/or pictures/video of an individual without his/her consent is considered an invasion of privacy and is not permitted. Students participating in extracurricular activities and athletics must contact their coach or sponsor for his/her rules involving PCD or ED use after school hours or on after-school bus trips. Coaches and sponsors will set their rules and enforce consequences involving the use and/or misuse of these devices. The Board of Education is not responsible for the loss, theft, damage, or vandalism of student PCDs or EDs as well as other student property. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to take appropriate precautions if students have PCDs in their possession to make sure the PCDs or EDs are not left unattended or unsecured. Using a PCD or ED in an unauthorized manner or violation of the policy may result in loss of this privilege, additional disciplinary action (e.g., warnings, parental notification and conferences, suspension, expulsion), confiscation of PCD or ED (in which case, the PCD or ED will only be released/returned to the student’s parent/guardian after the student complies with any other disciplinary consequence that is imposed), and/or referral to law enforcement if the violation involves an illegal activity (e.g., child pornography, sexting). Only authorized personnel (administrator, building security team, or school resource officer) may confiscate the PCD or ED. Confiscated devices will not be searched or otherwise tampered with the exception of exceptional circumstances (i.e., school officials reasonably suspect that the search is required to discover evidence of a violation of law or other school rules). Any search undertaken by school officials will be conducted in accordance with the procedures of the Search and Seizure Policy. If multiple offenses occur, a student may lose his/her privilege to bring a PCD or ED to school for a designated length of time or on a permanent basis. Parents/guardians are advised on the best way to get in touch with their child during school.