Kansas City Kansas School Board considers new cell phone, smart watch policy
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Students who attend school in the Kansas City Kansas School District may have new rules to follow when they return to classrooms this fall.
of the school board heard a proposed policy this week that addresses the usage of cell phones and other electronics during the school day.
This is how the new policy could impact students at different ages, if the district eventually approves the addition.
Right now the following information is part of a proposed policy, the board has not yet approved it.
Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School Students
Cell phones, smart watches and other personal electronic devices will be required to be stored in a student’s backpack or another area designated by s during the school day.
If students do not bring a backpack to school, and a designated area is not available, the devices must be left at home, according to the proposed policy.
Any cell phone or other device brought to school must be silenced, or silenced and placed in “school” mode or “do not disturb” mode during the school day.
The only time headphones or earpods may be used is with district-issued devices and with the permission of a teacher.
High School
All cell phones and other personal electronics must be stored in a student’s backpack or bag during instructional time. If a bag is not available, a secure storage location inside the classroom may be assigned by the teacher.
- Students are allowed to use personal devices during non-instructional time, lunch, and ing periods
- While in class, devices may only be used with teachers’ permission
- All personal devices must be silences and placed in “school” mode or “do not disturb” mode during the school day
The policy also states that during an emergency situation, any and all personal electronic devices are required to be placed in silent mode.
The proposal can be found below:
The school district referenced policies already in place in the Blue Valley School District and Shawnee Mission School District when creating the proposal. Those two districts implemented their own policies addressing cell phones and personal electronic devices last year.
Again, of the school board still need to finalize and approve the proposal during a future board meeting before it becomes a district policy.
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