- Students
Cell Phone/Electronics Policy
Effective January 8, 2025
The recently passed Phone-Free Schools Act requires that all schools implement policies that “limit or prohibit the use by its pupils of smartphones while pupils are at a school site or while the pupils are under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district.” The passage of this law was driven by research noting the distractions that electronics cause during instructional time, as well as the negative impacts of prolonged cell phone use by teens. With those things in mind, we have updated our electronics policy and the related consequences.
Ponderosa students may use cell phones and electronics on campus during lunch, nutrition break, passing periods, and before and after school. Students are expected to have cell phones and other electronics turned off and put away during class time, including Flex Time. Some teachers may require students to store phones in a caddy or lock box at the beginning of the class period. In classrooms where a storage method is not being utilized, students should store their phones in their backpacks. Other electronic devices including smart watches, airpods, headphones, tablets, etc., must also be stored during class time. In unique situations where a classroom Chromebook is not suitable, a teacher may authorize students to use their phones during class time for instructional purposes. If your student has an accommodation for the use of an electronic device to monitor a health condition or another diagnosed condition, they will still be able to use their device as prescribed for their condition.
QR Code access via a smartphone will no longer be used for students to check out of class to the restroom. Most classrooms will have a Chromebook kiosk for students to check out to the restroom. When a student leaves the classroom for the restroom, library, etc., their phone and other devices should remain put away in the classroom. Students found using an electronic device outside the classroom during class time will receive the same consequences as if they were found using the device in the classroom.
When a student is found to be using an electronic device during instructional time, the following procedures will be followed:
- 1st Offense: The electronic device will be delivered to the office to be securely stored for the remainder of the school day, and the teacher will contact the parent/guardian via phone or email.
- 2nd Offense: The electronic device will be delivered to the office to be securely stored for the remainder of the school day. Two detentions will be assigned. The dean or an assistant principal will meet with the student and contact the parent/guardian via phone.
- 3rd and subsequent offenses: The electronic device will be delivered to the office to be securely stored for the remainder of the school day. The student will be required to turn in their phone to the office at the beginning of each of at least the next three school days, to be returned at the end of the student’s school day. Saturday School will be assigned. The dean or an assistant principal will arrange a conference with the parent to put a plan in place to assist the student in following the electronics policy.
Per board policy, the school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged electronics that students bring to campus. You may read the entire board policy on mobile communication devices HERE.
The links below provide information for parents regarding managing your student’s cell phone use, as well as products that may assist you in doing so. No particular products or apps are endorsed by Ponderosa High School or the El Dorado Union High School District.
We understand that parents regularly contact their student during the school day. Should you need to contact your student due to an emergency situation that cannot wait until the end of the class period, please contact the office so we can assist you. Questions regarding the cell phone/electronics policy can be addressed with Sarah Shintaku, Dean of Students, or your student's Assistant Principal as noted HERE. Than you for your support.