CELL PHONE PROTOCOL AND PENALTIES FOR USE BY STUDENTS

Cell phones and other portable communication devices (iPhones^®, iPods^®, etc.) may be brought to school only with written parental permission and only for students in Grades 4-8. Permission must be renewed each academic year. The parent's signature on the Agreement Form (found in the back of this Handbook) indicates both the parent's and the student's understanding and agreement to abide by this rule, and all other rules pertaining to this privilege. In addition, the parent's signature signifies your agreement and understanding of all applicable rules and penalties outlined below pertaining to possession of portable communication devices by SPBS students during school hours and/or at school-sponsored events.
NOTE: No personal iPads are allowed at SPBS for use by students at SPBS.

All personal portable communication devices (including Smart Watches) brought to school by a student must be turned “OFF" and stored in a backpack or book bag (Grades 4-5), or locker (Grades 6-8), or other approved place where the device is not on the student's person while on campus during school hours – INCLUDING SPBS EXTENDED CARE. Please also review the Handbookpenalties below for miss-use of a portable communication device by an SPBS student with your child, and be sure they are clear. 
 
Students may not take photos/videos with their portable communication devices or during school hours (including school issued devices); students may not post photos/videos online or text or send/receive online messages from portable communication devices during school hours (including school issued devices).

If a student is found to have a personal portable communication device on their person during school hours, it will be confiscated by school personnel, and a Referral will be issued. The student's parent must then request an appointment with that staff member to retrieve the device. If a student is found to have used a portable communication device to cheat on a test, or help another student to do so, all students involved will be counseled by the school administration; a Detention will be issued to students found to have been involved; and parents will be contacted to retrieve the communication device(s).

If the student is found to have used the device in an inappropriate way during school hours or during any school-sponsored event (including SPBS Home Games), as determined by the administration, the student will be disciplined according to the school's discretion. Repeat violations of these policies outlined above may result in disciplinary measures appropriate to the circumstances, including suspension and expulsion if warranted.

Any student found to have a portable communication device on campus without a current signed parent permission form will be subject to discipline by the school.

SPBS is NOT responsible for lost, misplaced, stolen, broken student portable communication devices or for any unauthorized use of such devices. The school will NOT pay to replace devices that are lost, misplaced, or stolen after they are confiscated by staff for miss-use and will NOT pay for communications charges at any time. 

NOTE: SPBS is NOT responsible for any inappropriate texting/messaging by students in or out of school.  Issues regarding messaging/posting using personal devices outside of school should be handled between the parents of the students involved.

 
SPBS students CAN be held accountable for their behavior both inside and/or outside of school that is detrimental to the reputation of SPBS, such as texting/messaging/posting online photos, as determined by the principal. SPBS views the inappropriate use of portable communication devices as a serious matter, and will work in collaboration with the student's parents to remedy the situation, and help instill better decision-making in the student.​

KINDLE/NOOK ELECTRONIC BOOK USE AT SCHOOL

Electronic books, such as Kindle and Nook, may be brought to school and used only with written parental permission for students in Grades 1-8, and may only be used to read books while at SPBS. The parent's signature on the form found in the back of this Handbook indicates both the parents' and the student's understanding of the rules below, and agreement to abide by them. 
 
Any student discovered to be using the reading device for any other activity other than reading a book will have the device taken away by an SPBS staff member. The parent will then need to retrieve the device from the staff member who confiscated it from the student. In addition, the student may receive disciplinary action for miss-use of the device. Kindles and Nooks are to be used exactly as a book would be used while at SPBS. 

SPBS is NOT responsible for lost, misplaced, stolen, or broken electronic books brought to SPBSor for any unauthorized use of such devices. The school will NOT pay to replace devices that are lost, misplaced, or stolen after they are confiscated by a staff member for miss-use. 

Written parental permission for use of electronic books by students at SPBS must be renewed each academic year.
SPBS is not responsible for any inappropriate use of electronic books by students while at SPBS. ​