APS/Bunche Middle School Cell Phone Policy

Only high school students may possess a mobile/cellular telephone at school or on a school bus. The use of mobile telephones or personal electronic devices (PEDs) is prohibited at all times during the instructional day, including but not limited to lunch breaks, class changes, study halls and bus rides. Devices must be turned off and out of sight. Only when a student is directed by an APS employee or other school official in an emergency situation may he or she use a mobile telephone or PED during the instructional day or on the school bus.

All staff members have the right to confiscate mobile telephones or PEDs used in violation of this policy. For a detailed description of disciplinary consequences of cellular telephone or PED usage, see administrative regulation JCDAF-R, Use of Electronic Devices by Students.

Elementary and Middle School Students (JCDAF-R)

Students in elementary and middle school are not allowed to possess cellular telephones or other PEDs on any APS school site or on the school bus except for health or other special circumstances as approved on an individual basis by the school principal as described below. Middle and elementary school students who violate this policy will be disciplined in the same manner as a high school student whose parent has not completed a Parental Permission Form.

  Students with Serious Medical Conditions or Other Unusual Circumstances

1.      Students with serious medical conditions will be allowed to possess and use a cellular telephone or other PED that is determined by a licensed physician to be essential for the health of the student. Use of the device during the school day shall be restricted to the immediate health concerns of the student. The parent/legal guardian must complete the Parent Permission Form for Cellular Telephone/Personal Electronic Device, secure the physician’s signature and the principal’s signature before the student is allowed to carry an electronic communication device on school property.

2.      Principals are authorized to give permission for a student to possess and use a cellular telephone or other PED under highly unusual circumstances. The parent/legal guardian must complete the Parent Permission Form for Cellular Telephone/Personal Electronic Device, identify the nature of the unusual circumstances, and secure the school principal’s written approval before the student is allowed to carry an electronic device on school property. Use of the device during the school day shall be restricted to the specific circumstances described on the Parent Permission Form.

3.      Disputes regarding the medical necessity or special circumstances requiring the communication device will be referred in writing to the Executive Director of Student Programs and Services who will render a decision as to the appropriateness of the device in writing within ten (10) school days.

Appeals of decisions by the Executive Director of Student Programs and Services shall be heard by the Deputy Superintendent for Instruction. The decision of the Deputy Superintendent will be provided in writing within ten (10) calendar days and is final. No further appeals are permitted.