Announcements for Parents
New State Cell Phone Policy for Schools
The State of South Carolina Board of Education adopted a model policy prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during the school day on September 3, 2024. This new policy will be effective January 2025. This will be a huge adjustment for not only our students, but also for our parents. The proviso reads as follows:
Proviso 1.103 in the General Appropriations Bill, H.5100 of 2024: To receive state funds allocated for State Aid to Classrooms, a school district shall implement a policy adopted by the State Board of Education that prohibits access to personal electronic communication devices by students during the school day. For purposes of this provision, a personal electronic communication device is considered to be a device not authorized for classroom use by a student, utilized to access the Internet, wi-fi, or cellular telephone signals.
Starting January 2025, students will not be allowed to have cell phones powered on in the building during any part of the instructional day. This includes lunch time and at the change of classes. Cell phones will have to be powered off and placed in their book bags until the day has ended. Headphones and ear buds will also be prohibited. The best option is to leave cell phones and other electronic devices at home, if possible. I know this will be a huge adjustment for everyone. Parents, I am asking for your support with the implementation of this policy. Please assist us in this very challenging task of eliminating the distraction of cell phones during the day. If you need to message your student, please call the office and we will make sure they get the message. I do not want the cell phone policy to become a point of contention between our school and our families. If your student is caught with their phone or any other electronic device out, the phone and/or device will be taken, turned into the office and the student may pick it up at the end of the day. Multiple phone/electronic offenses will result in school discipline including ISS and OSS. Please have a discussion with your student as we must implement this policy.
Thank you in advance for your support as we navigate this new policy. We humbly ask that you partner with us so our students are “Free to Focus” on their education as we eliminate this huge distraction and source of drama in our school.
W. Kevin Mabe, Principal
New Heights Middle School
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