1 – A student may possess a cell phone/paging device in school, on school property, at after school activities, and at school related functions, provided that during school hours* and on a school bus* the cell phone/paging device remains off and out of sight.  .  When directed by a staff member during a school crisis/emergency or even at an after school event cell phones/pagers must be turned off. A student possessing a cell phone/paging device shall assume responsibility for its care.  At no time will the Vigo County School Corporation be responsible for preventing theft, loss, or damage to cell phones/paging devices brought onto its property. 

*Cell phones/pagers are not to be used on the school bus on regular routes and/or from the time a student enters the building upon arrival at school for the start of their school day until the end of the school day dismissal bell.

Guidelines for all VCSC middle/high school students - Students who are in violation of point number one (1) above will be required to give the entire phone (battery, sim card, etc) to the school authority making the demand. Search of cell phone contents will only occur under legal guidelines of “reasonable suspicion” of a secondary violation. Persons bringing a cell phone or electronic device to school or a school event are under the above “implied consent” agreement. This would apply to parents or legal guardians of those who are under age 18 as well as those over the age of 18.

 First Offense**-on the first offense have the cell phone/pager confiscated     The phone will be made available to the parent at the end of the day and the student will be given a detention

Second Offense**-on the second offense have the cell phone/pager confiscated – the student will be directed not to have such device on a school bus or in school during the school day for the remainder of the school year – parent/guardian may be contacted to pick up the cell phone/pager. The cell phone will be made available to the parent for pick up. The student will be given an extended day and/ or an in-school detention.

Additional consequences will be assessed for continued violation in accordance with student rights and responsibilities (suspension and expulsion may be recommended).

As with dealing with any violation of Corporation or school rules the significance of the violation and the student’s prior disciplinary record may impact the level of disciplinary
action the school finds appropriate to impose.

**These offenses will be dealt with by the principal or designee.

Rule XXIV of the Student-Parent Guide is modified to state that a student may be expelled or
suspended for “inappropriate/unlawful use of a cell phone/paging device”.

If you have any questions about this policy please contact the school office.

Effective for the 2008-09 school year and thereafter unless revised.