When Texas House Bill 1481 was passed this legislative session, it required schools to ban personal telecommunication devices on school property. This week, Plano Independent School District (Plano ISD) added a page to the district’s website detailing their updated policy on cell phone usage.
What are the rules?
According to the page, students will be required to turn off and put into personal baggage any cell phones, tablets, non-district issued laptops, smartwatches, smart glasses, wireless headphones and earbuds and other wearable telecommunication devices.
The district noted that the rule applies to the entirety of a student’s time in the school building and during the school day — whether in the bathroom, hallways, classrooms, passing times, before or after the school day.
What are the consequences?
Administration will enforce the new rule with four-tiered consequences. The first offense provides a warning, reinforced expectations and parent/guardian notification. The second offense results in the device being confiscated, parent/guardian notification and one day of in-school suspension. The third offense escalates to confiscation and three days of in-school suspension, along with a requirement for the student to check in their devices each morning. A fourth offense results in the student being sent to District Alternative Education Program (DAEP).
What is Plano ISD asking of parents?
- Contact the front office of your child’s campus rather than your child’s personal device in case of an emergency
- Discuss the new law with your child
- Update emergency contacts in Skyward
- If possible, print out a hard copy of your student’s schedule if they are in primary school. Otherwise, they will receive one on the first day.
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