Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones and headphones continue to be major distractions at school, both in the classroom and in the social environment. In addition, the use of any type of headphones (wired or wireless) can prevent students from hearing important safety information, emergency instructions, campus announcements, and directions from school staff.

HB 1481 mandates that students are not allowed to use personal communication devices during the school day while on school property. School-issued laptops, devices being used under teacher supervision for direct instructional purposes, and devices being used as a component of a medical monitoring device are the only exceptions to the law.

Students at Clear Lake High School are required to turn their cell phones on silent and place their phones and headphones/earbuds in their designated secured location upon entering campus. Headphones, earbuds, AirPods, and similar personal audio devices are held to the same expectation as cell phones, to include Meta glasses and smartwatches. These devices must be turned off, put away, and remain out of sight for the entirety of the school day unless specifically authorized by a staff member for an instructional purpose. Students are not permitted to have personal communication devices, headphones, or earbuds at their desks, around their necks, in their ears, or otherwise accessible during instructional time.

Falcons are expected to model our Core Values at all times. By keeping the prohibited devices properly stored and out of sight, students can remain actively engaged in learning while demonstrating Responsibility and Respect. These expectations also help ensure that students can hear important communications, safety instructions, and announcements throughout the school day.

For students who choose not to meet these expectations or who continue to have difficulty avoiding distraction, cell phones, headphones, etc. may be confiscated by a teacher or administrator as permitted by law. Students may also be assigned disciplinary consequences and applicable fines. Confiscated items will be available for pickup at the end of the school day. Multiple infractions may result in a parent or guardian being required to retrieve the device, a behavioral contract requiring the student's device to be secured by an administrator at the beginning of each school day, and/or escalating disciplinary consequences up to and including placement at an off-campus disciplinary campus.

The use of cell phones, headphones, earbuds, or other electronic devices in locker rooms and restrooms is strictly prohibited. Filming or photographing others without their consent is also prohibited. Failure to meet these expectations may be considered a violation of digital citizenship standards and may result in disciplinary consequences for bullying, harassment, or other misconduct, up to and including placement at DAEP or expulsion.

Falcons respect each other, respect themselves, and honor the law.