As you are already aware, a new law requires school districts in Missouri to adopt a policy that, at a minimum, prohibits students’ use of “electronic personal communication devices” from the beginning of the school day until the end of the school day. The law features exceptions for emergencies and for students with specific educational or health needs. To be clear, an emergency, as defined by the law, is a serious, unexpected, and dangerous situation that requires immediate action, for example (but not limited to) a weather related or medical emergency, an active fire, an evacuation of school grounds or any other serious, unexpected, and dangerous situation that requires immediate action.
At our school, the new law means a few changes in our daily operations. The district’s off-and-away policy (JFCI) has been in place during instructional time, but will now extend to passing times and lunches. The school day starts at 7:20 a.m. and ends at 2:20 p.m. During this time, students must have their cell phones (and all other personal communication devices) off and away, which means in their pocket, backpack or locker (if not left at home). The district assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, damaged, or misplaced devices.
The law includes:
Cell phones
Tablets
Personal laptops
Smartwatches
Portable media players
Earbuds or headphones (unless explicitly required for instructional use with a district‑issued device)
Students must use only district‑issued Chromebooks or approved assistive technology for academic purposes. Personal tablets or laptops are not allowed as substitutes for school‑issued devices.
If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call the appropriate office at 636-281-0776. Our office staff will promptly relay your message to your child.
School starts Aug. 18, and the new law will be a part of our regular discipline review with students. Teachers will also review expectations with students as we start the year. As an overview, the new policy outlines the following for middle and high school students:
1st Offense - Warning (parent notified by mail, student pick-up phone in
office end of the day)
2nd Offense - 2 hours detention (parent notified by mail, student pick-up
phone in office end of day)
3rd Offense - 4 hours detention (parent notified by mail, parent pick-up phone)
4th and 5th Offense - 3 days ISS, parent pick up phone
6th - 9th Offense - 5 days ISS, parent pick up phone
Subsequent Offenses - See Chronic Disciplinary Violations, OSS
Chronic Disciplinary Violations- 5 to 10 days OSS with possible referral to Superintendent for additional suspension days
We recognize that technology plays a significant role in students’ lives both in and out of school. We know that, in partnership with families, we can reinforce the value of maintaining a focused, respectful, and distraction‑free learning environment. Together, we can model and support healthy digital habits. Thank you for your partnership.
