Cell Phone Policy

CELL PHONES & OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Middle School and High Schools (Board Policy 5131.8)

California Ed Code: 48901.7: (a) The governing body of a school district, a county office of education, or a charter school may adopt a policy to limit or prohibit the use by its pupils of smartphones while the pupils are at a school site or while the pupils are under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district, county office of education, or charter school. 

1. Cell Phones, headphone/earbuds, SMART watches or other personal devices shall not be visible while school is in session and stored in backpacks or lockers.  Prior to entering campus all cell phones need to be turned off and stored away.  Such devices may remain in a locker, a backpack, or other secured area during the instructional day and during school programs or activities. Cell phones need to be stored out of sight and should not be visible in a pocket or a backpack.  Once students leave campus they may access their cell phone.  Cell phones are not permitted in P.E. locker rooms at any time.

2.  Students are not permitted to take pictures or videos of other students and school personnel on campus using cameras, school laptops, or camera cell phones.  All personal electronic devices need to be off and away all day while on campus.   

3. We value social emotional health at Valley View and we restrict cell phone use on campus to promote socialization with our students and mitigate students' habit of constantly checking their cell phones instead of focusing on class. Eliminating cell phone use on campus protects students from pictures and videos being taken of them without their consent and eliminates opportunities for students using the device in an inappropriate manner. 

4. Students shall follow any additional guidelines developed by school staff regarding the use of cellular telephones or personal devices on the school campus. Possession and use of electronic signaling devices at school are a privilege.  If this privilege is abused in such a manner as to violate this policy, the school may revoke the privilege and prohibit a student from possessing such a device for a specified period of time.  Each school’s discipline plan shall include consequences for violation of this policy. Additional guidelines for each specific school may be found on the school’s website.

5.  VVMS assumes no responsibility for any loss, theft, or damage to the above items. Students are permitted to keep personal devices in their backpacks, but they maintain responsibility for the security of their backpacks.

6.  Students must comply anytime a request is made to cease the use of a cell phone or any other electronic device, or to turn it in to the office.

7.  See Discipline Matrix page for cell phone violations and consequences.