In the past, many school districts clamped down hard on students using cell phones. As the devices have become more prevalent, some schools have made allowances for when they may be used — while others have kept the lid on them.
For example, the Port Huron Area School district maintains different policies for different ages of students. At the elementary school level, cell phones are expected to be turned off and stored in students' backpacks, according to Tracie Eschenburg, executive director for employee and student services at Port Huron Schools.
Many parents want a way to contact their younger children, but the phone should only be used after school, Eschenburg said. If a student needs to contact his or her parent, or vice versa, he or she should go through the school office or teacher, Eschenburg said.
For older kids at the middle and high schools, there is more flexibility. While each building is able to refine the details of its own policy and procedures, the broad strokes are spelled out in the Port Huron Schools student handbook, Eschenburg said.
Students of Port Huron Area School District may use phones before school, at lunch, between classes and after school so long as use of the device does not cause a distraction, the 2017-18 Student Code Handbook states. Cell phones may not be used by students while riding school transportation, the handbook states.
Recording, distributing or viewing of inappropriate content including fights, explicit images or threats is not allowed at school. Taking photos or videos of any staff or other students without their permission is also prohibited.
Violation of the district's code can lead to the confiscation of the device and possibly the offending student being forbidden to carry a cell phone going forward, according to the handbook.
The school administration reviews the student handbook each year along with the building principals, Eschenburg said.
"The policies on electronic devices, acceptable use and social media have all been adjusted over the years to better reflect current issues and appropriate uses," Eschenburg said in a written statement. "In the past, for example, cell phones were not allowed at any time during the school day, whereas now we do allow them at the secondary level during lunchtime when they are used appropriately."
Marysville Public Schools takes a different approach with its middle and high school students, according to its middle and high school student handbooks for 2016-17. In all Marysville schools, students are required to keep cell phones and other electronic devices put away and powered off.
Any cell phones that are seen or heard inside the building during school hours can be confiscated, according to Marysville High School's student handbook. Cell phones may be used before school and after lunch, provided they are not used inside the building, the handbook said. They may also be used in class for educational purposes with a teacher's permission.
Croswell-Lexington Community Schools have a similar policy as Port Huron Area School District. Students may carry cell phones, but must put them away when asked by staff and are prohibited from recording, distribution or viewing various types of media with the devices.
"This procedure was recommended by multiple school law firms as well as approved by the school board," Croswell-Lexington superintendent Dan Gilbertson wrote in an email.
Contact Jeremy Ervin at (810) 989-6276 or firstname.lastname@example.org. Follow him on Twitter @ErvinJeremy.