Question | Answer from Admin |
Are we allowed to use laptops at lunch? If not, what if we go to the library to use them? | Students would be permitted to use school issued chromebooks at lunch, if they so choose. Students are not permitted to use personal laptops at lunch. The policy permits Personal laptops to be used for instructional activities only in high school, when permitted by the teacher. So this would not include lunch. |
Are apple watches allowed to be used? If not, will they also be confiscated? | Smartwatches are permitted for the purposes of telling time. If they are being used for other purposes, they are subject to confiscation. |
What are the odds of change of the policy before the year 2028? | The Board of Education has acknowledged that they would be looking at the data and implementation feedback over the summer. This is a great time for students to exercise their student voice, through appropriate channels. |
Would you get written up the first time you violate the policy, and will it be on your record? | First violation of the policy includes an Office Disciplinary Referral and confiscation until the end of the day. Second (and subsequent) violation includes an Office Disciplinary Referral and confiscation until a parent/guardian picks up the device. A violation would go on your discipline record. |
Minors do not have the legal authority to sign contracts. Therefore, we should not legally be able to sign a document allowing administrators to confiscate our personal technology -- for whatever amount of time. Since HCPSS does not have ownership of our personal technology, what law or rule gives them authority to take it away? Please explain! | The updated HCPSS Policy 8080, with implementation beginning on March 3 gives admin the authority to confiscate when there is a violation. As well as HCPSS Policy 9260 |
Are we allowed to go to the library/media center during lunch to use our personal laptops or chromebooks? | Chromebooks can be used. The policy permits Personal laptops to be used for instructional activities only in high school, when permitted by the teacher. So this would not include lunch. |
Will carrier pigeons and other volant animals that are pre-approved for a student to have, be permitted to carry messages? (Feel free to disregard). | Unfortunately, per various HCPSS circulars, animals are not permitted on HCPSS property. |
Can we use our phones in the morning before 1st period starts? And at lunch? | Phones can be used before the first bell (7:45am) and after the last bell (2:35pm). They are not permitted to be used at lunch. |
Can morning ARL students use their phones on the bus to ARL? | Policy prohibits personal technology devices to be used from the first bell of the student day, until the last bell of the student day. But only an admin can confiscate phones… |
can we read on kindles during school day since they are designated e readers | The way the policy is written, e-readers are also prohibited during the student day. |
is there to see other questions please it would very funny Please | We are posting all (appropriate) questions and answering them. |
If there is a lockdown or the fire alarm goes off (both in situations where it is a known drill and where it is unknown/not a drill), will students be punished for carrying their phones in case they need to communicate with their parents? | Use would not be permitted during a drill. The policy does allow for use during an emergency. But it is important to remember, that during an emergency, we must follow the directions of the admin/staff. But yes, use would be permitted during an emergency to communicate home. |
If my phone is confiscated but I have afternoon work release or internship, do I pick it up when I leave school or at 2:35? | When you leave school |
I have a digital education class where I have to log onto a google meet every day. Will I be allowed to use headphones for this? (I can hear better with headphones vs. the TV, and the microphone is much clearer). Which personal devices are/aren't allowed when permitted by an instructor for academic use. I've heard iPads aren't (considered laptops) but touchscreen laptops are. What's the actual distinction there? Is it the keyboards, because we can fold Chromebooks back and not use the keyboard. Is it how they're marketed, because that feels like an arbitrary line | Wired Headphones can be used for instructional purposes. The way the policy is written - only personal laptops are permitted, during instruction, at teacher’s discretion. Distinction - with a cursory glance, does it look like a laptop? (i.e. keyboard) Arbitrary line - perhaps |
What should seniors do if they are running late regarding Student ID cards? We were not given ID cards since our Picture Day was different than 9-11th graders | We are working on that. In the meantime, we will have a pdf of all barcodes at the attendance kiosks. We will scan you in. |
What is the policy for staff/administrators? How will this be enforced? Why is the technology being banned during non-instructional time? Especially during Hawk Time, students should be allowed to use the time as they need, right? If headphones are banned, couldn't there be 20+ videos playing at once through the Chromebook's speakers? And wouldn't this be more disruptive than the potential issue of some students not being on task? I've heard that staff are meant to play videos to students for everyone to watch at once, but what about when a lesson isn't designed with this in mind? | This policy is for students. It is titled - Student Personal Technology Use in Schools According to the policy - wrong. Students can use their school issued chromebooks during HawkTime, but not personal technology devices. Wired Headphones will be permitted for instructional purposes. |
My Chromebook crashed twice yesterday--once in the middle of my Google Meet for classwork, and once in the middle of a Google Meet meeting. If we're being severely limited in what technology we can use for our work, are there plans to improve the technology we have accessible to us? Similarly, are there plans to make wired headphones accessible to every student like Chromebooks were to make sure students can still watch videos/join meets/etc. without being disruptive, creating an echo, etc.? | Take your chromebook and visit the media center, they will take a look at it for you. There are no plans for this at this time. We will work on creating a plan to find ways to provide wired,over the ear headphones for instructional purposes . |
Why is the policy being introduced so close to the end of the year, instead of at the beginning of next year? Such a major shift feels like it'd be easier going into the year vs. when teachers and students have already gotten into routines | This is what the Board of Education voted on. Perhaps. |
Let's just say it's a second offense and a phone gets confiscated during 6th period, as well as the entire next day. Will a parent need to pick it up both days? Once after it was taken 6th period, and then once again after the next day is over? | Technically, yes. |
Are we allowed to use our phones during pep rallies or assemblies and if we want to take photos or videos? And when we have pep rallies how can they spot anyone using phones in the big crowds | The way the policy is currently written - using a cell phone during a pep rally or assembly would be a violation of this policy. |
Does the policy apply on field trips | Yes. Wording from the policy - A staff member on a school-sponsored field trip may permit the use of a personal technology device by a student in limited situations where capturing a picture or video may be appropriate or contacting a parent/guardian is necessary. |
Are unplugged, wired earbuds/headphones allowed for the purposes of noise suppression so a student may concentrate on working? | Wired headphones would be permitted for instructional purposes. There are other types of ear plugs available for noise suppression that students can use - as long as they can still hear directions from staff. |
Since personal laptops are allowed if the teacher permits, can we use our personal laptops during hawktime to complete homework/assignments if our teacher says so? | Personal Laptops are permitted at the high school level for instructional purposes. HawkTime is an extension of period 2, if the teacher permits its use, then it would be allowed. If you visit another teacher for support, and they allow it, then you are good to use it |
Most of my classes require classwork to be submitted to canvas via pdf. How do I scan my work using my chrome book, so that it is clear enough for my teacher to grade while also becoming a pdf, since the Chromebook cameras are not very good? Secondly if my phone is in my backpack, but my teacher sees it when I go to grab something like a folder, is that grounds for confiscation? | Teachers may begin changing how they accept work. Or you can try these directions:
Select Portrait. Take photo . Select Video. Start recording . Select Scan. Document or QR code. Scan . If that does not work, we will work with the media specialist to put out a tutorial. Policy says phones should be silent and away - not seen. Technically, yes - grounds for confiscation. But teachers are not “hunting” for phones. |
are wireless headphones such as air pods allowed if they are used to watch an assigned video in class? If they are not allowed, will wired headphones be provided by the school to every student so that there will not be the sound of every device playing at the same time? | Wired headphones would be permitted for instructional purposes. There are no plans for this at this time. We will work on creating a plan to find ways to provide wired,over the ear headphones for instructional purposes for those that cannot provide them. |
If my phone was confiscated, I would be required to fill out an incident report form. What does an incident report mean and who can see it? If others can see the report such as colleges, internships, jobs etc how much of the incident report can they see? Will they see that there was just an incident or would they be able to see that it was because my phone got confiscated? | If your phone is confiscated, an admin would fill out an office disciplinary report (ODR) and the front office would contact home. The ODR would reflect a violation of school system policy 8080 and the consequence. It would be apart of your HCPSS discipline record. This is not shared with internships, jobs, etc. Although, you may have to self-report, depending on the application questions. |
Am I permitted to use smoke signals to communicate? | No. That would create an indoor air quality concern. |
Could I use a carrier pigeon to send messages? | Previously asked and answered. Unfortunately, per various HCPSS circulars, animals are not permitted on HCPSS property. |
Would I be permitted to use a SCR-578, 500 kHz radio transmitted to send messages in Morse code during the school day? | I don't even know what this is. Let’s talk. |
Will banning cell phones cause Verizon's stock price to drop? Would you recommend divesting from the company before the ban goes into effect? | I am not authorized to offer investment advice. |
Lets say I am caught with my cell phone during 6th period and so am required to surrender the phone at the start of the following day. If I go home and replace every single component in the phone with a replacement, is this still the same cell phone? How does the school plan to address this Grecian philosophical dilemma? | Does it have the same phone number? |
As stated in the Board of Education policy- "Any non-HCPSS device that may be used to send or receive data via voice, video or text. This includes, but is not limited to, mobile phones, e-readers, tablets, personal computers, wearable technology, video recorders or other devices equipped with microphones, speakers and/or cameras." On the answers the the FAQ's page, admin has deemed that wired headphones are permitted. Wired headphones are devices equipped with microphones and speakers, therefore they would not be allowed. There is a hole with what admin are saying, vs the superintendent policy, so please explain. To my knowledge, there is no room for admin discretion for this policy. Additionally, I am unsure there is available funding to support purchasing in bulk all-HCPSS wired headphones for every single HCPSS student to use, so I am wondering how this will be handled. | We are working on a plan. |
What are we allowed and not allowed to do on our chromebooks? Like if a teacher gives us free time, are we allowed to use them as we please? | Chromebooks are intended to be used for academics. |
If I have no work left to do and my teacher allows for free time can I play coolmathgames on my computer or will that get me in trouble even though it is educational? | Chromebooks are intended to be used for academics. But I do not think a coolmathgame has ever gotten anyone in trouble, when it is not interrupting instruction. |
Can we use our Chromebooks for whatever we want during lunch? | Chromebooks are intended to be used for academics. So sure, you can use it to do work, or other academic related activities. |
Are we allowed to use airpods or bluetooth headphones of any sort? | Per the policy, this would not be allowed. |
If my phone was confiscated during sixth period and I get a new phone before class the next day, would I then have to relinquish that new phone at the beginning of the next day? (the phones do not have the same phone number) | Excellent question. However, I think the issue here is that the student committed the violation, not the phone, therefore, the phone, new or not, would need to be relinquished the next day. |
Are flip phones allowed to be used since it’s not a smart phone. Also, are pagers allowed to be used? | Can you even buy a flip phone these days? But, alas, no. Use of either would be in violation of the policy. |
Will I be permitted to bring in my personal Disney princess toy phone? Or will that get confiscated, and would my parent need to come pick up my Disney princess toy phone? Example of said phone: https://www.amazon.com/ArtCreativity-Pretend-Play-Phones-Toddlers/dp/B07TNTNCFW | While this would be adorable, according to the clause regarding “other devices equipped with microphones, speakers and/or cameras” I do believe it would be confiscated as it has a speaker. |
Would I be able to use wired headphones during wellness/hawktime periods to complete instructional work for other classes? | HawkTime is an extension of period 2. So the same rules would apply as in your period 2 class. |
"By 50 U.S. Code § 3334d - Cyber protection support for the personnel of the intelligence community in positions highly vulnerable to cyber attack, personal technology devices are defined as technology devices used by personnel of the intelligence community outside of the scope of their employments with elements of the intelligence community, including networks to which such devices connect. As such, devices such as cell phones are sensibly prohibited. However, many members of the student community feel this policy is not clear in terms of the policy's relationship to the use in school of air fryers. Would air fryers fall under relevant discretion? In short, would air fryers be allowed for use in school? If the air fryer were non-functional and instead served use as a container or a backpack would that violate school policy? Due to enlightened avoidance of functional fixedness, many members of the North American Society of Air and WInd-based Convection Distributors have voiced their concerns over key vague incongruences. On another note, would relevant policy violations occur if it were found that a student brought in all parts of a cell phone. Although again nonfunctional, would this grouping of items when held by a student also be liable to be classified as a cell phone? If later in the school day, the assortment of technological parts were reconstructed into a workable, usable, ""cell phone"", or any other relevant technological devices deemed necessary for use during periods considered as a school day, would the phone be confiscated? What if the collection fo the wide gamut of parts only constructed a certain percentage of a cell phone? Would holding technological accessories like an Ipad pen or a phone case be liable for confiscation? Could reselling SIM cards count against an individual? Lastly, the definition of a ban on cell phones only appears to have temporal delimiters on time, but not on physical space. Would ""students"" be ""violating"" ""the"" policy ""if"" they were off of school grounds? If as so, would students be able to occupy spaces near the fringe of official school zone designations and not be subject to relevant obstructive and beneficial and savory policies. Salutations and may gleeful joyous excitable tintinnabulations be blessed with your presence afterall. P.S. what is your favorite brand of air fryer? Have a good day." | There is alot to unpack here- I wasn’t aware that students were classified as members of the intelligence community. I do not believe air fryers fall under the “Student Personal Technology Use in School” Policy. However, their use would be prohibited under the provision of policy that does not allow for open flame and/or heating elements. Carrying them around, unplugged, would not be a violation, however, I do believe it would be incredibly awkward. Functional fixedness… someone took Psychology! Well done. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. DCould fall under a different policy. Yes, if they are on a school sponsored Field Trip and/or event, during the school day. No. Thank you. You as well. Can’t say that I have a favorite brand. Thank you. |
What is your favorite brand of air fryer? It has come to my attention that air fryer's brought to school may be liable for confiscation. Regardless, how are you doing on this fine October morning? | Not sure where this obsession with air fryers has come from. It is March…. |
So by the policy, we aren't allowed to use the phones on field trips, unless approved by a teacher in charge only for photographs, that means we won't be able to use phones on overnight field trips? And let alone during the overnight field trip from 7:45 to 2:35? How would the policy change then? | The policy allows for use on a school-sponsored field trip by a student in limited situations. Follow your teachers’ directions |