Lexington Two Families and Staff:
Lexington School District Two’s revised cell phone policy was approved by the Board of Trustees at its November 21 monthly meeting.
Starting January 7, 2025, and as required by a new state law, Lexington Two students will not be permitted to use, or have visible, any personal electronic devices or device accessories at any point during the school day.
While the district’s current Code of Conduct restricts personal electronic devices, the revised policy comes with some important changes, outlined below.
Click this link to read FAQs about the new policy.
REQUIREMENTS
Students may possess electronic devices/device accessories while on school property as long as they remain off and are not visible during the school day, including the time between classes, and during lunch and recess. For middle schoolers, phones/accessories must be powered off and stored once they arrive on campus; for high schoolers, phones/accessories powered off and stored by first tardy bell.
Students must store their device/device accessories in their personal backpack or comparable bag that is approved as appropriate by the administration and is in the students’ possession during the school day. Putting phones/accessories into the pocket of a clothing item is not approved storage.
Electronic devices/device accessories are not permitted to be used in locker rooms, restrooms, or other personal spaces at any time.
DEFINITIONS
Personal electronic device
Any device utilized to access the internet, wi-fi, cellular telephone signals, or to capture images or video. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, and gaming devices.
Personal electronic device accessories
Any wired or wireless accessory or wearable technology that connects to a device and any other accessory commonly used in conjunction with a personal electronic device.
School day
The period of time that a student is present on the school campus, from the first morning tardy bell starting the school day to the afternoon dismissal bell concluding it.
Access
Viewing, holding, wearing, or otherwise using a device for the purpose of communication, internet access, gaming, recording, or any other function commonly associated with devices.
Authorized for classroom use
Use of a personal electronic device that is explicitly approved by the district superintendent or his/her designee in writing.
CONSEQUENCES
A person who finds a student in violation of this policy must report the student to the school principal or his/her designee. Upon notification, the principal or his/her designee will follow these procedures:
- First offense: Warning, documented in writing
- Second offense: Detention, parent/guardian communication
- Third offense: One-day ISS, conference with student and parent/guardian
- Fourth offense: One-day OSS, conference with student and parent/guardian
- Fifth offense: One-day OSS, conference with student and parent/guardian, privilege to possess a personal electronic device/device accessories on school property revoked for remainder of school year.
Violation of this policy beyond the fifth offense will be considered an act of defiance, and the student will face disciplinary consequences in accordance with the district’s Code of Conduct.
If at any time during the school day a student is asked to power off devices/device accessories and put them away but refuses to comply, it, too, will be considered an act of defiance and addressed in accordance with the district’s Code of Conduct.
EXCEPTIONS
- If explicitly required by a student’s IEP or 504 plan, the student shall be allowed to access their personal electronic device for medically or educationally necessary purposes described and required for administration of the IEP or 504 plan.
- A student who is a member of a volunteer firefighting organization or emergency organization may be authorized to carry a device with written permission from the district superintendent or his/her designee.
- A teacher may only allow the instructional use of personal electronic devices/device accessories if they have been authorized for classroom use explicitly by the district superintendent or his/her designee in writing, in alignment with a standards-aligned educational objective that cannot be reasonably achieved using district-owned devices.
All students may access electronic devices/device accessories after the dismissal bell ending the school day; while riding school buses to/from school and to/from school-related activities; during after-school activities, such as athletic practices and events, rehearsals, and meetings; and during portions of off-campus field trips deemed authorized for use by the superintendent or his/her designee in writing.
REACHING YOUR CHILD DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
Parents/Guardians who need to contact their student during the school day may do so by calling the main office number. If the student needs to contact their parent/guardian during the school day, a phone will be available in the main office. The same goes if you need to change the pick up time of your child. Contacting your child directly via their phone during the school day distracts them from their studies and the needed in-person interaction with their teachers and peers.
THE WHY
Free to Focus SC is the South Carolina Department of Education's initiative to create a phone-free school environment that fosters a positive learning experience free from electronic distractions.
The department launched the initiative after state lawmakers passed Proviso 1.103, in the General Appropriations Bill, H.5100 of 2024, which reads the following:
To receive state funds allocated for State Aid to Classrooms, a school district shall implement a policy adopted by the State Board of Education that prohibits access to personal electronic communication devices by students during the school day. For purposes of this provision, a personal electronic communication device is considered to be a device not authorized for classroom use by a student, utilized to access the internet, wi-fi, or cellular telephone signals.
Recent studies show that reducing or eliminating student cell phone use at school has been linked to strong student academic outcomes, decreased conflict and disruptions at school, improved student mental health, and enhanced school safety.
ABOUT FREE TO FOCUS
The Free to Focus SC policy is mandated by the South Carolina Department of Education. It
seeks to create a phone-free environment during school hours to help students engage, focus, and grow their college- and career-ready skills.
