High School Personal Electronic Device Policy

Wayne-Westland High School Personal Electronic Device Administrative Action Plan Summary:

Wayne-Westland Community Schools is prioritizing a focused learning environment by implementing a "Pouched and Away" policy for personal electronic devices during instructional time. This shift ensures consistency within all classrooms while maintaining student agency during specific and flexible times (before school, after school, during passing times and during lunch). Every student will be provided with a school-issued device to ensure equitable access to digital curricular resources during instructional time.


Definitions:

  • Personal Electronic Devices: Includes, but is not limited to, internet-capable cellular phones, personal computers, iPads or tablets, smart watches, earbuds, headphones, and smart glasses.
  • "Pouch" your phone: At any high school, "pouching" your phone means to put it into the classroom cell phone pouch at the start of each class.  Headphones/earbuds should be put away during class.


  1. Classroom Expectations (The "Pouch" Standard):

    • Immediate Pouching: Upon entering any classroom, students are required to place their phones in the cell phone pouch that corresponds with their number (calculator pouch picture). Devices will remain in the pouch for the duration of the class period and can be picked up at the end of the class period.

    • Wearables & Accessories: Smart watches must be stored in the student's backpack/bookbag and earbuds must be removed from ears entirely and also must be stored or pouched. iPads or other personal electronic devices should also be stored in a backpack and away for the duration of the class period.

    • SmartPass Utilization: To eliminate the need for phones during classroom instructional time, digital kiosks will be available in every room for hall pass management.

    • Duration: Devices must remain in the pouch for the duration of the period. To ensure instructional consistency, mid-class "phone breaks" are not permitted. 


  1. Device Usage & BYOD (Bring Your Own Device):

    • School-Issued Devices: Every student will be provided with a school-issued device (a Chromebook) to ensure equitable access to the digital curricular resources during instructional time. These devices will be checked out, like textbooks, during transition days this coming fall

      • Instructional Exceptions: Courses requiring specialized technology (e.g., Digital Media, Graphic Arts) may allow personal electronic device use only with explicit Principal approval.


  • Implementation & Next Steps:

    • Discipline Framework/ Expectations: If a student has a personal electronic device out in class, the expectation is that the teacher will call the office and a member of the security team will come to get the phone from the student.  A parent or guardian will then need to pick up the phone from the main office and meet with an administrator. If the student chooses to not give up their cell phone, this would be considered insubordination and administration will proceed with progressive disciplinary action as outlined in our Student Code of Conduct.

    • Making needed modifications: With this being a new law instituted by the State, we will most likely be making adjustments to our plan and procedures during the school year. Any modifications will be clearly communicated.