The Middletown Township Board of Education aims to reduce distractions that can interfere with
academic engagement and achievement. By promoting a learning environment free from the distraction
of personal cell phones and related electronic devices, the Board also aims to foster face-to-face
interactions, enhance social skills development, and promote mental well-being among students.
Furthermore, implementing such a policy supports equitable access to education by ensuring that all
students have equal opportunities to participate actively in classroom activities without the distraction
of personal devices.

The Board recognizes that cell phones and other similar personal electronic devices (referred to generally
as “cell phones” for efficiency) are a part of daily life for most teenagers. However, they are not
necessary for educational purposes in school and, in fact, are antithetical to the educational, social, and
mental-health goals the Board aims to foster. Accordingly, the Board believes that the possession of cell
phones and other similar devices during the school day is a privilege that may be revoked should
students fail to respect/abide by this Policy.

The use of cell phones by students nationwide has grown exponentially since the mid-2010s with the
invention of addictive smartphones, mobile applications, and social media. When these devices were
first made available, the rule enforced in most schools in the United States was that they must be “away
for the day” and students could only use them before and after the school day. In recent years,
enforcement of this rule has eroded and it is frequent for students to use their cell phones, headphones
and other personal electronic devices for personal reasons during instructional time, passing time, in
bathrooms, locker rooms, lunch, advisory/study hall, and various other points throughout the day. The
Board believes that use of cell phones in this way is detrimental to students.

“Away for the Day” Policy
The Board recognizes the importance of communication and collaboration, and provides devices for
students to be productive in the classroom. To keep the focus on academics and to reduce unnecessary
distractions, the school enforces the following:

For elementary and middle school students:
● Cell phones and all mobile devices shall be TURNED OFF when entering school campus.
● Cell phones and all mobile devices shall be kept in a student’s backpack (or other permitted
school bag), teacher-designated location in the classroom, or locker – not in clothing pockets.
● Cell phones and all mobile devices are not allowed to be used in a classroom, library, locker
room, common areas, hallways, cafeteria, gymnasium, all-purpose room, or restrooms.
● Cell phones and all mobile devices can be turned back on at the end-of-school bell and used to
communicate directly with parents/friends who are assisting in transportation.
● Cell phones and all mobile devices are not allowed to be used during transition times or
between classes.
● If a student needs to communicate with a parent or guardian during the day, he or she may
come to the office with teacher or staff permission and may use their personal device under the
supervision of school administration/staff.

Policy-1

For high school students:
● Cell phones and all mobile devices shall be TURNED OFF during educational/instructional time.
This time includes not only traditional classes but physical education class, specials, assemblies,
and other similar time periods throughout the day as may be further defined by the regulations
implementing this policy. This restriction shall apply from “bell to bell”.
● Cell phones and all mobile devices are not allowed to be used in a locker room or restrooms at
any time.
● The Board does not expect or require staff or administration to affirmatively police students’
device usage. However, any student found to be using social media on a cell phone or mobile
device during the school day to comment about or share photos or videos of any other person,
or in any other manner deemed to be detrimental to the District’s educational, developmental,
social, or emotional objectives, will be disciplined. Said disciplinary action must include, but is
not limited to, loss of cell phone/electronic device privileges for a period of time to be
determined by school administration, but no less than 5 days of school.
For all students:
● A cell phone or other personal electronic device used in violation of this policy will be
confiscated by a school staff member or principal or designee and the student will be subject to
appropriate disciplinary action as set forth in the Student Handbook and/or Code of Conduct.
Said disciplinary action may be up to and including loss of use of cell phone/electronic device
privileges for the rest of the semester or school year.
● If a cell phone or other personal electronic device is used in any way to embarrass, demean,
bully, harass, intimidate, or otherwise violate the privacy or safety of another person, whether
on campus during the school day or after school hours/off campus, the offending student shall
lose the privilege of bringing his or her cell phone to school for a period of time to be
determined by school administration, but no less than 5 days of school, in addition to any other
disciplinary action required or warranted under the Student Handbook and/or Code of Conduct.