Student/Family Handbook & Technology Guidelines

Student Personal Technology Guideline

Purpose

The Fond du Lac School District is committed to providing safe, orderly, and engaging learning environments where students can fully participate in instruction without unnecessary distractions. Personal electronic devices can interfere with learning, student engagement, and school safety when used inappropriately. This guideline establishes consistent expectations regarding student use of personal technology while ensuring compliance with Wisconsin Act 42, Wisconsin Statute §175.22, and School Board guideline 5136. 

This guideline is intended to:

  • Maximize instructional time.

  • Promote student engagement.

  • Support positive school culture.

  • Provide consistent districtwide expectations.

  • Ensure student privacy and safety

Definitions

Personal Electronic Device (PED) includes but is not limited to:

  • Cell phones

  • Smartphones

  • Smart watches capable of communication

  • Earbuds

  • Headphones

  • AirPods

  • Bluetooth audio devices

  • Tablets not issued by the District

District-issued Chromebooks are not considered personal electronic devices under this guideline.

Expectations for Student Use

During Instruction (Bell-to-Bell)

Students shall not use personal electronic devices during instructional time unless:

  • Required as part of an approved accommodation, IEP, Section 504 Plan, or documented medical need.

During instructional time:

  • Cell phones must remain silenced and out of sight.

  • Earbuds and headphones must not be worn unless directed by staff.

  • Personal devices shall not replace district-issued Chromebooks or instructional technology unless teacher instructed per curricular need.

Passing Periods

  • Students may use personal electronic devices during passing periods unless otherwise directed by staff or administration.

Lunch

  • Students may use personal electronic devices during lunch.

Bathrooms and Locker Rooms

  • In accordance with Wisconsin Statute §175.22:

  • Students may not use cell phones or any recording device in bathrooms or locker rooms at any time.

  • Violation of this expectation may result in school disciplinary action and may also constitute a violation of Wisconsin law.

Medial Exceptions

Students with documented medical needs requiring the use of a personal electronic device may use the device consistent with medical documentation.

Examples include:

  • Diabetes monitoring

  • Seizure monitoring

  • Other medically documented health conditions

Classroom Procedures

Teachers should respond to violations using progressive classroom interventions whenever appropriate.

  1. Staff member provides all students a verbal reminder at the beginning of the class period

  2. The student immediately places the device away.

  3. Instruction begins

Office Referral Procedures

If a student:

  • Violates the cell phone guidelines

The teacher will:

  • Contact the office.

  • Request administrative assistance.

  • Submit a discipline referral documenting the behavior.

An administrator will collect the device. The device will remain in the office until the end of the school day unless additional disciplinary consequences are assigned.

Progressive Discipline Model

Provide a verbal reminder/redirection at the beginning of the class period.

Level

Student Behavior

Staff Response

Administrative Response

Level 1

Student uses a cell phone or PED during instructional time

The teacher contacts the office and submits a discipline referral.

The administrator confiscates the device until the end of the school day and notifies the parent/guardian.

Level 2

Continued violations after administrative intervention, repeated defiance, or habitual misuse of personal electronic devices.

Office referral

Parent/guardian conference, restorative conference, behavior contract, and/or temporary loss of personal device privileges during the school day.

Level 3

Chronic refusal to follow staff directions, persistent defiance, or misuse that substantially disrupts the learning environment.

Office referral

Progressive disciplinary consequences consistent with Board guideline and Wisconsin Act 42, which may include detention, in-school suspension, or other appropriate interventions

Parent/Guardian Notification

Parents/guardians should be notified when:

  • A device is confiscated by the administration.

  • A student demonstrates repeated violations.

  • A behavioral intervention plan or contract is implemented.

Communication should focus on partnering with the families to reinforce responsible technology use.

Documentation

Staff should submit a discipline referral when:

  • A student violates the Cell Phone Guideline

Documentation assists the district in identifying patterns of behavior and ensuring equitable implementation of the discipline practices.

Alignment with Wisconsin Act 42

This guideline is designed to support the principles of Wisconsin Act 42 by:

  • Prioritizing student learning and instructional engagement.

  • Providing clear behavioral expectations.

  • Using progressive discipline rather than automatic exclusionary consequences.

  • Encouraging restorative practices and parent involvement.

  • Reserving more restrictive consequences for repeated or willful noncompliance.

  • Applying expectations consistently across all schools to promote equitable student outcomes.

Staff Guidelines

Teachers should ensure:

  • Initial reminder at the beginning of class that all cell phones should be put away.

  • If a teacher is allowing cell phone usage per curricular need that needs to be communicated with the building administrator.

  • Teachers should not collect cell phones

Administrative Guidelines

Building administrators should ensure:

  • Staff receive annual training on the guideline.

  • Expectations are explicitly taught to students at the beginning of each school year.

  • Families receive the guideline annually through student handbooks and registration materials.

  • Discipline data related to personal technology violations are monitored regularly to ensure consistent implementation across classrooms, grade levels, and student groups.

  • The guideline is reviewed annually and revised as needed to align with state law, district priorities, and emerging technology.