Code of Conduct

Cell phones and other electronic devices serve as outstanding instructional tools and learning resources if used appropriately. We encourage our faculty, staff and students to use electronic devices and other 21^st century learning tools to supplement instruction and learning. Additionally, we recognize that the use of an electronic device can be a significant distraction in the classroom, while walking in the hall, and while driving. We encourage students to recognize that there is an appropriate time and place for the use of electronic devices and to exercise caution when using them.

Electronic Devices include but are not limited to: Cellphones, MP3 players, CD players, iPod, iPad, laptops, notepads, electronic readers (such as Kindle or Nook), Beats (headgear) and/or game players and any other personal electronic devices.

All cell phones/electronic devices brought into school by a student are done so at the owner’s risk.  Peru CSD is not responsible for any lost, stolen, misplaced or broken items. The safest place to store a cell phone/electronic device is in a locker. This is especially true during PE class. While the school makes no commitment to investigate the loss of electronic devices, the school will cooperate with local law enforcement officers to recover items stolen on school grounds.

       Acceptable Use:

• Cell phones /electronic devices may only be used for educational purposes in the classroom setting. Students may use a cellphone/electronic device only with teacher permission. If a student wishes to use their cell phone/electronic device for non-educational purposes, they may do so before the 7:28 AM bell, or outside the classroom setting. If used in a study hall or during lunch, headphones or earbuds must be used. Students attending athletic study hall are also required to follow the same guidelines as regular day study halls;
• Classroom teachers are allowed to set reasonable rules pertaining to classroom use of electronic devices. This may include collecting cell phones prior to testing and having the cell phone/electronic device powered off and placed in sight of the teacher during class.

Please see Transportation section regarding use of electronic devices on school transportation.

      Not Permitted:

• Personal electronic devices may not be used to record, transmit or post unauthorized photographic images, video or sound of a person or persons on campus or during off campus school activities;
• Cell phones/electronic devices that make noises that disturb others or disrupt the educational setting;
• Cell phones/electronic devices are prohibited in the ISS room at all times. Cell phones/electronic devices are to be turned in to the teacher monitoring the ISS room and must be powered off;
• Students who violate these policies, but are not caught at the time, may receive consequences if it is determined at a later time that they violated the policy. (Example:  If a student posts a video on Youtube that was taken in a classroom the student will face consequences if it is brought to the attention of school administration.)  In addition, Peru School Administrators and/or Deans may search students and their personal belongings, including cell phones if: the school has a reasonable suspicion that the search would turn up evidence of misconduct, and the extent of the search is relating to its purpose and is not excessively intrusive.  In determining the scope of any search of an electronic device, the District will strive to balance the student’s reasonable expectation of privacy against the school’s special need to maintain a safe learning environment.

Electronic Device Violation Consequences:

• 1^st offense (minor offense) – Electronic device turned into office, student will receive a warning, student picks electronic device up at end of the day;
• 2^nd offense (minor offense) – Electronic device turned into office, student will be assigned lunch ISS and Detention, student picks electronic device up at end of the day;
• 3^rd offense (minor offense) – Electronic device turned into office, student serves 5-days lunch ISS, 5-days detention and device is picked up by parent;
• 4^th offense (minor offense) – Electronic device turned into office, student will be assigned full-day(s) of In-School Suspension (Periods 1-10); days assigned to ISS will be determined by the Administrator. Device is not returned for 4 days;
• 5^th and subsequent offenses – Device is confiscated for up to one day per offense.

Major violations and/or repeated electronic device violations will be covered as a 3^rd or 4^th level of misconduct. The Administration reserves the right to revoke Cell phone/ Electronic device privileges at any time during the school year.

Electronic Device Policy Grades K-6:

To create an educational environment at the elementary level that is age appropriate and focused on learning, we ask all students and families to please keep personal electronic devices at home, including student cell phones.  Students are permitted to bring such items to school, however, they must be off and out of sight between the school hours of arrival and dismissal.  Personally owned computing devices such as laptops, netbooks, tablets, and eReaders can be used for instructional purposes at the discretion of the classroom teacher.

The Peru Central School District is not responsible for any device, data loss, theft, damage or other associated costs of replacement or repair incurred during the school day.