Cell Phone Free

Devices can not be used or displayed from the first school bell to the final dismissal bell. On a regular school day, for each level, this means:

• Early childhood
  • Full-day tuition-based program - 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. 
  • Half-day programs - morning session - 8:15 to 11:15 a.m.
  • Half-day programs - afternoon session 12:15 to 3:15 p.m.
• Elementary - 8:55 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
• Remington - 8:05 a.m. to 2:55 p.m.
• Middle - 7:55 a.m. to 3:03 p.m.
• Pattonville High School - 7:23 a.m. to 2:18 p.m. (or 1:19 p.m. on C days)

For early release days, this means:

• Elementary - 8:55 a.m. to noon
• Remington - 8:05 to 11:15 a.m.
• Middle - 8:10 to 11:15 a.m.
• Pattonville High School C Days - 7:23 a.m. to 1:19 p.m.
• Pattonville High School finals with early dismissal - 7:23 to 10:30 a.m.

Students may continue to use personal devices appropriately before and after school, including while riding district transportation before and after school.

The law has provisions for certain situations. Devices may be used:

• When required by a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 Plan or individualized healthcare plan. 
• In a documented medical emergency.
• Before the school day begins and after the school day ends.
• When authorized by an administrator for an approved educational purpose.
• Emergency situations (such as threats of imminent danger).

We understand that some students may need access to their phones or internet-enabled smartwatches for health-related purposes, such as monitoring health conditions. Please contact your student’s school to ensure appropriate accommodations are in place to meet the student’s medical needs.

If an administrator determines that a cell phone or other device is necessary for a specific activity or lesson, they can permit students to use their devices during that time. Educational purpose is defined in policy as using personal communication devices for academic activities conducted electronically that cannot reasonably be accomplished using a Pattonville-issued device.

Devices should be powered off and stored securely during the school day. Schools may designate appropriate storage options such as in student backpacks (zipped and stowed away) or their locker.

If you need to speak with your student during school hours, please call their school’s main office. Our team will help connect you with your student or share a message with them as needed. Similarly, a student can go to the office if they need to contact a parent/guardian. Please keep in mind, though, that every time a student leaves class, they are missing instruction.

In an emergency, staff would allow students to use their personal devices to communicate with families. This ensures student safety while minimizing daily classroom disruptions. Emergencies are defined in policy as a serious, unexpected and dangerous situation that requires immediate action, including, but not limited to, immediate safety threats to the school, an active fire, tornado or earthquake, an evacuation of school grounds or a medical emergency. However, students are encouraged to remain off their devices in an emergency so they can focus on staff instructions and any updates.

Announcements will be made as appropriate during the school day with updates to after-school activities. Additionally, staff can push notifications through our school-to-home communications platform, Bloomz, and those messages will be available to secondary students through their iPads. Staff will also communicate these changes with families as appropriate through Bloomz.

Any changes to dismissal or transportation should be communicated through the school office.

Communication, when possible, should occur before or after school hours. We recommend that working students ask their employers regarding communication if anything urgent comes up during school hours.

Policy JFCD (Student Use of Personal Communication Devices) can be found on Pattonville's BoardDocs website.

This information can be found in the K-8 Behavior Guide and Pattonville High School Behavior Guide. You can find those guides here.

Have conversations with your child about the new policy and ensure they are aware of these expectations and the consequences. If you need to reach your child or if there is an emergency, you can call the school office or contact your child using their Pattonville-provided email address (middle and high school students).

Students can use the wired headphones for classroom work or for listening to music if directed by the teacher. All Bluetooth devices, including AirPods and other wireless headphones, should not be brought to school and if so, should be placed securely in the student’s backpack or locker.

The law applies during the entire school day, including during off-campus activities unless an administrator has approved device use for educational or safety purposes.