Dear Holliman Families,
Though cell phone usage is typically an issue in middle and high school, more students at the elementary school level have access to their own cell phones. The Warwick School Department with the support of the Warwick School Committee has updated its cell phone policy for all students. If your child is allowed to bring a cell phone to school, that cell phone MUST be powered off and stored in your child's backpack. At no time during the school day, may your child have access to a cell phone. Warwick is a one to one device district which means that each student has access to a Chromebook and/or iPad during the school day for instructional purposes. If your child needs to make a phone call, they can do so from the main office, principal's office or nurse's office.
Below is the policy in its entirety.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN SCHOOL
The Warwick School Committee recognizes the impact that advances in technology can have on education; however, they also recognize that inappropriate use of personal cellular phones and other technology devices during instructional time can often disrupt student learning. The Warwick School Committee is committed to providing a safe, positive and productive learning environment for its students. The Warwick School Committee holds high expectations for student behavior, academic integrity and responsible use of existing and emerging technologies capable of capturing and/or transmitting data or images.
Students who possess and/or use such devices at school or school sponsored events shall demonstrate the greatest respect for the educational environment and the rights and privacy of all individuals within the school community.
The Warwick School District accepts no responsibility for cell phones or other personal electronic devices that are lost, damaged, or stolen at school or while traveling to and from school. Cell phones and all other personal electronic devices must be powered/turned off and kept out of sight during school hours unless otherwise directed by individual teachers or administrators in their classrooms.
Cell phones and all other personal electronic devices may not be used to:
● disrupt classroom lessons with ringtones, beeping, or sounds of any kind.
● photograph, record, or film others without their consent.
● record a disruption on campus that can be used to degrade, threaten, intimidate, or dehumanize the
person(s) involved
● take pictures or record in school activity private areas such as locker rooms, counseling sessions,
restrooms, and/or dressing areas
● send or display pornographic or inappropriate messages, pictures or images including sexting
● capture, record, and/or transmit test information or any other information in a manner constituting fraud,
theft, cheating, or academic dishonesty
● receive test information or any other information in a manner constituting fraud, theft, cheating, or
academic dishonesty
● bully, humiliate, harass, or intimidate school-related individuals or violate local, state, or federal laws
Warwick Public Schools, Warwick, Rhode Island
Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including confiscation of the personal
device.
Office phones are available for emergency use.
Adopted: 7/9/96
Revised: 8/26/99 and 4/29/04, 04/11/2019, 10/11/2022
LEGAL REFS.: General Laws of R.I., 16-21.2-11
General Laws of R.I., 16-21-33
Thank you for your cooperation with this policy as we together collaborate to create the most ideal learning environment for your child.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Cabana, Principal
