From my daughter's high school:
1. Cell phones may not be used anywhere in the school building or on the school steps between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
2. Cell phones may not be used during outdoor school functions conducted on the grounds or in the stadium, such as P.E./Driver Ed classes, Student/Faculty games, Pep Rallies, Memorial Day program, etc. This policy also applies to field trips.
3. Cell phones must be kept in lockers, book bags or purses.
4. Cell phones must be turned completely off in the building and may not be used as calculators, cameras, for text messaging, videotaping or to check the date or time, etc.
STUDENTS IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE POLICY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:
First offense: The student’s cell phone will be confiscated for seven school days and they will receive five After School Detentions. The phone will be returned to the student after seven days. If a phone is picked up by the parent before the seven-day period is over, disciplinary action may include a five-day out of school suspension and the contract will be void.
Second offense: Students will receive a three-day out of school suspension and permanent loss of the privilege to bring a cell phone to school. Repeated violation: Further disciplinary action.
From my son's high school:
[Students may] possess cell phones provided the following procedures and rules are strictly adhered to:
1. THE USE OF CELL PHONES (OUT-GOING OR IN-COMING CALLS AND MESSAGES) AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. SUCH USE WILL RESULT IN CONFISCATION OF THE PHONE OR ELECTRONIC DEVICE. PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES CONFISCATED BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL WILL BE RETURNED ONLY TO THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN.
2. Parents should call the school for any emergency situation. We will contact your son/ daughter. DO NOT TRY TO CONTACT THEM BY CELL PHONE.
3. Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be turned off and kept in the student’s book bag or locker. At no time is it to be exposed on clothing or on the book bag.
4. The school will not be responsible for any lost, misplaced, or stolen cell phones or other electronic devices.
After the first offense, cell phones may be retrieved by the parent/guardian, from the MAIN OFFICE on Wednesday and Fridays ONLY between the hours of 3:30 and 4:30.
After the second offense, the phone is confiscated until the end of the school year.
These are stricter than when their older brother entered high school seven years ago, suggesting to me that cell phone usage is a bigger problem now than it was then. A five-day suspension for the student if his or her parent comes to retrieve a cell phone from the office before the seven-day confiscation period is up?
Seems harsh, but perhaps nothing short of this controls the problem, and perhaps it's lenient compared to policies at many other schools. What's the policy where you are?