From Arrival to Dismissal
“Bell-to-bell” means the entire regular school day, including lunch, study hall, assemblies, and the time between classes.
Cell Phones & Personal Devices
Student and Family Information
Cell Phones & Personal Devices
Personal phones and other student-owned electronic devices must be turned off and put away from arrival through dismissal. This page explains which devices students may not use, how the QuietCase procedure works, and when an approved exception may apply.
Policy at a Glance
Phones Go in the QuietCase
Students must turn off their phones and lock them in a QuietCase when they arrive. The case stays closed until dismissal.
School Devices Are Different
School-issued Chromebooks and other school technology may be used only for assigned schoolwork and only when a staff member directs students to use them.
The QuietCase is the normal daily phone-storage procedure—not a punishment. A student may receive a consequence for refusing to use it, hiding a phone, opening it during the day, damaging it, or using a device to break another school rule.
Daily QuietCase Procedure
- Turn the phone completely off. Silent mode, airplane mode, and “Do Not Disturb” do not count as powered off.
- Place it in the QuietCase when you arrive. Put the phone inside the assigned school-issued case and lock it as directed by staff.
- Do not open or access the QuietCase. The phone must remain unavailable during class, passing periods, lunch, study hall, assemblies, and every other part of the regular school day.
- Tell a staff member about a problem immediately. If the QuietCase is missing, damaged, or will not lock, report it when you arrive. Staff will provide another approved storage option.
- Unlock only at dismissal. Use the approved unlocking station or follow staff directions before leaving school.
Do not force, cut, bend, pry open, mark, disable, trade, or intentionally damage a QuietCase or its locking mechanism.
Personal Devices Students Must Put Away
This section is about personal devices students bring to school—not school-issued Chromebooks or other school-owned technology.
In simple terms, if a personal device can call, text, connect to the internet, play games or media, take pictures or video, record audio, or connect to another personal device, students may not use or access it during the regular school day.
Students may not wear, check, listen to, message with, photograph with, record with, play on, or otherwise use the following personal devices from arrival through dismissal:
Phones & Communication Devices
- Cell phones and smartphones
- Smartwatches that can call, text, message, or connect to the internet
- Personal messaging devices
Personal Computers & Entertainment Devices
- Personal tablets, laptops, and e-readers
- Handheld gaming systems and other gaming devices
- Personal media players
Audio, Camera & Recording Devices
- Wireless earbuds and personal headphones
- Bluetooth speakers
- Personal cameras, smart glasses, and voice recorders
Internet & Connected Devices
- Personal hotspots
- Fitness trackers with calling, messaging, or internet features
- Any similar student-owned electronic device
What students must do: Cell phones must be turned off and locked in the QuietCase. Other personal devices must be turned off and stored out of sight in a backpack, locker, or another location directed by school staff.
School-issued technology: A school-issued Chromebook or other school-owned device may be used only for assigned schoolwork and only when a teacher or staff member directs students to use it.
Personal-device use is allowed only when the school has approved a specific exception or when authorized school or emergency personnel direct the student to use the device.
When a Personal Device May Be Allowed
A student may use a personal device during the school day only when the school has approved a specific exception or when authorized staff direct the student to use it. An exception may apply for:
- An accommodation in an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Implementation of a Section 504 Plan
- A documented student health plan or medical need
- Approved translation services
- Documented student-caregiver responsibilities
- A specific purpose for which no reasonable alternative exists
- A circumstance required by law
- An emergency or direction from authorized school or emergency personnel
Requesting an Exception
A parent or guardian should contact the school before the student uses the device. Requests involving an IEP, Section 504 Plan, or health need will be reviewed by the appropriate school team and may require documentation. The approval will explain when, where, and how the device may be used.
Contact the Main Office at 908-251-6467 to begin the request process.
Examples of Device Rule Violations
Students are expected to follow the personal-device and QuietCase procedures every school day. The following actions do not follow the school’s device rules:
- Refusing or failing to turn off and secure a phone in the QuietCase
- Hiding a phone or keeping an unsecured phone during the school day
- Opening, bypassing, or accessing the QuietCase before dismissal
- Tampering with, trading, disabling, or damaging a QuietCase
- Using or checking a personal device without an approved exception
- Wearing or using personal earbuds, headphones, or a smartwatch during the school day
- Taking pictures, recording audio, or recording video without authorization
- Using a device to cheat, bully, harass, threaten, or invade another person’s privacy
Device-related incidents are addressed under the school’s Student Code of Conduct and any other policy connected to the behavior. This page does not list disciplinary consequences.
Family Communication & Emergencies
Contacting a Student
Families should not call or message a student’s personal phone during the school day because the phone must remain off and locked. For an urgent or time-sensitive message, call the Main Office at 908-251-6467. Staff will follow school procedures to reach the student.
During an Emergency
Students must follow directions from school staff and emergency personnel. During a lockdown, evacuation, or other emergency, using a phone without permission can interfere with safety directions and official communication. Students may use a device only when authorized or directed.
Student & Family Responsibilities
Students
- Bring the assigned QuietCase each school day.
- Power off and secure the phone upon arrival.
- Keep all other personal devices turned off, out of sight, and inaccessible.
- Report a QuietCase problem immediately.
- Use school-issued technology only as directed.
- Follow staff directions at dismissal and during emergencies.
Parents & Guardians
- Review the policy and daily procedure with the student.
- Avoid contacting the student on a personal device during school hours.
- Use the Main Office for urgent communication.
- Request an exception through the appropriate school process.
- Support timely return or replacement of a lost or damaged QuietCase.
- Participate in conferences or intervention plans when needed.
Students remain responsible for any personal device they bring to school. Bringing a device to school does not give a student permission to use it during the school day.
Frequently Asked Questions
May students use phones during lunch, study hall, or passing periods?
No. The rule begins when students arrive and continues through dismissal. It includes lunch, study hall, passing periods, assemblies, and every other part of the regular school day.
May a student use a phone when a teacher says it is for class?
Not by teacher permission alone. A personal device may be used only through an approved exception or when the principal, chief school administrator, or designee authorizes it because no reasonable school-provided option is available. Students should use school-issued technology whenever it is available.
May students listen to music during independent work?
A teacher or administrator may allow music through school-issued technology. Students may not use a personal phone, personal earbuds, or personal headphones unless the school has approved a specific exception.
What happens when a QuietCase is missing or does not lock?
The student must report the problem immediately upon arrival. Staff will inspect the QuietCase and provide a replacement case or another approved storage option. A normal malfunction is not treated the same as intentionally damaging or tampering with the case.
Can a smartwatch be used for a medical condition?
Yes, when the school has documented and approved its use through an IEP, Section 504 Plan, student health plan, or another authorized process. The approval will explain when and how the smartwatch may be used.
What should families do during a school emergency?
Follow official school communications and avoid directing students to access their phones unless school or emergency personnel authorize it. Families may call the Main Office at 908-251-6467 when direct assistance is needed.