BPS Implements Cell Phone Plan for the New School Year

As the new school year begins in Bellevue, Bellevue Public Schools is implementing a plan regarding cell phones and non-district electronic devices in the classroom.

Each year a district survey is sent to the entire Bellevue Public Schools staff to find out what their thoughts are on how the district is doing – what is going well and what could be improved on. In a statement, the district noted that “after receiving feedback from surveys, it became clear from staff, there is a need to help maximize instructional time, increase academic engagement, and find ways to reduce outside distractions.”

Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, the district has made a notable addition to the Student & Family Handbook that every parent receives:

To ensure a positive, supportive and disruption-free learning environment, Bellevue Public Schools will implement a cell phone and non-district electronic device plan beginning in the new school year.

We’ve found in our research there are numerous recent studies concluding that excessive cell phone use causes adverse mental health and social-emotional outcomes in addition to a lack of academic engagement. Bellevue Public Schools will implement consistent electronic device expectations across the school district to help reduce the number of outside distractions, including cyber bullying, during the school day to maximize instructional time.

Grade-level Expectations

High School: 

• The district cell phone and non-district electronic device plan is in effect during school hours. 
• Personal cell phones and non-district electronic devices are prohibited from bell to bell during classroom blocks. 
• Students will be reminded regularly that they are to enter the classroom with personal cell phones and non-district electronic devices silent and out of sight. 
• Students may use their devices before/after school, passing periods and lunch. 
• Schools are not responsible for the loss or damage of personal cell phones or non-district electronic devices.
• Parents/guardians who need to communicate information to their children during school hours are encouraged to contact the main office.
• District-issued iPads need to be fully charged and available for classroom use. 
• Students who need to have electronic devices in order to monitor health conditions will continue to follow their individualized, documented plans that have been communicated through the school. 

Middle and Elementary Schools:

• All middle school and elementary school students will keep cell phones and non-district electronic devices turned off and kept in their backpacks during the school day. 
• Schools are not responsible for the loss or damage of personal cell phones or non-district electronic devices. 
• Parents/guardians who need to communicate information to their children during school hours are encouraged to contact the main office. 
• District-issued iPads need to be fully charged and available for classroom use. 
• Students who need to have electronic devices in order to monitor health conditions will continue to follow their individualized, documented plans that have been communicated through the school.

High School Classroom Procedure

If a student uses a personal electronic device during the high school block the following sequence of consequences will be applied. (Compliance at any step will prevent movement to the next step.)

• Step 1: Staff will ask the student to put their electronic device in the teacher designated storage location in the classroom. (Does not count as an electronic device infraction if the student complies with the teacher’s request). If the student complies, the student will get their device back at the end of the block. Repetitive daily teacher warnings may result in parent/guardian contact and/or classroom consequence. If the student does not comply, move to Step 2.
• Step 2: The teacher will contact the office, send the student down with their device, and the device will be collected to remain in the office for the remainder of the day. If the device is turned into the office, the student will return to class.  If the student does not comply, move to Step 3. 
• Step 3: Parent/Guardian will be contacted for further intervention. If the device is not turned in, the student will not be allowed to return to class.

Habitual Non-Compliance – Students that consistently fail to meet these expectations and receive repetitive office referrals will be subject to a daily check in of personal cell phones or non-district electronic devices and further progressive discipline.

Information continues to be shared with staff, students, and families as the new school year begins and everyone adjusts to the plan.