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Cell Phone Policy

Cell Phones/Electronic Devices/Laptops

Students will be asked to leave cell phones and other communication devices in their locker throughout the school day.

Cheatham County Schools Procedure

One of the Cheatham County School District’s goals is to create a welcoming, safe, and focused learning environment for students, and the best possible conditions for staff to support students.

Student cell phone use at school has been identified as a tremendous detriment to meeting that goal. Today’s youth battle constant distractions caused by cell phone alerts and messaging that interrupt their ability to focus, which creates a negative impact on school culture and learning.

Therefore, we wish to inform our students, parents and staff about our expectations regarding cell phones for the 2025-2026 school year.

Cell phones shall not be on a student’s person while in class. Schools may choose to meet this requirement in the following ways:

  • Students will be required to keep their cell phones in their lockers during the school day.
  • Additional restrictions may be implemented at each school.

We encourage students not to bring cell phones to school, and we will not be responsible for the student's personal cell phone.

Should a parent and/or guardian need to contact a student during the school day, they should call the school office.

Parents and/or guardians, we need your support in helping your child/children understand that being without their phone during the day has benefits to the learning environment and their overall academic success. Data also shows that limiting cell phone use can have positive benefits on student behavior, student mental health, and overall school safety.

We appreciate your cooperation and support as we enforce our policy to create a more focused and productive learning environment for our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your school's administration.

Smart Watches with access to the internet or connection to cellular data are not allowed.

Only wired headphones are allowed and may be used with teacher permission. Bluetooth or wireless headphones are not permitted.

See CCBOE Policy 6.312 for additional information

HMS Discipline Procedures for Electronic Devices

1st Offense:

  • 10 Points
  • Parent/Guardian is required to pick up the device before 4:00pm or it will be stored in the office vault until someone can pick it up.
  • If a student receives a cell phone infraction after 2:00pm, the phone will be released to the student.

2nd Offense:

  • 15 Points, Minimum 1 Day of Lunch ISS
  • Parent/Guardian is required to pick up the device before 4:00pm or it will be stored in the office vault until someone can pick it up.
  • If a student receives a cell phone referral after 2:00pm, the phone will be released to the student.

3rd Offense:

  • 20 Points, Minimum 1 Day of ISS
  • Parent/Guardian is required to pick up the device before 4:00pm or it will be stored in the office vault until someone can pick it up.
  • If a student receives a cell phone referral after 2:00pm, the phone will be released to the student.
  • Student will be required to turn in device for 30 days to the front office for the entire school day.

4th Offense:

  • 20 Points, Minimum 1 Day of OSS
  • Parent/Guardian is required to pick up the device before 4:00pm or it will be stored in the office vault until someone can pick it up.
  • If a student receives a cell phone referral after 2:00pm, the phone will be released to the student.
  • Student will be placed on a cell phone contract and required to turn in the device for 60 days to the front office for the entire school day.

5th Offense:

  • 20 Points, Minimum 2 Days of OSS
  • Parent/Guardian is required to pick up the device before 4:00pm or it will be stored in the office vault until someone can pick it up.
  • If a student receives a cell phone referral after 2:00pm, the phone will be released to the student.
  • Referral to SDHA

**Electronic devices offenses do not reset at the quarter. They accumulate the entire 2025-2026 school year.

**Electronic devices will not be returned to students at the end of the school day; parents/guardians are required to pick up the device. If the device is taken up at 2:00 pm or later, the student will receive the device.