AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF)- South Carolina students will head back to the classroom next week with in person class starting on January 7th for most of the schools in our viewing area.
But those students will have a big change when they return to school- a ban on cell phone use during the school day.
That means kids cannot have their phones out at all during the school day and they have to be powered off. That includes during lunch or any other free time beginning with the morning tardy bell and ending with dismissal. It could even apply to the time students are on the bus.
The policy bans the use of all personal electronic devices which includes phones and any accessories like smart watches, bluetooth headphones or earbuds, gaming devices and tablets.
There are exceptions for medical reasons with a 504 plan and students who are volunteer firefighters or work for an emergency organization. Consequences for violators are strict but vary.
“Each and every incident will be treated individually. It depends on the circumstance. And so, for the first consequence, up to ISS, that first time. If we have some other interventions that are in place that the principle deems that are more effective for this child and that can be applied as well. Second time it’s still a phone violation so it’s up to multiple days of ISS. And the third time you could potentially be suspended out of school,” explained Dr. Corey Murphy, the Aiken County Public School District’s Superintendent.