Join me in helping reverse this new Worcester Public Schools cell phone policy, we need support to reverse it. Please sign and I plan to present to the new school committee. HELP ME CHANGE THIS !!!! #saveourphones2016

The new rule is as follows:

"Rule 14. - Cell Phones, Electronic Devices, and Laser Pointing Devices While on school premises or at a school sponsored event, a student shall not, without expressed permission of appropriate school personnel, use any cell phone, smart phone, tablet, camera or any other type of electronic device which may potentially be disruptive of school activities or a distraction to students. Electronic devices shall include any cell phone, smart phone, tablet or anything powered by electricity and is suitable for communicating any oral, voice, audio or text messages or postings or for recording or communicating any audio, voice, picture, image or video imagery. Students are not permitted to have their cell phones or electronic devices powered while in school. "

The new discipline for this policy:

"This cell phone policy may be enforced by the principal, any teacher (including substitutes) or by any other school official or employee designated by the principal. Enforcement personnel shall have the right to confiscate any cell phone or electronic device possessed or used in violation of the Code of Conduct. Penalties for students found in violation of the policy will be as follows:

-First offense: Student’s cell phone/electronic device will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day. 

-Second and subsequent offenses: Student’s cell phone/electronic device will be confiscated and returned only to the student’s parents or guardians. Any such parent or guardian may, within five days of any such confiscation, request a hearing to determine the validity of the violation of the Code of Conduct and resulting confiscation of the cell phone/electronic device. In such event the principal shall designate a hearing officer who shall:

1) give the student and/or his or her parents/guardians an opportunity to present their case;

2) hear or review the incident report from the enforcing person and any other person with relevant information; and

3) provide a recommendation to the principal as to whether there is a reasonable basis to conclude that the cell phone policy of the Code of Conduct was violated by the student. Regardless of any request for a hearing, any confiscated cell phone/electronic device shall be returned to the parent/guardian at the first opportunity and shall not be dependent on the scheduling or outcome of any hearing.

- Student committing repeated violations of this policy may be subject to additional disciplinary action, consistent with the Worcester Public Schools Code of Conduct up to and including suspension from school. "