Cell Phone and Personal Device Policy

Silent and Away Phone and Personal Device Guidance

Starting January 1, 2026, all Bend-La Pine schools are enforcing a policy that prohibits students from using or handling their phones and other personal electronic devices from the start of the first class period to the end of the last class period. For high school students, this Silent and Away policy is in effect during the entire instructional day, including during lunch and passing periods. This is the primary change from the District’s previous policy. Please find more information, including answers to frequently asked questions, on this webpage.

This policy applies to all levels - elementary, middle, and high school.

Guidance

High School students are not allowed to access cell phones or personal electronic devices during the school day: from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. (8:45-2:15 on School Improvement Wednesdays). This applies to the following personal devices:

• Smartphones and Web-enabled flip phones
• Cellular-capable tablets and e-readers
• Smart glasses
• Bluetooth-connected headphones or earbuds

Students who bring cell phones or personal electronic devices to school must make sure they are silent and stored in their locker, backpack or car for the entirety of the school day. These devices are not allowed in a pocket, cross-body bag, or binder/notebook. Students may access their devices before or after school.

Students may not use smartwatches or personal laptops to access mobile apps or to send and receive messages during the school day.

School staff will collect the personal electronic devices of students who access them in violation of this policy. See the Frequently Asked Questions section here for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we have this new policy?

In July 2025, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 25-09, which formalized new statewide guidelines that all Oregon public school districts are legally required to follow. This change aims to protect student mental health, reduce distractions to teaching and learning, and improve learning outcomes in classrooms.

What are personal electronic devices?

Personal Electronic Devices are any portable electrically powered device that is capable of:

• Making and receiving calls
• Making and receiving text messages
• Accessing the Internet independently from the school’s network infrastructure

This means students may no longer use the following personal devices during the school day, from the start of the first class period to the end of the last class period:

• Smartphones
• Web-enabled flip phones
• Cellular-capable tablets and e-readers (except those the District provides)
• Smartwatches
• Smart glasses
• Bluetooth connected headphones or earbuds

Smartwatches: Students may wear them but not use them to access mobile apps or to send and receive messages.

Laptops: Students may be allowed to use a personal laptop during the school day for approved educational purposes, but not to access mobile apps or to send and receive personal messages.

Earbuds: Earbuds are not allowed as they function as an extension of other personal electronic devices. If a student needs access to headphones to access instructional materials or support, they will be provided school headphones to use with their District-issued iPad.

Where can cell phones and other personal devices be kept during the school day?

Students may choose to leave their cell phones and other personal devices at home.

If they bring them to school, all devices must be silenced and put away from the first bell to the last bell. Away means: in your backpack, your locker, or your vehicle.

Phones and other personal devices may not be kept in your pocket, a cross-body bag, or elsewhere on your person. Devices also may not be kept in a binder or notebook that is accessible during class time.

School staff should not see any phones or personal devices out on campus during school hours. If school staff see a student accessing their phone during school hours, the phone will be collected.

Are there any exceptions to the policy?

Exceptions will be granted only in very rare instances, as requested by a medical provider due to specific medical conditions, such as:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Hearing devices
• Assistive learning technology

These exceptions require official documents and approved plans.

What if we need a personal device for learning in class?

Most times your iPad is sufficient for class work. There are rare exceptions when your teacher may approve the use of a phone, such as college and career planning in the Future Center.

Personal devices may not be used on campus during the school day for:

• Watching videos for class
• Canvas/StudentVUE
• Coursework
• Research

How will families and students communicate with each other during the school day or in an emergency?

Many of us have become accustomed to instant communication with our families, so we know that students not having access to their phones and personal electronic devices will be a change for everyone.

There are many ways families and students can plan for effective communication, including the following:

• Engaging in communication outside of the school day.
• Contacting the school office if a student needs to be picked up for a doctor’s appointment or if there is other important time-dependent information.
• Students can access phones in the school office if there is an emergency situation during the day and they need to contact their families.
• The school office can directly contact parents/caregivers, or they can call the school and we will ensure the student receives the message promptly.

We will continue to work to ensure that our school offices are staffed appropriately to support any necessary communication with your students during the day.

In the event of a school emergency, the district has robust procedures in place to communicate with families around the status of the situation and what to do next to keep everyone safe in the situation. Learn more about district safety processes here.

What if I need to communicate with my job or my coach?

Please communicate with your boss or coach in advance. Check SportsYou before or after school. We will communicate with you if there are sports changes during the school day.

How will I make plans with my friends?

Talk with your friends before school and decide on a meeting spot and time.

What happens if a student violates this policy?

The following will help students and families understand the escalating steps and support provided for non-compliance with the new “Silent and Away” personal device policy:

First Offense

• Device goes to the main office, returned at the end of school day
• The school contacts parents/guardians

Second Offense

• Device goes to the main office, returned at the end of school day
• The school contacts parents/guardians
• Student assigned lunch detention or Technology Use Plan

Third Offense

• Device goes to the main office
• A parent/guardian must pick up the device at the end of school day
• The school schedules a team meeting with the parents/guardians and student to create Technology Use Plan
• Daily device check-in (Main Office) recommended