Families may want their students to have cell phones or smart watches for emergencies, so we want to make sure all families are aware of our school policy regarding devices. 

• Students bring devices to school at their own risk.
• Devices that are capable of calling, taking photos, texting, and playing games/music (phones and smart watches) are not permitted to be used during school hours from 7:55am to 2:25pm. 
• Student cell phones or smart watches should be stored away in backpacks during school. Students who are sick or need to communicate with their parents should talk to a school adult who can communicate through standard school channels.
• Staff will confiscate all such devices if students use them during the school day on school property and the student is responsible to retrieve them at the end of the day.

SPS Student Use of Personal Device Policy

On May 13, 2024, the Superintendent authorized an update to Superintendent Procedure 2022SP – Electronic Resources/Use of the Internet. Here is a link to our updated procedure: Superintendent Procedure 2022SP 

This procedure updates the Student Use of Personal Device Policy (formerly known as: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).   

Based on the May 2024 updated Superintendent Procedure 2022SP, only SPS-issued laptops are permitted for use in classroom instruction, assignments, assessments, and testing, based on the following reason(s): 

• With every student having a standard device, the district can maintain equity for all students and continuity of the educational and classroom environment for teachers. 
• Personal devices cannot be managed or supported on the district network 
• District devices have applications that are subject to licensing agreements which do not permit installation on personal devices, including Classroom Management Systems (CMS) 
• Personally owned devices may not provide the same safeguards to help prevent inappropriate online conduct 
• Students do not have an absolute right to possess or use personal electronic devices (laptops and tablets) at school. School staff may further restrict the use of personal electronic devices on school grounds and during the school day absent an approved accommodation that addresses a specific and articulated student need (e.g. assistive technology) 
• The district centrally manages updates and provides a consistent security posture across district devices 
• The district wireless network has been optimized for a high-density environment and works best with a SPS-supplied district device.