Phone Free School

Taft is a “PHONE FREE SCHOOL”

At Taft, our mission is to foster an innovative and focused learning environment by integrating technology thoughtfully and effectively. We are dedicated to providing each student with a Chromebook to enhance their educational experience while ensuring a phone-free school atmosphere. This approach allows students to concentrate fully on their studies and engage deeply with digital tools and resources. By harnessing the power of individualized technology, we aim to cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, and digital literacy skills, preparing our students for success in a technology-driven world while maintaining a respectful and distraction-free learning space

What does it mean to be a PHONE FREE SCHOOL?

  • Personal Electronic Devices are to be stored away during the entire school day.
    • High School students may use their personal elecronic devices only during off campus lunch.
    • See Policy JFCEB-AR

What is a Personal Electroic Device?

  • A “personal electronic device (PED)” is a device that is capable of electronically communicating, sending,
    receiving, storing, recording, reproducing and/or displaying information and data.
  • Personal Electronic Devices examples include but are not limited to cellphones, smart watches, tablets, iPods, MP3 players, headphones, and gaming devices.

Can students bring their Personal Electric Devices to School?

  • Yes, Students may bring personal electronic devices at their own risk. Schools are not liable for loss, theft or damage to personal electronic devices brought to district property or school-sponsored events, or information or comments posted by students on social media.

Schoolwide Expectations: 

    • Non-Academic electronic devices are not to be used, seen, or heard during the school day for any reason. All personal devices as defined above, should be put away, turned off, and out of sight for the duration of the school day. 
    • Every student is assigned a personal Yondr Pouch. While the Yondr Pouch is considered school property, it is each student’s responsibility to bring their Pouch with them to school every day and keep it in good working condition.
    • Students will be issued a Yondr Pouch where they can store their non-academic personal devices for the duration of school day. 
    • Students will not willfully bypass district imposed restrictions using personal devices at any time while on district property or at district-sponsored activities.
    • Violations of these expectations will result in:
First offense: Minor Incident for technology violation, reteach/reminder of expectations, parent contact, electronic device confiscated and electronic device will be stored in the office to be picked up by the Student  at the end of the day. Second offense: Major incident for technology violation, reteach/reminder of expectations, parent contact, electronic device confiscated and electronic device will be stored in the office to be picked up by the parent/guardian at the end of the day. Third offense: Major Incident for technology violation, parent contact, electronic devices confiscated and will be  stored in the office to be picked up by the parent/guardian at the end of the day. Additional consequences (e.g., behavior contract, detention) will be assigned.

DAILY PROCESS

As students Arrive to School, they will: 

  1. Turn their phone off.
  2. Place their phone inside their pouch or backpack or locker
  3. Store their phone will be stored and off for the entire day.

As students Dismiss from School, they will:

  1. Students will exit either the north or south doors and open their pouch, or get phone from locker. 
  2. Remove their phone and put their pouch in their backpack (if using the pouch). 
  3. Students must bring their pouch to school with them each day or store their phone in their locker.  

If a student is Arriving Late or Leaving Early will verify their phone is “Off and Away”  in the Main Office when they sign-in/sign-out.  If a student is signing out of school then the office will need to be notified by a parent or guardian for safety and attendance purposes. 

Forgot Your Pouch

  • If a student forgets their Yondr Pouch, then the student will either be given a temporary replacement or their device will be placed in the office for the day. 
  • If a student consistently forgets their Pouch, it is considered Lost. Refer to the Lost Pouch policy below.

Lost, Stolen or Damaged

  • If a student loses or damages their Yondr Pouch then they will be charged $20.00 for a replacement
  • If a student’s pouch is stolen then they need to report it immediately to a staff member or administration. 

Resources:

Frequently Asked Questions
What if I want to reach my child during the school day?

  • We want our students to be engaged in their learning. If you need to contact your child during the school day, contact the main office at 541-996-2115.

What if there is a school emergency?

  • In case of a school emergency, we direct our students to safety first, following our school emergency preparedness protocol.

Will my student’s phone be safe?

  • Students are in possession of their phone – in their Yondr pouch, backpack or locker – for the entire school day.

Will students have their phones at Lunch?

  • All high school students will be able to “unpouch” their phone at lunch when they go off campus for lunch.  Upon returning to campus the phone free school policy will take place.