LWISD Personal Communication Device Policy
Policy Update:
In compliance with a new state law, House Bill 1481, passed by the Texas Legislature, students are prohibited from using personal communication devices while on school property during the school day.
The “school day” is defined as when a student enters the school building and ends when the dismissal bell rings. The ban includes classrooms, locker rooms, cafeterias, hallways, passing periods, and restrooms.
Lake Worth ISD did not prohibit students from bringing devices to school. However, students’ personal communication devices must be put away when entering the school building.
Students can continue to use school-issued Chromebooks and similar educational devices.
Exemptions:
Medical exemptions exist for some students supported by special education or 504 services.
Activities before and after the school day, such as riding the bus or extracurricular activities, are unaffected by the new law.
Prohibited Devices Include:
• Cell Phones
• Smart Watches
• Tablets
• Personal Laptops
• Headphones
• Earbuds
• Gaming Devices
• Radios
• Pagers
• Or any other personal electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication
Steps Students Will Need to Take:
• All Lake Worth ISD students must keep any personal communication devices in a backpack, handbag, or purse during the school day.
• Personal communication devices must remain out of sight, turned off, or kept in silent mode and unused during the entire school day, from when students enter the building until the dismissal bell.
Personal communication devices may be used by students after the dismissal bell.
How Parents Can Support Their Child:
• Contact the front office to have a message delivered to your child.
• Do not call or text your child during the school day.
• Speak to your child and encourage them to keep their personal communication devices stored during the school day.
• Promote the importance of students focusing on instruction.
Lake Worth ISD recognizes this will be a big change for our students and community, and appreciates the support of all parents to ensure this new policy, mandated by the State of Texas, is understood and followed by all students to ensure a smooth start to the school year.
Consequences for Violations
| Middle and High School Consequences: | |
| 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Offense | The parent/guardian is notified and must pick up the device after school. |
| 4 or more Offenses | The parent/guardian is notified and must pick up the device after school, lunch detention, and/or after-school detention. |
| High school students with more than 3 infractions for violation of the personal communication device policy during school hours will not be exempt from final exams. | |
| Elementary Consequences: | |
| 1st and 2nd Offense | The device is turned in to the front office, a written notice is sent to the parent/guardian, and the student picks up the device at the end of the school day. |
| 3rd and 4th Offense | The device is turned in to the front office, student office referral for conference, lunch, or recess detention, and the parent/guardian picks up the device from campus at the end of the school day. |
| 5 or more Offenses | The device is turned into the front office, a device intervention plan is created, a meeting with the parent/guardian and counselor is held, and the parent/guardian picks up the device from campus at the end of the school day. |
| Note: Confiscated devices not picked up within 90 days of notification will be discarded. Please claim your device promptly. | |