Scituate High School is committed to fostering a focused and engaging learning environment, promoting positive social interactions, and supporting the mental well-being of our students. To achieve these goals, we have implemented an "Away for the Day" cell phone initiative.

This initiative applies to all students, during the official school day, from the first bell to the final dismissal bell. During the school day PEDs should be off and stored out of sight. High school students may have the privilege of PEDs during their high school lunch wave. Upon returning from lunch, students should secure devices in the designated areas (locker, backpack, or classroom storage area).

A “Personal Electronic Device” or “P.E.D.” refers to all laptops, tablets, and desktop computers; smartphones; wearables such as smartwatches, earbuds, or headphones; or any other electronic device that connects to the internet or a wireless network or that run software or programming of any kind and that are owned by students and families, not by the Scituate School District. PEDs must be away for the day. This means devices must be

• Turned completely off or silenced.

• Stored out of sight in a locker, backpack, or designated classroom storage area (e.g., cell phone caddy). Not in a purse, or handbag.

• Inaccessible for personal use in any classroom setting.

Consistent enforcement is critical to the success of this initiative. A violation means that a student removes a cellphone/ PED out of their backpack and/or the designated classroom holder, at any point, during a class period. Violations will result in the following actions:

• First Offense: The device will be confiscated by school staff and held in the main office and will be returned to the student at the dismissal bell. Parents/guardians will be notified.

• Second Offense: The device will be confiscated by school staff and held in the main office and will be returned to the student at the dismissal bell. Parents/guardians will be notified. A school consequence will be issued 

• Third and Subsequent Offenses: The device will be confiscated and held in the main office. A parent/guardian will be required to pick up the device. Further disciplinary action will be taken, which may include in school detention, and/or social suspension, and/or requiring the student to check their phone into the main office daily upon arrival for a designated period of time. 

Any misuse of a device for bullying, cheating, or accessing inappropriate content will result in immediate and more severe disciplinary action, in accordance with the school's code of conduct.

Being Late to Class Due to PED Use:

Devices should be off or silenced and stored out of sight (in a locker, backpack, or designated classroom storage space). High school students may have the privilege of using personal devices during hallway passing time and at their high school lunch wave. Once the late bell rings, passing time ends and class time begins. The policies regarding PEDs in the hall after the late bell are the same as their use in the classroom.

Lunch and Cafeteria:  

Students will be allowed the privilege to responsibly use their cellphone/PED while at their lunch wave.  This is a privilege that will be revoked on an individual basis or school-wide basis if cellphone/PEDs are being used inappropriately. 

Bathroom/Nurse/School Counseling Suite:

Students will not be able to bring their cell phone/PED with them when they leave the room unless directed by an administrator, staff member, or medical requirement (such as when a device is used for medical monitoring). The devices must remain in backpacks or in the classroom pouch.

We understand that there may be legitimate needs for device use. Exceptions will be made in the following circumstances:

• Medical necessity: For students with a documented medical plan (e.g., IEP, 504 plan) that requires access to a device for health monitoring or communication. Parents/guardians must provide relevant documentation to the school office.

• Teacher-directed instructional use: A teacher may explicitly permit the use of a device for a specific educational activity or project within the classroom. This use will be supervised and limited to the designated task.

• Emergency situations: In the event of a school-wide emergency, students will be directed by staff on appropriate communication protocols. For individual student emergencies, parents can reach their child by calling the main office. Messages will be delivered promptly.

We encourage parents/guardians to communicate with their children through the main office during school hours if an urgent message needs to be relayed. This helps us maintain a consistent learning environment for all students.

We appreciate the cooperation of our students and families in adhering to this "Away for the Day" initiative, which we believe will significantly enhance the educational experience at Scituate High School.