Cell Phone Free Expectations
An important change is coming to CPS Middle and High Schools that will impact the day-to-day experience for secondary students and staff, which begins in the 2024-2025 school year.
Starting August 19, 2024, CPS will not allow the use of Personal Electronic Devices, such as cell phones, in middle schools and high schools.
What does this mean?
- From 7:25 am to 2:35 pm, for our middle schools, all cell phones and personal electronic devices must be in backpacks or pockets, out of sight.
- From 8:55 am to 4:05 pm, for our high schools, all cell phones and personal electronic devices must be in backpacks or pockets, out of sight during class time.
- Accommodations will be made for students who require a personal electronic device for medical assistance.
(All changes are consistent with district Policy EHBA.)
We have seen in our buildings that cell phones, earbuds, and other personal electronic devices do not often serve a helpful academic purpose. We have a responsibility to respond to the growing issues of cyberbullying while also fostering healthy hallways and classrooms.
To better ensure the safety and emotional well-being of all students, and to comply with district policy, we will be “cell phone free” secondary schools, starting in August 2024.
We wanted to share this information before the start of the 2024-25 school year so that students, families, and staff may know the efforts we are taking to ensure all students have a safe and predictable learning environment.
We also invite our CPS families to join our campaign to minimize the use of personal electronic devices by supporting our teachers and having conversations about this process with their students at home. Our top priority will always be providing impactful learning opportunities for our students. In CPS, we believe part of that process includes more consistent and strict monitoring of cell phone and mobile device use.
- High School: Cell Phone Free
- High School: Cell Phone Expectations
- Middle School: Cell Phone Free
- Middle School: Cell Phone Expectations
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your building principal. Questions may also be shared by calling Executive Director of Secondary Education Adam Taylor at the CPS District Office at 573-214-3400.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there any exceptions to these expectations?
- Is there a Columbia Public Schools Board Policy regarding Personal Devices?
- How can parents contact their children during school hours?
- How will this expectation benefit students?
- What are the consequences for violating this policy?
- What are the Secondary Cell Phone Free Expectations?
- What if a student needs their phone for educational purposes?
- What is defined as a Personal Electronic Device?
- What should students do with their cell phones during school hours?
- Where can the cell phones/electronic devices be utilized?
- Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns about this policy?
- Who set(s) Secondary Cell Phone Free Expectations?
- Why are these expectations being implemented?