Interlake High School Cell Phone and Headphone Practice

In order to maintain a positive and thriving educational environment at Interlake High School, all cell phones will be put away during instructional time.  For the purposes of this practice, reference to “cell phones” includes cell phones, headphones, and ear buds.  The decision to adopt an IHS cell phone practice is in service to our core values of Integrity, Humanity, and Scholarship.

Integrity: All members of the Interlake community are principled; we operate in an environment that supports truth, respect, and honor. Removing cell phones from the classroom will limit opportunities for cheating, bullying, and other tech-enabled poor decisions.

Humanity: All members of the Interlake community treat others as they would like to be treated. Students and staff inspire each other through selfless actions, empathy, compassion, and kindness.  When cell phones are put away, students will focus, connect, and engage with each other more deeply.

Scholarship: All members of the Interlake community believe that scholarship is an internal desire to know more developed through collaborative and independent learning.  Without cell phones to distract them, students will spend less time out of class and more time in class focused on the content and learning activities.

Our Practice:

When you can use your cell phone: passing period, lunch, before and after school.

When you CANNOT use your cell phone: Cell phones are never to be used during class without the explicit, direct permission of the teacher.

Protocol for Cell Phones:

• Upon entering the classroom, cell phones should be on silent and not visible (teachers and students will agree upon the designated locations for cell phones. i.e., pockets or bookbags).
• Only retrieve your cell phone with explicit, direct permission from your teacher.

When expectations are NOT met:

Teachers will document in Synergy when students are not in compliance with the cell phone  practice. After a violation, best practice would be to discuss the reason(s) behind the noncompliance with the student and to share the incident with the family via email, phone call, or TalkingPoints.

Our behavior specialist will run a Synergy report of cell phone violations every Friday.

• Students who accumulate 5 cell phone violations will be assigned a 1-hour Attendance and Engagement workshop on Wednesday afternoon.
• Students who accumulate 10 cell phone violations will be assigned a second Attendance and Engagement workshops.
• Students who accumulate 15 cell phone violations will be required to leave their phone at home or turn their phone into the office for one month.  Administration will coordinate with parents/guardians on enforcement and interventions or support strategies moving forward.

Failure to comply with these consequences can result in In-School Suspension (ISS) for up to three days.

This practice is designed to be dynamic and adaptable based on our evolving understanding of what works best for our school community.  While we acknowledge that adjustments might be necessary as we gain more insights, the core framework of the policy will remain consistent.