Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices

District Messages

Deer Creek Students, Staff and Families,

As you may know, Oklahoma legislators recently passed a new law that will prohibit students across the state from using their cell phones and other personal electronic devices while on campus during the school day next school year. As required by the law, our Board of Education approved a policy last night, Monday, June 9, 2025, regarding local guidelines for this new mandate. The policy can be read here.

Ultimately, the purpose of this effort is to protect instructional time and to help students learn better by minimizing distractions during the school day.

In Deer Creek, our Pre-K through sixth-grade students have not had access to personal electronic devices during the school day. For our seventh through twelfth-grade students, we understand this will be a big change and will require flexibility and patience from everyone involved. By communicating about the law early this summer, we hope to allow students, families and staff the opportunity to prepare to implement the policy when school begins on August 14, 2025.

While detailed information will be available by late July, here are the facts we can share with you now:

The law requires that schools be free of personal device use from “bell to bell.” This includes the length of our school day.
The law applies to personal cell phones and other personal electronic devices, including – but not limited to – smart watches, smart glasses, laptops, tablets and smart headphones (including AirPods). It does not apply to school-issued or school-approved devices.
Students who violate board policy will face disciplinary consequences.
There are exceptions to the law, allowing the use of a device for:
- Emergency use of cell phones or personal electronic devices by students during the school day as determined by school or district administrators. This includes, but is not limited to:
  - Medical emergencies– calling 911 or a parent if a student or someone nearby is having a severe health crisis (i.e. asthma attack, allergic reaction, seizure); or
  - Natural disaster or lockdown– communicating with law enforcement or family during events like tornados, fires, lockdowns, or other emergencies affecting the school
- Use of cell phones or personal electronic devices by students who use them to monitor life-threatening health issues (i.e. diabetic monitors, seizures, heart condition)
Students may use personal electronic devices while on the school bus as long as they adhere to the provisions stated within the board policy.

Please watch for detailed information later this summer about this new policy. Although it will be an adjustment, we believe the change will have a positive impact on our schools and our students.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and support. Deer Creek Administration

Board Policy JFCK STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The district requires that all individuals devote their full attention to education while at school or during educational activities. Personal electronic devices are defined as a personal device capable of connecting to a smart phone, the Internet, or a cellular or Wi-Fi network, or directly connecting to another similar device. This includes, but not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, laptops, recorders, smart watches, smart headphones, tablets and smart glasses. Personal electronic devices shall not include school-issued or school-approved devices that are specifically limited for use in classroom instruction. Personally-owned electronic devices (i.e. iPad, electronic toys, gaming devices) are not permitted on school property without the expressed written permission of the building principal or other administrator.

Personal electronic devices shall be turned off and out-of-sight from the start of the school day until the end of the school day. Students may use personal electronic devices while on the school bus as long as they adhere to the provisions stated within this policy. The use of any audio/visual recording and camera features are strictly prohibited in private areas. Students who observe a violation of this provision shall immediately report this conduct to a teacher, coach, or the building principal.

Exceptions to the policy may include:

Emergency use of cell phones or personal electronic devices by students during the school day as determined by school or district administrators. This includes, but is not limited to:
1. Medical emergencies– calling 911 or a parent if a student or someone nearby is having a severe health crisis (i.e. asthma attack, allergic reaction, seizure); or
2. Natural disaster or lockdown– communicating with law enforcement or family during events like tornados, fires, lockdowns, or other emergencies affecting the school
Use of cell phones or personal electronic devices by students who use them to monitor life-threatening health issues (i.e. diabetic monitors, seizures, heart condition)

Possessing, taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal images, photographs, or communications, whether by electronic data transfer or otherwise (commonly called texting, sexting, emailing, and other modes of electronic or digital communication) may constitute a crime under state and/or federal law. Any person possessing, taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing obscene, pornographic, lewd or otherwise illegal images, photographs, or communications will be reported to law enforcement and/or other appropriate state or federal agencies, which may result in arrest, criminal prosecution, and inclusion of sexual offender registries.

Participation in the creation or distribution of pictures, video or any other media that impersonates another student, district employee, or district patron without prior consent is strictly prohibited. Students who observe a violation of this provision shall immediately report this conduct to a teacher, coach, or the building principal.

Students who violate this policy will have their personal wireless device confiscated until after a parent conference has taken place. The student may also lose the privilege of possessing such a device for the remainder of the school year. Students are also subject to other disciplinary action.

Students may not use any personal wireless device:

For any purpose related to academic dishonesty;
To record conversations or events during the school day, on school property or at school activities where specifically prohibited;
To threaten, harass, intimidate, or bully student/staff during or after school hours;
To take, possess, or distribute obscene or pornographic images or photos;
To engage in lewd communications;
To violate school policies, handbook provisions, or regulations.

AMENDED: 8/10/92, 9/11/89, 3/24/03, 4/23/08, 5/14/07, 3/12/12, 6/30/16, 8/8/19, 8/3/23, 5/13/24, 6/9/25

SOURCE: 70 O.S.1-126, 70 O.S.24-101.1, et seq. 70 O.S.24-102

DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT