Social Media Buzz: Amarillo ISD to Enforce Tighter Cell Phone Regulations

Back to school is just around the corner, which means the summer is almost over.  It is that time of year when you start registering your kids to go back to school.

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In fact, for Amarillo ISD, registration started on July 15th.  Since it is a new school year, changes to rules and policies do happen.

Recently a Reddit user posted a picture of what they claimed to be a new cell phone policy for students in Amarillo ISD High Schools.

AISD Adopts New High School Cell Phone Police
byu/CocaineEscapeTrain inamarillo

The AISD Student Handbook states,

Cell Phone Use
During state testing, all electronic devices will be collected by the test administrator and returned to the students after the testing. (For cell phone policy during testing see STANDARDIZED TESTING)

High school and middle school campus administrators shall have the discretion to determine the appropriate use of electronic devices outside the school day for students participating in extra-curricular activities while on school property or while attending school-sponsored or school-related activities on or off school property.  Teachers and administrators may confiscate electronic devices used in violation of this policy. Students who repeatedly violate this policy may be subject to established disciplinary measures.

• For each offense, the student’s parent or guardian will be notified that a device has been
confiscated.
• When a device has been confiscated during a semester, a $15.00 fee may be charged to return
the device. If the fee is not paid, the device will be kept by the school until the end of the school
year.
• Anytime a device is confiscated, $15.00 may be charged in order for the device to be returned.

However, before cell phone usage is stated in the handbook, it states.

Students must also sign a user agreement that contains applicable rules for use (separate from this handbook).

The new policy as pictured above may be a new set of rules for cell phone use in Amarillo ISD schools.  We reached out to Amarillo ISD to find out if this form was legitimate, and at the time of publishing, we had yet to receive word.  As soon as we do receive any response we will update this article.

UPDATED: Friday, July 19, 2024, 2:35 pm

Amarillo ISD sent a message to parents and students through Parent Square.

Amarillo ISD policy and code of conduct regarding cell phone use have not changed.  Out of concern for our students' well-being and to align with the latest research on the disruptive impact phones have on learning, we are refocusing our efforts to enforce the existing policy.

As the school day begins, students will power off and place their cell phones in their backpacks or purses, where they will remain throughout the school day as long as they are on campus.  When a parent needs to communicate with their child, they can email them on their district-issued Chromebook or call or go by the school office.

Teenagers Aren't Going to Like This

However, knowing this may be the new cell phone policy, you will probably want to prepare your kids.  Let them know now that their cell phone may be off-limits during the school day.