Dear Purcell Public Schools Parents,
I am writing to inform you about an important change in state law regarding personal electronic devices in schools and its impact on our district's policy. As many of you know, the Purcell Board of Education has always been committed to providing an optimal learning environment for our students. In alignment with this commitment, the Board approved revisions to our Personal Electronic Devices policy (FNG) at the June 9 meeting.
A new state law now explicitly bans cell phones and personal electronic devices "bell to bell" on the campus of a public school district in the 2025-2026 school year. This means that from the first bell ringing at the start of the school day until the dismissal bell at the end of the school day, students are prohibited from utilizing these devices.
We understand that this may be a significant adjustment for some families. However, it is important to understand that this is now a state law that we, as a school district, are required to follow.
I want to highlight some key points that will help you understand the purpose and implications of this new law:
Focus on Learning: This law reinforces our goal of creating a "cell phone free zone" in classrooms, allowing students to fully engage in instruction without the distractions that personal electronic devices can create. Our classrooms should be environments where students can focus entirely on their studies and interact directly with their teachers and peers.
Existing Practices Elevated to Law: For those with students in Purcell High School and Junior High, you may recall that we already had restrictions on cell phone usage during the school day. This new state law now makes these restrictions explicit and applies them consistently across all grade levels in our district.
What Constitutes a "Personal Electronic Device"? This includes, but is not limited to, smart watches, smart headphones, laptops, tablets, and smart glasses that are capable of connecting to a smartphone, the Internet, or a cellular or Wi-Fi network. School-issued or school-approved devices that are specifically limited for use in classroom instruction are exempt from this policy
Emergency Situations and Health Needs: The law does include specific exceptions for emergency use where immediate communication is needed for safety or urgent personal matters, such as medical emergencies or natural disasters. Additionally, students who use devices to monitor health issues, such as glucose levels, may continue to do so. Students with special needs whose Individualized Education Program (IEP), Medical Plan, or 504 Plan explicitly requires a device as assistive technology for medically or educationally necessary purposes are also exempt.
We believe this new law will create a more focused and productive learning environment for all students. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we implement these important changes.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's school administration.