Cell Phone Policy
Scholar Cell Phone Guidelines
To promote an optimal learning and social atmosphere within Uplift Education, scholars are required to refrain from using any personal communication device (including cell phones, smartwatches, wireless headphones, ear buds, personal computers, tablets, and iPads) throughout the school day. In alignment with House Bill 1481, recently passed by the Texas Legislature (June 2025), which prohibits the use of cell phones during instructional time and encourages secure storage solutions, Uplift is implementing a developmentally appropriate policy that reflects both legal requirements and educational best practices.
At some campuses, each scholar will be issued a personal “Lock & Store” pouch labeled with their name. Scholars are expected to carry their pouch daily and return it in good condition at the end of the academic year. Campuses not using “Lock & Store” pouches will provide specific guidelines on how devices are to be stored during the school day.
Statement of Expectations
Campus administrators will clearly communicate expectations and reinforce the importance of maintaining a distraction-free learning environment. They will monitor cell phone, smartwatch, and wireless headphone/earbud violations to determine when additional support or reinforcement is needed.
Any headphone use during class time must be approved by the classroom teacher. Uplift remains committed to minimizing educational distractions caused by personal devices during instructional time.
Uplift’s continued focus will be on the mitigation of educational distractions precipitated by the use of cell phones, smartwatches, and wireless headphones/earbuds during instructional time.
At the Beginning of the School Day:
- Upon entering the school premises, scholars must turn off their cell phones.
- Once on site, scholars must adhere to their individual campus procedures for personal device storage.
Throughout the School Day:
- Cell phones, smartwatches, and wireless headphones/earbuds must be stowed away for the entirety of the school day.
- In the event of leaving campus for an appointment, devices may be retrieved but then must be stowed away upon returning to campus.
- No device use is allowed in restrooms, testing environments, or during emergency drills.
- Accessing your cell phone, smartwatch, wireless headphones/earbuds anywhere on campus during the school day is strictly prohibited.
Conclusion of the School Day:
- Upon the conclusion of the school day, scholars should retrieve all devices that have been stowed away and not leave any devices at the school overnight.
- After exiting the school building, scholars may use their cell phones, smartwatches, and wireless headphones/earbuds.
Damaged Pouches
For schools using “Lock & Store” pouches, if a scholar has a damaged pouch, please contact a school administrator immediately to ensure that you can receive a replacement pouch. If the damaged pouch is because of malice, negligence, or intentional acts, a scholar will be subject to consequences established in the Uplift Scholar Code of Conduct and may result in paying restitution.
Consequences
If a scholar’s cell phone, smartwatch, or wireless headphones/earbuds are visible at any time during the day (e.g., using a device, not storing it in a “Lock & Store” pouch or according to campus policy, etc.):
- 1st Offense: Verbal reminder and parent notification
- 2nd Offense: Device held in front office until end of day; parent contacted
- 3rd Offense: Conference with family and implementation of a device check-in plan
Consequences for Visible Devices or Pouch Tampering
- 1st Offense: Device confiscated, parent notified, behavior contract signed; device returned to parent/guardian
- 2nd Offense: Device confiscated, parent notified, incident documented, and scholar assigned a detention
- 3rd Offense: Device confiscated, parent meeting scheduled, incident documented, supportive measures (i.e., LIFT Center or device turned into an administrator or the office upon arriving at school) are applied.
- 4th Offense: Device confiscated, parent notified, incident documented, and 1-3 days of In-School Suspension is assigned, coupled with a reflection activity
- 5th Offense or More: Device confiscated, incident documented and treated as a level 3 infraction (Out of School Suspension may apply); parent meeting required upon return to school
Consequences for Violations:
- 1st Offense: Device confiscated, parent notified, incident documented; device returned to parent/guardian
- 2nd Offense: Device confiscated, incident documented and returned at end of day to parent; detention issued to scholar
- 3rd Offense: Device confiscated, parent pickup required, discussed supportive measures (i.e., LIFT Center or device turned into an administrator or the office upon arriving at school) are applied
- 4th Offense: Loss of device privileges on campus for a defined period and potential In-School Suspension (ISS)
- 5th Offense or More: Further consequences may include extended ISS, Out-of-School Suspension (OSS), and a phone-use agreement
Personal Communication Device Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Policy Overview
Research consistently shows that limiting phone use during school hours leads to increased academic engagement, improved classroom behavior, and stronger social interactions. A recent study found that banning phones during school hours improved focus and reduced distractions in 75% of participating schools (The Guardian, July 2025). Additionally, a study by the University of Connecticut and the University of Oslo found that schools with phone bans experienced reduced bullying and increased academic performance, particularly among female students (Government Technology, May 2024). The National Center for Education Statistics also reports that over 50% of school leaders cite phone use as a significant barrier to academic performance and student wellbeing (NCES, February 2025).
Policy takes effect on September 1, 2025.
Families who need to reach their scholar during the day must contact the school’s front office.
In the event of a school emergency, scholars are led through planned safety protocols for lockdown or evacuation by teachers and administrators. Under a lockdown protocol, scholars are expected to focus on the protocol to ensure their safety and the safety of their classmates, which includes remaining silent and out of sight from doors or windows. Uplift schools and staff have multiple ways of immediately calling for help and contacting 911 in the event of an emergency. In an actual emergency, after first responders or Uplift Safety & Security determine it is safe and appropriate, scholars may use their phones to let parents know they are ok.
As a reminder, when the campus enters a serious safety protocol like a lockdown or evacuation, all parents are sent a message through the parent notification system, along with potential next steps.
All personal communication devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, wireless headphones and earbuds, personal laptops, tablets, and any similar personal electronic devices that can be used for communication.
Scholars with documented medical or accessibility needs may be granted accommodation as determined by the Student Support Team, 504 Committee, or ARD Committee.
Allowing your scholar to have a cell phone or other “Personal Communication Device,” such as a smartwatch, wireless earbuds, tablet, radio device, or the like, at school is a privilege and not a legal right. Whether your scholar chooses to have a cell phone or other “Personal Communication Device” at school is a voluntary choice. Because of this, you and your scholar assume the risk and financial responsibility if the cell phone or “Personal Communication Device” is damaged, stolen, or lost, regardless of when, why, or how. To be clear, Uplift Education is not, and shall not be, financially responsible for a cell phone or Personal Communication Device” that is damaged, stolen, lost, or the like, regardless of whether it had been confiscated by the scholar’s school or was in the possession of the scholar’s school for any other reason. No exceptions will be made.
If you or your scholar do not want to assume the risk for, or be financially responsible for, such things as damage, theft or loss to a cell phone or any other “Personal Communication Device,” we strongly encourage you to not permit your scholar to take a cell phone or other “Personal Communication Device” to school.
These devices can be brought to school, but they cannot be used during the instructional school day. They must be powered off and stored according to each school’s guidelines. This could include a lockable pouch, cell phone lockers, or in a backpack.
Students must follow the specific guidelines of the school they attend that outlines how devices are to be stored.
Yondr is a type of magnetic storage pouch used to secure or “lock” a phone during the school day. The pouch can only be unlocked with a specific magnetic tool. Some of our schools will be utilizing Yondr pouches, or a comparable solution, but not all.
- If a student has a documented medical or accessibility need, they may qualify for an accommodation that allows the use of a phone. These accommodations are determined through the appropriate process with the Student Support Team, Section 504 Committee, or Special Education ARD Committee.
- Phones or other personal devices are not permitted for student use unless an accommodation has been formally approved by the Student Support Team, 504 Committee, or ARD Committee.
- If you suspect your child may have a medical condition that could qualify for this type of exception, please contact the Campus Academic Director to begin the review process.
Device Types
No. Students must use school-issued Chromebooks. Personal laptops are not allowed during the instructional day.
Smartwatches must be stowed away according to individual school guidelines. This could include a Yondr pouch (or similar “Lock and Store” option), in a device locker or in a scholar’s backpack.
No, it does not. Because AirTags do not meet the statutory definition of a communication device under HB 1481, they are not subject to the personal communication devices ban.
Device Use During and After School
No. Personal devices may not be used during any part of the instructional school day. Unauthorized use will result in disciplinary action.
This policy applies to the entire instructional day. Individual school guidelines will dictate how scholars can unlock and/or retrieve their device after the instructional day ends.
After dismissal, device access is allowed unless restricted by a specific organization’s or program’s guidelines.
Logistics
Yes. For schools utilizing Yondr pouches, each student will receive an individual pouch that they return at the end of the year.
Pouches are to be carried by the student or stored in a secure location such as a locker.
Devices can be used once a scholar exits the building during the instructional day but must be turned off and stored away according to school instructions when they return to school.
Enforcement
Please see the disciplinary consequences by grade levels on our cell phone policy website.
Emergencies and Communication
Personal communication devices will remain inaccessible during emergencies to maintain safety and quiet. Staff will follow crisis communication protocols, and students may only retrieve devices when deemed safe by administrators.
Parents should call the school office. Students may use a school or classroom phone if necessary. Devices remain locked and cannot be accessed independently.
We understand your concerns and ask for your patience as our staff navigates this new policy as well. Our operations team is working to ensure consistent phone coverage in the event the receptionist is already on the line and/or away from their desk momentarily. Parents are encouraged to leave a voicemail, reach out to your child’s teacher directly, or follow up via email.
Yes, every Uplift classroom has a landline telephone that they can use to contact the office or respond during emergencies.
Staff may use devices for instructional needs, to communicate with parents through approved parent applications, or for emergency purposes, and are held to professional conduct standards as outlined in our employee handbook.
Phones must stay locked during the instructional day. For events that take place off-campus, such as field trips, during the instructional basis, that will be navigated on a case by case basis.
These vary by campus. Parents should consult the school’s website or front office.
Please stop by your school’s front desk with your identification. A member of our operations team will support you in getting your contact information updated in our systems so you are sure to receive email and phone communication from your child’s school.