Phones and Smart Watches, Wixom

Some families permit their elementary-aged children to possess and use cell phones outside of school. Please note, however, that cell phone usage is not permitted at Wixom Elementary. This includes the use of Smart Watches. Should an elementary student need to contact his/her parent or guardian, he/she will do so using the classroom or office phone.

If your child must bring a cell phone/Smart Watch to school, it should be powered off and kept in their backpack at all times during school hours. Sending a phone or Smart Watch to school is done at your own risk. WLCSD is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones or Smart Watches. We encourage you to keep your child’s device at home.

I recognize that some families allow their child to carry a device to/from school as a safety measure and communication tool during the trip to and from school. This is understandable. However, these devices should not be powered on, nor should they be used, while on the school bus. Devices should only be used before a student boards the bus in the morning and after he/she disembarks from the bus in the afternoon.

I have received several concerns this year related to students watching TikTok, YouTube, and other media, sometimes with swear words, and the resulting exposure of this material to other students on the bus. If your child brings a device to school, I respectfully ask that you speak with them about the aforementioned expectations. I have linked verbiage from the WLCSD Student Code of Conduct Handbook and the WLCSD Student Transportation Handbook below with regards to the use of electronic devices.

Thank you for your support as we try to manage the ever-changing landscape of personal communication devices.

Sincerely,

Carrie O'Connell
Principal

Wixom Elementary

From the WLCSD Student Code of Conduct Handbook

Electronic Communication Devices – Include but are not limited to cellular phones, digital picture/video cameras and/or camera phones, iPods, MP3s, and other personal communication devices capable of transmitting data or images. Students may possess and bring cellular phones and other personal communication devices (PDAs) into school buildings on two conditions: first, that parents and students agree to permit District personnel to search the contents of those PDAs whenever they have reasonable suspicion a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct and the PDA contains information concerning that violation; and, second, that students not use PDAs during instructional time unless used for instructional purposes In either case, the District may be required to temporarily confiscate the PDA.

From the WLCSD Student Transportation Handbook

Inappropriate Personal Property – Possessing personal property prohibited by school rules and otherwise disruptive to the safe operation of the bus, such as electronic pocket beepers, cellular phones, non district-approved electronic communication devices, animals, pets, or glass containers. The use of cell phones is not allowed without the permission of the driver.