Beginning in January 2025, a new statewide policy in South Carolina will require all public schools to enforce a ban on student use of cell phones during the school day. This policy, approved by the State Board of Education in September 2024, aims to address concerns about student well-being and academic performance.
The policy takes effect on January 1, 2025. The first day of school in District 5 after the policy becomes effective is January 7, 2025.
Policy implementation for Abner Creek Middle School:
The policy applies to:
all wireless electronic communication devices
, including but not limited to cell phones, AirPods, smartwatches, tablets, gaming devices etc.
Policy covers
entire school day
, from beginning to end
Devices may be used in the cafeteria and gym before school. Prior to leaving the cafeteria or gym, devices must be powered off and placed in bookbags. Students arriving to school after 8:05am must have devices
powered off and in bookbags
.
Devices must remain in bookbags until 3:20pm
Students are not allowed to text or call from their cell phone/smart watches during the day–even to parents
Students needing to contact parents will have to go to the office to use the phone
Please encourage your students to learn your phone numbers, in case they need to phone you from the office phone.
Consequences for Violations
All Violations will be recorded as discipline referrals:
1st Offense: Warning and parent contact.
2nd Offense: After school detention and parent contact.
3rd Offense: In-school suspension and parent contact.
4th Offense: Out-of-school suspension and parent contact.
Please support us in ensuring our students follow these rules so we can avoid discipline issues.