Personal Communication Device FAQs

The school day encompasses the first bell to the last bell, including lunch and passing periods. 

• Elementary schools: no personal communication devices allowed (this is a continuation of our previous policy)
• Secondary schools: No personal communication devices on school property from 8:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.

Cell phones must be turned off or silenced, out of sight and not on their person, which means they should be put away in the student’s backpack or other bag during the day to prevent any unexpected disruption or temptation to check it.

No, cell phones must be turned off or silenced and out of sight and put away in the student’s backpack or other bag during the school day. 

If the personal communication device becomes visible, makes noise, or is accessed in any way, it will be treated as a violation. If the device causes a disruption, even unintentionally, it will be treated as a violation.

If the phone causes a disruption, even unintentionally, it may be confiscated and treated as a violation. Devices should be off or silenced and out of sight bell to bell during the school day. We recommend that devices are powered off bell to bell.

No; students may not wear smartwatches during the school day. If a student is found using a smartwatch to send or receive messages, make calls, or otherwise communicate, the device will be confiscated and treated the same as any other personal communication device violation under the district’s consequences.

Yes. Students will need to have wired earbuds or headphones with either a standard headphone jack (3.5mm) or USB-C connection.

HB 1481 includes a ban on all personal communication devices that are NOT issued by Aledo ISD. This means that students are no longer allowed to use their personal laptops, Chromebooks or tablets at school, and may only use district-issued Chromebooks at school. The majority of students in AISD in grades 6-12 have checked out district Chromebooks for a number of years, and AISD has previously permitted students to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). The new law requires that we discontinue our BYOD program. (Students in grades PK-5 access technology devices as needed at school and do not check out devices.) Read the full FAQ on HB 1481 and district-issued devices here.

No. The law only applies during the school day. Students may use their devices before the first bell and after the final bell off campus. However, the staff member supervising students before or after school or off campus during an extracurricular activity will have discretion regarding when and where devices may be used and may require that students keep personal communication devices put away.

No. All academic tools and teacher-to-student messaging apps must be accessed on district-issued devices via LaunchPad during school hours. Students have the ability to access Remind and SportsYou through their Chromebooks. If your coach/sponsor uses a different application, they will be changing to Remind or SportsYou.

Please call the school office, and we will deliver your message. In case of an urgent situation, we will ensure your child receives the information as quickly as possible.

If your child needs to reach you during the school day, teacher discretion will be used to allow students to go to the front office to make any necessary phone call home to a parent/guardian.

Once a student is off campus, they may use their personal devices. Phones must remain stored until they leave school grounds.

Yes. The law only applies during the school day. Students may use personal communication devices before arriving at school and after the final bell, including on the bus unless they have been told they need to keep their personal communication device put away.

No. Phones must remain stored throughout the entire instructional day, including during restroom breaks. The law does not permit an exception for restroom visits.

Students may access and use their phones after the final bell. The law applies only during the school day, so phones can be turned on once the day is over.

This new law allows use of a device as necessary to implement an IEP or Section 504 plan, by a student with a documented need based on a directive from a physician, or as necessary to comply with a health or safety requirement imposed by law or the district’s or school’s safety protocols. If your child has an IEP, Section 504 Plan or medical need to have a personal communication device, please fill out this form and the appropriate department and campus will be in touch with you for documentation or further information needed. Again, as this is a new process for all of us, please be patient as we work through how best to ensure we are accommodating all of our students whose needs require a personal communication device.

We are exploring the option of making available specific music-only websites for use on district-issued Chromebooks.

No; only district-issued devices are allowed to be used while at school. Aledo ISD has previously set up a virtual desktop that makes running the programs necessary for those specific courses available for students to use. Our technology team will troubleshoot any issues that arise with specific courses with teachers and administrators.

No. Students may not use their phones to contact parents during the school day, even for things like forgotten items or appointments. If a student needs to make a call, they can use the front office phone.

We encourage families to communicate any planned appointments or early checkouts before the school day begins. If an unexpected situation arises, such as an early appointment or a need to pick up your child, the front office will contact the student directly by notifying the classroom.

No. Personal messaging is not permitted during the school day, even on district-issued devices. If your child needs to get in touch with you, they should go through the front office or a staff member.

No. Personal devices may not be used for recording, video or photo purposes during the school day. Teachers will provide approved alternatives for projects requiring media.

We completely understand wanting to hear from your child when they aren’t feeling well. Students are not permitted to use personal devices during the school day, including in the nurse’s office. The nurse will contact you directly if your child needs to go home or if there are any health concerns.

If the nurse determines that it’s appropriate for your child to use their phone to update you, they may permit it. We appreciate your understanding as we work to follow the law while still supporting student well-being.

We understand that some students use their phones as a coping mechanism, but under state law, personal device use is not permitted during the school day. If your child is experiencing anxiety that affects their ability to focus or stay regulated at school, please reach out to the campus counselor. We have support systems in place to help students manage these challenges without relying on personal devices.

All campuses follow established emergency protocols. During a lockdown or evacuation, students are guided by trained staff. When it is safe to do so, students may be allowed to use their phones to contact families. Parents will also be notified through our emergency notification system. In a genuine emergency, students should always use their best judgment to stay safe. If a student uses their phone to get help in a situation where staff aren’t immediately accessible, we will handle it with understanding and evaluate the circumstances appropriately.

(Offense is ‘per’ student & cumulative)

1st Offense: 

• Personal communication device is confiscated and is only returned to the student at the end of the day (between 4:10 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.) and 
• Parent is notified via automatic email

2nd Offense: 

• Personal communication device is confiscated and only returned to a parent or guardian and 
• Parent is notified via automatic email

3rd Offense: 

• Personal communication device is confiscated and only returned to a parent or guardian and
• Parent is notified via phone call and 
• 1 day of In-School Suspension (ISS) (beginning the next school day after violation)

4th Offense: 

• Personal communication device is confiscated and only returned to a parent or guardian and 
• Parent is notified via phone call and 
• 3 days of ISS (beginning the next school day after violation) and 
• Student is prohibited from bringing any personal communication device to campus through the end of the school year. 

5th Offense: 

• Personal communication device is confiscated and only returned to a parent or guardian and 
• Parent is notified via phone call and 
• Student is prohibited from bringing any personal communication device to campus through the end of the school year and 
• Student is placed in the Discipline Alternative Education Program (DAEP) or is assigned additional days of ISS, based on grade level (beginning the next school day after violation): 
  • Elementary (Kindergarten–5th Grade): 5 days ISS
  • Secondary: 5 days DAEP

Beyond 5th Offense: 

• All of above (5th Offense) with additional ISS (elementary) or DAEP (secondary) days. 

If your child’s personal communication device is confiscated on Thursday and they are assigned to ISS or DAEP beginning on Friday, they will not be allowed to participate in Thursday after-school activities and will be released from their ISS or DAEP suspension at the end of the school day Friday to resume after-school activities. If your secondary child’s 5th offense is on a Friday, their 5-day DAEP placement will begin after-school that day (Friday) and they will NOT be allowed to participate in after-school activities that day. Their 5-day DAEP placement will be the following Monday through Friday, and they can resume after-school activities the final Friday of their placement.

As many of our student programs and extracurricular activities have policies in place regarding DAEP and continued participation, our sponsors and coaches are reviewing the handbook of their respective program or activity to see if any updates need to be made.

For the first offense, a student may pick up a confiscated device at the end of the school day, between 4:10 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Beginning with the second offense, a parent or guardian may pick up a confiscated device the following school day. Because the retrieval of a device requires a specific staff member, please be patient with our staff as they work to assist you as quickly as possible in what is already a very busy front office! 

Please note: Once a device is picked up by a parent or guardian, it shall not be returned to the student while the student is still on campus that day. The device must be taken home and returned to the student after school hours.

A parent or guardian signature will be required when the device is picked up from the campus.

Each campus will have a designated safe, secure location on campus to store confiscated personal communication devices. Only authorized staff will have access, and the device will remain there until it is returned to the student or picked up by a parent or guardian. Each campus will also complete a form for confiscated devices that will require parent/guardian signature when the device is picked up from the campus.

Refusing to surrender a device is considered defiance and a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. An administrator will intervene, and additional disciplinary action may be taken, including suspension or placement in the discipline alternative education program.

No. Aledo ISD is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices, including those that are confiscated. Students and families are encouraged to leave valuables at home or use devices responsibly in accordance with district policy. To reiterate, devices that are confiscated are locked in a secure cabinet/safe in a secure location.

According to House Bill 1481, the district may dispose of a confiscated personal communication device after 90 days. We recommend that you retrieve it as soon as possible!

Talk About the Policy:

• Explain why the new rule exists to help students focus and reduce distractions. 
• Let them know it’s now state law (HB 1481), not just a school rule.

Set Expectations at Home:

• Discuss the importance of following school rules and how this supports their teachers and learning.
• Discuss the consequences of not complying with school policies/state law.
• Encourage responsibility and respect for school policies/state law.  

Plan Communication: 

• Let your child know you can contact the school office. All classrooms have dedicated phones.
• Make sure Parent/Guardian and Emergency contact numbers are up to date with each campus.