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Personal Electronic Device Policy

Personal Electronic Device Policy

Manhattan High School Personal Electronic Device Policy (HB2299-Aligned) 

 

Purpose

In accordance with Kansas HB2299, Manhattan High School prohibits student access to personal electronic devices during the entire school day to ensure a focused, distraction-free, and safe learning environment. 

 

Definition of Personal Electronic Devices 

Personal electronic devices include, but are not limited to: 

  • Cell phones 
  • Smartwatches 
  • Wireless earbuds and headphones 
  • Personal tablets 
  • Personal laptops 
  • Gaming devices 
  • Any other personal electronic communication or entertainment device 

 

School Day Expectation (7:20 AM – 3:10 PM)  

Upon Entering the building; Bell at 7:20 a.m. when doors open. The policy begins when students enter the building at 7:20 a.m. and remains in effect until the dismissal bell at 3:10 p.m. 

  • From 7:20 a.m. to 3:10 PM, all personal electronic devices are:  
    • Strictly prohibited for student access or use, AND  
    • Required to be “securely stored away in an inaccessible location from the students person” 
  • “Inaccessible location” is defined as: 
    • A location where a student cannot physically access or retrieve the device during the school day 
  • Devices may NOT be:  
    • On the student’s person (pockets, clothing, etc.)  
    • In backpacks, purses, or personal bags  
    • Stored in classrooms or instructional spaces  
    • Visible at any time 

 

Approved Storage Locations (Required Priority Order) 

Students must store personal electronic devices in one of the following locations: 

  1. Left At Home (Preferred) 
    • Students are strongly encouraged to leave all personal electronic devices at home  
  2. Left In Student Vehicle 
    • Devices may be stored in a student’s personal vehicle  
    • Once parked and the school day begins, students may not return to their vehicle to access the device  
  3. Placed in Assigned Locker 

 

Daily Procedure 
  • From 7:20 AM – 3:10 p.m. all devices must be:  
    • Left at home, OR  
    • Secured in a vehicle, OR  
    • Put in an assigned locker, turned off 
  • Devices must remain inaccessible for the entire school day (7:20–3:10) to include field trips, activity trips, athletic trips during the school hours. 

 

Personal Electronic Device Violation Response

Violations are cumulative for the entire school year and are not reset at the semester.  

  • 1st Violation
    • Device Confiscated 
    • Device stored in grade-level office 
    • Incident Documented 
    • Parent/Guardian Pick Up of device required between 7:20 a.m. –  4:00 p.m.  
  • 2nd Violation
    • Device Confiscated 
    • Parent/Guardian Pick Up of device required between 7:20 a.m. –  4:00 p.m.  
    • Incident Documented 
    • Student assigned 1 Lunch Detention 
    • Device stored in grade-level office 
  • 3rd Violation and Subsequent
    • Device Confiscated 
    • Additional disciplinary consequences may apply 
    • Parent/Guardian Meeting 
    • Parent/Guardian Pick Up of device required between 7:20 a.m. -  4:00 p.m. 
    • Incident Documented 
    • Student assigned 1 Day of AES 
    • Device stored in grade-level office

 

Refusal to Comply
  • Refusal to surrender a device or failure to store it in an approved location is considered insubordination  
  • Immediate administrative referral  
  • Subject to AES or further disciplinary action 

 

Emergency Situations 
  • All communication will be managed through school personnel and established safety protocols  
  • We strongly encourage all parents to have access to ParentSquare. Please review the “Parent Resources” information found on our USD 383 website.  If you have questions on how to set this up, please contact your grade level Office Professional.  

 

Medical Exemptions 

Limited exceptions are permitted for documented medical needs or as required by a student’s IEP or Section 504 Plan. Grade Level Principals will work directly with families to arrange these accommodations. You must fill out an exception form, please contact your grade level principal to get this process started. 

Staff Implementation Expectations 
  • All staff will enforce this policy consistently and without exception  
  • Devices are not permitted in classrooms under any circumstance  
  • Administration will fully support enforcement  

 

Parent/Guardian Partnership 

Parents/guardians are expected to: 

  • Ensure students understand devices are inaccessible from 7:20 AM to 3:10 PM  
  • Contact the school office for needed communication with their student 
  • Support compliance with storage expectations  
  • Will pick up device at the school if student has a violation 

 

Rationale (HB2299 Alignment) 

This policy ensures: 

  • Full compliance with Kansas Law House Bill 2299 expectations requiring devices to be inaccessible throughout the school day  
  • Elimination of classroom distractions  
  • Increased student engagement and academic focus  
  • A consistent, enforceable expectation across the building

  • Kansas House Bill 2299, effective July 1, 2026, requires schools to ensure that students do not have access to personal electronic devices during the school day. Research also shows that limiting phone access improves student engagement, academic performance, mental well-being, and face-to-face interactions. 

  • The policy begins when students enter the building for the school day (Doors open at 7:20 a.m.) and remains in effect until the dismissal bell at 3:10 p.m. 

  • The policy includes, but is not limited to: 

    • Cell phones 
    • Smartwatches 
    • Wireless earbuds and headphones 
    • Personal tablets 
    • Personal laptops 
    • Gaming devices 
    • Any other personal electronic communication or entertainment device 

  • No. Kansas HB 2299 requires devices to be inaccessible during the school day. A phone inside a backpack is still accessible and does not meet the policy requirements. 

  • Students have three approved options: 

    1. Leave the device at home (preferred) 
    2. Leave the device locked in their vehicle 
    3. Store the device in an assigned school locker, turned off 

  • Students who need an assigned locker will fill out the form below to be assigned one. 

    PED Locker Request Form 

  • Students who do not drive may request an assigned locker to securely store their personal electronic device during the school day. 

  • No. 

    The policy applies for the entire school day, including: 

    • Passing periods 
    • Lunch 
    • Study halls 
    • Assemblies 
    • School-sponsored events during the instructional day 

  • Please contact their Grade Level Office. 

    School staff will promptly deliver urgent messages or arrange for your student to contact you if necessary. 

  • Students may request permission through their grade level office if they need to contact a parent or guardian for an important reason. 

  • Students should immediately place the device in their assigned locker if they have one. If they do not have an approved storage location, they should notify a staff member or administrator for assistance before the school day begins. 

  • The device will be confiscated, documented, and disciplinary consequences will be assigned according to the school’s progressive violation procedures. 

  • Parent pickup reinforces the partnership between home and school and emphasizes the importance of following school expectations. It also helps prevent repeated violations. 

  • Refusal to comply is considered insubordination and will result in an immediate administrative referral and additional disciplinary consequences. 

  • During any emergency, the school’s emergency response procedures will be followed. School officials will communicate with families using Parent Square, the Board of Education approved communications platform for USD 383.  

    Keeping students off personal devices allows staff and emergency responders to manage situations safely and efficiently. 

    We strongly encourage all parents to have access to ParentSquare. Please review the “Parent Resources” information found on our USD 383 Website. If you have questions on how to set this up, please contact your grade level Office Professional. 

  • Parents should call the school office immediately. School staff will ensure your student receives the message as quickly as possible. 

  • Yes. 

    Smartwatches capable of communication, texting, internet access, photography, or recording are considered personal electronic devices under this policy. 

  • No. 

    Wireless earbuds and headphones are considered personal electronic devices and must also be stored in an approved location during the school day. 

  • No. 

    To maintain consistency and comply with Kansas HB 2299, personal electronic devices may not be used for instructional activities. 

    District-issued instructional technology will continue to be used for learning. 

  • Schools implementing all-day phone restrictions have reported: 

    • Improved academic focus 
    • Increased classroom participation 
    • Better attendance 
    • Fewer classroom disruptions 
    • More face-to-face social interaction 
    • Reduced cyberbullying during the school day 
    • Improved student mental well-being 

  • Parents can help by: 

    • Leaving personal electronic devices at home whenever possible. 
    • Discussing the expectations with their student before school begins. 
    • Contacting the school office instead of texting during the school day. 
    • Encouraging students to focus on learning and in-person relationships while at school. 
    • Supporting school staff in consistently enforcing the policy. 

  • Yes. Limited exceptions may be granted for documented medical needs or when required by a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. 

    Families seeking an exception must complete a Personal Electronic Device Exception Request Form. To begin the process, please contact your student's Grade-Level Principal, who will work with your family to review the request and determine appropriate accommodations in accordance with district procedures. 

  • If you have questions about the Personal Electronic Device Policy, please contact your student’s Grade-Level Office or the Manhattan High School Main Office. 

    Freshmen Office 

    David Holloway, Grade Level Principal

    Sophomore Office 

    Lisa Julian, Grade Level Principal 

    Junior Office 

    Benjamin Jimenez, Grade Level Principal 

    Senior Office 

    Janelle Shumaker-Walters, Grade Level Principal 

     

    Thank you for partnering with Manhattan High School to create a focused, safe, and engaging learning environment for every student.