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Communication Device Policy

Student Communication Device Policy & Progressive Discipline Plan

Castle Rock Middle School, in alignment with Douglas County School District Policies JICJA and JICJA-R, recognizes that while Communication Devices (CDs) can be useful tools, however research and evidence show that their unregulated use creates challenges with mental health, academic performance, and overall disruption to the educational environment. To ensure our students develop the ability to use these tools productively and to promote robust, face-to-face social interaction, CRMS enforces a strict "Away for the Day" policy.

Policy Overview & Storage Requirements

  • The "Away for the Day" Rule: Students with CDs must keep them silenced (no vibration or sound), stored, and not to be used during the entirety of the school day, which runs from 7:40 AM to 2:55 PM.
  • Definition of a CD: Any portable technology capable of internet access, making/receiving calls, messaging, or creating/accessing non-school digital content. This includes cell phones (Android, iPhone, flip phones), wearables (smartwatches, earbuds/headphones, smart eyeglasses), cameras, and audio/video recorders. Laptops used for school purposes are excluded.
  • Storage: Students will store their CDs in their backpacks.
  • Privacy Prohibitions: Student use of CDs is strictly prohibited in locker rooms, bathrooms, or any other area where individuals have a reasonable expectation of physical privacy. Appropriate signage is posted in these areas.
  • Exceptions: A student may use a CD only if supervising staff gives explicit permission for an instructional purpose or an urgent situation, or if its use is required by a 504 plan, Individualized Education Program (IEP), or documented health need (such as a diabetes tracker).
  • Liability: CRMS and DCSD are not responsible for the loss, theft, or destruction of any privately-owned CD brought onto school property.

Communication Protocols During the School Day

To maintain a distraction-free learning ecosystem, CRMS uses specific communication pathways:

  • Student-to-Family Needs: If a student feels ill, experiences an interpersonal conflict, or faces an issue at school, they are urged to talk directly with a trusted staff member or visit the health clinic rather than using a personal CD to text or call home.
  • Emergencies and Drills: In the event of an unexpected emergency or a lockdown drill, the school and district will utilize established official communication channels to contact families. This ensures safe, controlled, and accurate information distribution without the distraction or safety hazards of student CD usage.

CRMS Progressive Discipline Plan
Violations of this policy will result in tiered disciplinary measures aligned with the DCSD Behavior Matrix.

Offense Level

Action & Device Status

Consequences & Documentation

 

Student Education

(All Students)

Student reviews the policy and signs a formal agreement.

Confirms complete understanding of the CD rules and consequences prior to enforcement. Copies shared with families.

First Offense*

Student puts the device away immediately. 

Staff member issues a verbal warning. The incident is logged.

Second Offense*

(Office Delivery)

Staff member collects the device and delivers it directly to the main office for temporary confiscation.

Student collects the device at the end of the school day (2:55 PM). The incident is logged.

Third Offense*

(Repeated Violations)

Staff member collects the device and delivers it to the main office for storage until the end of the day.

 

Admin will call parent/guardian and inform them they must pick up the device.

Consequences may include:

  • Lunch detention
  • Loss of team time
  • Loss of school activities
 

Mandatory parent contact. 

 

Device will only be released directly to a parent or guardian (no student pickup allowed).

Fourth Offense*

(Ongoing Issues / Refusal)

Staff member collects the device and delivers it to the main office for storage until the end of the day.  

 

Administration will contact home and initiate a CD contract.


 

Mandatory parent contact and/or formal meeting with administration required.

 

Device will only be released directly to a parent or guardian (no student pickup allowed).

 

A formal communication device management plan will be created.

 

*Note on Refusal: If a student refuses to surrender their device to a staff member, the situation is treated as defiance and immediately escalates to a Fourth Offense, requiring direct administrative intervention and potential parent pickup.