When can students use their cell phones at HCHS?
We know communication is important for students and a major part of their everyday life.
Students may use their cell phones during non-instructional time. This includes before school, between classes, and during lunch.
Throughout the school day, students are afforded a total of 60 minutes to use their cell phones.
Why is cell phone use no longer allowed during class time at HCHS?
KY HB 208: “prohibits
a student’s use of a personal telecommunications device during instructional time, except during an emergency, if directed to do so by a teacher for an instructional purpose, or if authorized by a teacher.”
Research shows that cell phones are a major source of distraction in classrooms and that many students are unknowingly addicted to them. When phones are within reach, even just hearing a notification can pull attention away from learning. This isn’t fair to students — it puts them in a constant battle between focus and distraction.
Our cell phone policy will help students:
Improve their focus and academic performance.
Build healthier habits.
Create a more respectful and engaging classroom culture.
Where will cell phones be during class time?
Each classroom will have a designated location for cell phones.
Students will place their phone in their assigned pocket before class begins.
Two minutes prior to class dismissal, students will retrieve their phones from their designated pockets and return to their seats ensuring students arrive at their next class on time.
Consequences for phones visible in the classrooms:
1st offense: Student is sent to his/her unit office and receives a discipline notice. The student’s phone is turned into the unit office and kept for the remainder of the day. The student’s phone is also turned into the unit office the next day and kept during school hours.
2nd offense:
Student is sent to his/her unit office and receives a discipline notice. The student’s phone is turned into the unit office for the remainder of the day and a parent or guardian must come and pick up the cell phone. The student will be assigned one day of ISS.
3rd offense:
Student is sent to his/her unit office and receives a discipline notice.The student's phone is turned into the unit office for the remainder of the day and a parent or guardian must come and pick up the cell phone. The student will be assigned 3 days of ISS.
4th offense:
Student is sent to his/her unit office and receives a discipline notice. The student’s phone is turned into the unit office for the remainder of the day and a parent or guardian must come and pick up the phone. The student will be suspended 1 day and have a 3 day placement in short-term suspension at Central Academy.
5th offense:
Student is sent to his/her unit office and receives a discipline notice.The student’s phone is turned into the unit office for the remainder of the day and a parent or guardian must come and pick up the phone. The student will be suspended 1 day and have a 5 day placement in short-term suspension at Central Academy.
6th offense:
Student is sent to his/her unit office and receives a discipline notice.The student’s phone is turned into the unit office for the remainder of the day and a parent or guardian must come and pick up the phone. The student will be suspended 2 days and have a 20 day placement at Central Academy.
Consequences are escalated for additional offenses.
* If at any point a student refuses to turn his/her phone into the unit desk, the student will be suspended from HCHS for the remainder of the day, the following day and serve a 5 day short-term placement at Central Academy. The cell phone must then be turned into the unit office at the beginning of each school day for the remainder of the 9 weeks. Repeat offenders will be assigned additional consequences.