In an effort to create a more focused and safer learning environment where students can thrive academically and socially, the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices will be restricted in all Cascade Schools beginning on the first day of school. All students will need to put their cell phones away for the entire school day, morning bell to afternoon release. 

At our elementary schools, the Junior High, and the Opportunity Center, this continues a policy that was already in place: cell phones can be kept by students in their lockers or backpacks, but not with them and not to be used during the school day. At the high school, personal electronic devices can be kept with students, but they may not be used anytime during regular school hours.

This includes any smart watch or other device that can connect to the internet independently through a cellular connection, as well as ear buds and headphones attached to a cell phone. None of those may be used during regular school hours. These definitions and restrictions comply with a new Executive Order by Oregon’s Governor, and are spelled out in the draft policy attached to this message.

For some students and families, this will be a significant culture change. However, we believe that our students will benefit from this effort. If students and families need to communicate with each other, we are asking that they do so before and after school.  If communication needs to happen during the school day, our school office staff will be happy to deliver notes or have students use our office phones. The phone numbers for each school are listed below.

We are ready for another great school year in Cascade! Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

School Office Phone Numbers:

FAQ:

What if a student needs their personal device for a medical issue?

Students with notes from their medical professionals for important needs like tracking blood sugar can apply for an exemption using the form in the attached draft policy. Like all medical protocols, we will work with students and families to ensure medical needs are taken care of. 

What if there is a school emergency?

School safety experts share that students having access to cell phones during school emergencies can negatively impact student safety for a variety of reasons. For example:

• Student use of cell phones during an emergency can distract their attention from the critical safety and emergency directions given by staff.

• Cell phone use by students during an emergency often results in inaccurate or incomplete information and, in doing so, may disrupt and delay effective public safety response.

• Cell phone use by students can impede site safety by accelerating parental and community arrival at the scene of an emergency during times when officials may be attempting to evacuate students to another site.

• Student cell phone use during an emergency may overload cell tower capacity, limiting critical school and first responder communication.

Communication with parents will continue to occur through the district’s mass notification and communication tools.

Attached:

Draft Policy JFCEB: Personal Electronic Devices

Draft Policy JFCEB-AR: Request for Personal Electronic Devices Exemption