No cell phones will be allowed at Tonkawa Public Schools buildings grades K-12 next school year, it was decided at the final fiscal year meeting of the Board of Education.The recommendation came from Principals Stony Fath and Sha-Clair Garcia.The new policy is outlined in the new handbooks adopted by the school board and recommended by the principals of both grade school and mid-high/high school buildings.Policies differ slightly. The high school policy reads as follows: “It is the policy of the Tonkawa Mid-High/High School that students’ personal electronic devices will not be allowed on school property during school hours except for in student vehicles. Personal electronic devices include but are not limited to mobile phones, smart watches, tables, gaming devices and bluetooth headphones. students found to be in violation of this rule shall be subject to disciplinary action. First offense will result in the device being held until the end of the school day in the principal’s office and returned to a parent or guardian. Subsequent violations will result in further disciplinary actions to include detentions and possible in-school interventions in compliance with the behavior code and disclipline plan listed in this handbook.”The grade school policy reads as follows: “Wireless devices are not allowed on school property or field trips. Tonkawa Elementary School teachers are not responsible for lost or stolen devices. If you need to contact your child’s teachers, please use the Apptegy app or call the office. Wireless telecommunication devices include, but are not limited to beepers, pagers, cellular phones, tablets, smartwatches, iPods and iPads.“A parent may request permission for their child to carry a wireless telecommunications device by receiving written permission from the principal. such permission will be granted for the current school year only. Circumstances will be limited to medical emergencies only. A letter from the doctor will be required. Students found to be in violations of these rules shall be subject to disciplinary action. First offense: Confiscated and pickd up at the office at dismissal time. Second offense, the device will be confiscated and will be released only to a parent or legal guardian. Third offense, the device will be confiscated and will be released only to a parent or legal guardian and the students will serve a detention. Further incidents may results in in-school or out-of-school suspension.”Other actionBoard members present for Wednesday, June 28th, meeting included Brian Bowling, Jerry Hook and Melanie Bellinghausen. Tyler Langston ...
