Kansas Cell Phone Ban Policy

You may have heard this law referred to as the “cell phone bill” or the “bell-to-bell” bill. This law requires every Kansas school to prohibit student use of personal electronic communication devices (defined below) during the entire school day (from the first bell to the last bell) while on school property, including during lunch and passing periods. 

This term is defined in the law to include any wireless electronic communication device that provides for voice, text or video communication between two or more parties. This includes a mobile or cellular phone, tablet, computer, watch, wireless headphones or earbuds, text messaging device or personal digital assistant, among others. 

The law grants an exception for students who need their device to manage a health issue, such as checking blood sugar. Parents are asked to contact their school nurse if their child has a medical need. Our school nurse will also be reaching out to those they know may require a device for medical reasons during the day.

Please call or email the school office; the team will be happy to assist you. In urgent situations, messages may be delivered to students during the school day, or the student may be asked to come to the office to use a phone. Otherwise, students will be notified that they have a note to pick up in the office between class periods or after school.

Students should inform their teacher if they need help contacting a parent, sibling or caregiver. They are also welcome to stop by the office during a passing period or lunch time to place a phone call or request help getting a message to a parent, sibling or caregiver.

We encourage families to begin conversations with their children about the importance of following these expectations and contributing to a positive and focused learning environment.

Please encourage students to follow this new requirement by refraining from bringing their devices onto school grounds so that they may share some of the benefits that come from a less distracted learning environment. Working together, we hope to minimize additional disruptions to their school day that could come from non-compliance or disciplinary procedures.

We understand there may be many questions as we navigate this process and prepare for upcoming changes. Please know we are approaching these adjustments thoughtfully.

We appreciate your continued support and partnership, by working together, we can continue supporting the success of all our students.

Our community is unique, but nationwide studies suggest that removing cell phones during school may benefit student learning by increasing classroom engagement and participation, while reducing cyberbullying and office discipline referrals.