Cell Phone Policy

In accordance with the Atlanta Board of Education, the possession of mobile telephones and other personal electronic devices (PEDs) is a privilege extended to students with the expressed, written consent of their parent/guardians. Due to the potential disruption a mobile phone or PED may cause to the instructional environment the disciplinary actions outlined below will be strictly enforced.

• Unless given permission by school administration for medical reasons, the use of mobile telephones is forbidden for ALL students at ALL times during the normal school day. The day begins upon entering the building and includes, but not limited to lunch periods, class changes, study halls, and any other structured or unstructured instructional activity that occurs.
• Devices must be stored in lockers upon arrival to school.
• Students are allowed to use their cell phones, as permitted, during after school activities, clubs, and/or sports.
• Cell phones may not be retrieved from lockers for use during the school day.
• In the event a student needs to make a phone call, he/she will need to get a pass from their classroom teacher and go the grade level office. Phone calls are only permitted for emergencies.
• If a student is not feeling well he/she may retrieve a pass to the nurse. Students may use the phone in the nurse’s office to call home.
• Atlanta Public Schools/Sutton Middle School assumes no liability for the theft, loss or damage of mobile telephone and PEDs possessed by students on school property or held by school officials during the confiscation period.

Actions & Disciplinary Consequences 

When a phone is seen and/or heard:

• The device will be confiscated by any instructional staff, labeled with the student’s name, and the parent/guardian will be contacted via Infinite Campus messenger the same day.
• Parents/Guardians may retrieve the phone from the front office beginning the following school day between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  
• Additional administrative consequences will apply for non-compliance.