K–12 Personal Device Policy

As Glynn County Schools prepares to welcome students back for the 2026–2027 school year, our primary mission remains providing an exceptional, focused learning environment where every child can excel. To support this goal, the district is fully standardizing its "bell-to-bell" personal electronic device policy across all campuses, grades Kindergarten through 12th, effective on the first day of school this August.

The Evolution of Georgia’s Distraction-Free Classrooms
This year's standardized framework marks the final phase of aligning our local district policies with state law, providing a seamless experience for families with zero mid-year policy changes

• Grades K–8: Under House Bill 340 (The Distraction-Free Education Act), school systems statewide were required to adopt strict limitations on personal devices for elementary and middle school students. Glynn County Schools took a proactive approach by implementing these guidelines ahead of the state's January 2026 milestone, successfully launching our local initiatives in August 2025.
• Grades 9–12: Following the success of K–8 implementations across the state, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 1009, which officially extends the "bell-to-bell" personal device ban to all public high schools. While the law sets a compliance deadline for later in the school year, Glynn County Schools is implementing the high school standard this August to ensure a consistent, predictable environment from Day 1. Implementing this standard at the start of the school year ensures our high school students experience a unified environment without the disruption of shifting rules halfway through the school year.

Policy Guidelines at a Glance 
Under this standardized framework, the use of personal electronic devices is strictly prohibited during school hours on school premises. 

• What is Included: Cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, smart glasses, earbuds, tablets, personal laptops, gaming systems, and e-readers.
• The Timeline: "Bell-to-bell" means devices must be powered off and completely out of sight from the morning arrival bell until the final dismissal bell. This applies to instructional time, classroom transitions, lunch, and restrooms.
• Storage: Devices must be securely kept away in student bookbags, purses, or teacher-designated classroom storage.

Standardized Accountability & Discipline
To support our educators and ensure fairness across all campuses, violations of the policy will follow a strict, progressive discipline structure:

• Step 1: Short-Term Safe Keeping (1st Offense) – If a student has their device out, a staff member will immediately confiscate it. The device will be securely held at the school and returned directly to the student at the end of the school day.
• Step 2: Parent Pick-Up Required (2nd Offense) – If a device is confiscated a second time, it will be turned in to the front office. At this stage, a parent or guardian must come to the school to pick up the device.
• Step 3: Administrative Referral (3rd+ Offense) – Any further violations will result in a formal administrative referral and additional consequences in alignment with the Student Code of Conduct.

(Note: Students whose IEP, 504, or medical plans explicitly require a personal device for medical or educational tracking will always be fully accommodated.)

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I get an important message to my child during the school day?

We are always here to keep you connected. If you have an urgent message, a change in afternoon transportation, or a family emergency, simply call your school's front office. Our front desk staff will ensure the message reaches your child immediately.

• What about school safety and emergencies?

We understand that parent-child communication during an emergency is a top-of-mind concern. However, school safety experts and law enforcement agree that active cell phone use during a crisis can inadvertently compromise safety. Ringing phones can give away hiding locations, and unverified rumors on social media can block critical radio bands and delay first responders.

In any emergency scenario, our staff's primary focus is the immediate safety and physical accounting of every child. Glynn County Schools will always communicate directly, rapidly, and transparently with parents via our mass notification system.

Thank You for Your Partnership
When we look at school systems across the country that have embraced distraction-free learning, the results speak for themselves: higher academic engagement, reduced peer conflict, and a happier, more present student body.

Thank you for partnering with us to give our Glynn County students the gift of focus this school year!