Menlo-Atherton High School
M-A Phone Policy 2025
In alignment with the Phone-Free School act (AB3216) and Board Policy BP5131.8, Menlo-Atherton High School is implementing an updated cell phone policy for the 2025-2026 school year. This policy is designed to support academic engagement and student mental health. This policy includes cell phone and other electronic devices (AirPods, etc): it ensures the safety of all students, protects personal property, and ensures the educational process is not disrupted. If a student brings an electronic device to school, they do so at their own risk and are fully responsible for its use and/or misuse. The school has no responsibility for lost, broken, or stolen electronic devices.
Procedures and Policy
- All teachers use a cell phone pocket system during class time, including during Flextime, school wide. Students will utilize the pocket system without prompting or reminders from staff members.
- Students will leave their cell phones in the cell phone pockets when using the bathroom.
- Students will have access to phones during brunch & lunch.
- Exceptions to the use of the pocket system must go through the AVP Office or an accommodation through an IEP or ‘504’.
- Teachers have discretion over when to use cell phones for an academic activity.
- Progressive discipline policy* if a student refuses to use the cell phone pocket
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Event
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Teacher Action
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Consequence
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1st violation
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student/teacher discussion
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Verbal Warning
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2nd violation
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phone call or email to parent
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Parent contacted by teacher
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3rd violation
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IC Referral
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detention or community service
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4th violation or more
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IC Referral
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Parent Meeting
Student will not be allowed to use the phone at school for 5 to 10 days.
Student will drop off the phone in the AVP office in the morning prior to the beginning of their first period and collect it in the afternoon at the end of their last period.
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The following student actions are strictly prohibited and may result in additional consequences, including suspension, notification of law enforcement, or other serious consequences.
- Refusal to surrender an electronic device to a staff member
- Photographing/filming a physical or verbal altercation
- Photographing/filming within a classroom, changing room, locker room, or restroom
- Photographing/filming anyone without that person’s prior permission
- Posting on any social media platform without that person’s prior permission (pictures, videos, memes, audio, etc.)
- Use of cell phone or electronic device for the purpose of cheating will be subject to the Academic Integrity Policy.
*Any defiance or dishonesty in using the pocket system will result in a referral to AVP with other possible consequences.
If parents need to contact the student during instructional hours, they can contact the school office at 650.322.5311. All school contacts are available on our school website.
In case of an emergency, the school will contact the families via the official communication system.
The Student Handbook has been updated as follows:
Menlo-Atherton High School expects students to be engaged and focused during class time and Flextime. To maximize academic engagement, all classrooms utilize the cellphone pocket system. Students are expected to place their cell phones in their assigned pocket prior to instructional time and without prompting or reminders from their instructor. Cellphones are not permitted when students use the bathroom during class time. Unless specifically directed by a teacher during instructional time, electronic devices are only permitted during non-instructional times such as before school, brunch, lunch, passing periods and after school. Any violation of the policy described above will be subject to the progressive discipline outlined above.
*Disclaimer: Menlo-Atherton High School advises all students not to have cell phones and electronic devices on campus. Menlo-Atherton High School will not assume responsibility/ liability for the security or integrity of these expensive items. Students bring these devices on campus at their own risk. Parent and student requests to investigate the theft of cell phones or personal electronic devices will be directed to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office; such thefts will not be independently investigated by Menlo-Atherton High School.