As DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor, Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, announced in June, DCPS will implement a district-wide student cell phone policy beginning School Year 2025-2026. With this new policy, our school will adopt and enforce a cell phone-free environment during the "bell-to-bell" school day.
Students will not be permitted to use their cell phones or personal electronic communication devices from when the first bell rings in the morning until the dismissal bell in the afternoon. Students of any age who bring cell phones or smartwatches to school must have them turned off and stored inside their locked locker from 8:45 - 3:30 pm, including in the cafeteria and playground. Oyster-Adams is a no-electronics zone. That means electronics such as Gameboys, PSPs, and iPads are not allowed in the school building at all, including the playground and veranda. E-readers (such as Nooks and Kindles) are allowed but may only be used for reading books/articles. Students who abuse the use of e-readers will have them confiscated and will no longer be allowed to use the e-reader at school.
Any lost or stolen electronic devices are not the responsibility of the school. To help set students' and caregivers' expectations for our return to school, I want to share more about our school’s cell phone processes.
Storage:
Upon arrival, all student phones and personal electronic devices will be securely stored. Students will secure their devices by placing them in a provided locker as they enter the building. Staff will supervise the storage process in our hallways to ensure all devices are secured.
Devices will be securely stored, monitored, and, with a few exceptions, inaccessible to students during the bell-to-bell school day. Students who arrive after the start of instruction will follow the same storage procedures.
Oyster Campus
Every student is assigned a locker by their teacher. They can access their lockers throughout the day to collect materials.
Adams Campus
Students are assigned a locker and must use a combination lock embedded in the locker (no key locks) to keep their belongings safe inside their locker and while in school. The school is not responsible for the loss of any item. Students are allowed to access their lockers at designated times (arrival, before/after lunch + recess, dismissal) throughout the day. We create those times so that we maximize instructional time and reduce transition.
Retrieval:
At the end of the school day, staff will provide supervision as students retrieve their devices from their lockers. Students will not be permitted to retrieve another student’s device(s), including those of siblings or other relatives.
Once students have retrieved their devices, they will continue with their dismissal proceedings. Please note that DCPS Out of School Time Program sites do not allow use of student cell phones or personal devices, and other afterschool providers and athletic teams may also have restrictions on cell phone usage during their programming.
Expectations:
Students will be expected to adhere to this policy throughout the bell-to-bell school day. Failure to cooperate could result in disciplinary action in accordance with the DCPS Safe and Positive Schools Policy.
Responses for Devices Infractions
Below find the procedures and school responses for students who are seen with a smartphone or electronic communication device (using it or inside their pockets):
⚠️ 1st Instance
- The device will be confiscated and returned to the student after school after a conversation with a member of the School Culture Team.
⚠️ 2nd Instance
The device will be confiscated and returned to the student after school.
The student will be assigned a reflection activity to discuss appropriate times for device use.
The incident will be logged in DCPS's student behavior tracker.
Parents/guardians will be notified via email or phone call.
⚠️ 3rd Instance
The device will be confiscated and returned only to a parent or guardian after a conference.
The student must sign an agreement acknowledging that if the device is confiscated again, it will only be returned to a parent or guardian. The student will complete a second reflection activity.
The student will receive additional consequences aligned with DCPS Chapter 25, and a plan for responsible tech use.
Emergencies
In the event that an emergency causes a change in our school’s operating status, such as an evacuation, alert, or lockdown, we receive support from the DCPS Central Services Operations Communications Team so that we can focus on the immediate safety of our students and staff. The Operations Communications Team works across district operations and security to provide accurate and timely messaging to families via the centrally managed message platform, Finalsite (previously named Blackboard). If you need to get in contact with your student during the school day, please call the main office at (202) 671-6130.
I appreciate your partnership as we ensure a school environment where Oyster-Adams students are focused on learning, classroom engagement, and building positive relationships with their peers and educators. Our scholars will continue to utilize school-issued devices and technology to supplement their learning experiences.
If you have any questions, please call the main office or email your campus AP.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Oyster-Adams Leadership Team
