Canoga Park High School Cell Phone Policy

 On June 16, 2024, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education adopted Res-035-23/24, “Supporting Student Mental Health and Learning Ensuring a Phone-Free School Day.” That resolution called for the following to be applied to all school sites within the district:

• No phones for the entire school day
• Increase student interaction, classroom engagement
• Policy developed to align with California and Federal legal requirements

The Local School Leadership/SDM at Canoga Park High School formally reviewed and acknowledged the policy on November 19, 2024.

Policy Specifics: The new policy has been implemented as of the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year. The content of this policy is to address the use of cell phones/social media and other electronic devices.

•      Students may not use cellular phones during school hours, including passing periods and lunch.
•      Students are only permitted to use cell phones on campus before school and after school.
•      Devices must be turned off and stored away in their backpacks. If a student is seen using the phone in class, they must give the device to the teacher to store in the phone locker until the end of the period.
•      The policy also applies to devices that provide similar functionality to a smartphone, such as a smart watch, earbuds and smart glasses.
•      Other devices that do not have “smart” capabilities must be turned off and stored for the entire instruction day.

Emergency Access

• Students must be allowed to access their phone in the class in case of an emergency.
• During an emergency, students will be able to access their cell phones when staff determines that it is safe to do so.
• If a student (or parent/guardian) requests that the student be allowed to use their smartphone due to a “perceived threat of danger”, then the school will convene a threat assessment, develop a safety plan, etc., before allowing the use of the phone.

Emergency Situations Communications

In the event of an emergency

•      Schools will as soon as possible send a Connect message to the school community.
•      Schools will update parents through the emergency.
•      Schools will inform the school community the moment the emergency is over.

Student Exception to Policy

• The policy shall not prohibit a student from using a cellular phone or electronic device based on exception listed below:
  •      Health Based Needs
  •      IEP’s
  •      504 Plan
  •      Newcomers to assist with translation
  •      Local Need

Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy Implementation

The district will provide the “Portable Locker Storage” and “Magnetic Pouches” to maintain student cell phones/electronic devices if a student fails to keep their device turned off and in their backpack during the school day.

Step 1: Students must keep their cell phone/electronic device TURNED OFF and in their backpack for the entire school day.

Step 2: If a student is seen with their device for ANY reason, the teacher will place the student’s device in the “Portable Locker Storage” for the duration of the period.

Step 3: It a student continues to violate the policy, school administration will place the device in a “Magnetic Pouch” for the remainder of the school day.

•      The policy does not apply to those with exemptions. All procedures allow for students to access their device in the event of an emergency.