Student Cell Phone Policy

The change was made to comply with a new state of Texas law (House Bill 1481).

The school day or instructional day begins when students enter the building and continues through the dismissal bell, including lunch and passing periods. It does not include after-school activities held on campus.

MISD will issue each middle and high school student in grades 6-12 a storage pouch with a locking mechanism. Students will silence and store their phones in the district-provided pouch, and lock the pouch as they enter the school building. Unlocking systems will be available at student exits at the end of the school day.

Elementary students are encouraged to leave devices at home. If an elementary student brings a device to school, it must be silenced and stored out of sight. 

The state has dedicated $20 million in funding to assist with reimbursing school districts to help offset (not fully fund) costs associated with implementing the mandated law. MISD has applied for the grant and is awaiting grant approval regarding partial reimbursement of the district's Fund Balance (district reserve account).

Yes. All students will be issued a pouch at the beginning of the school year. This will ensure that if circumstances change at any time the student will have access to the tools needed. Unused pouches can be stored at home in a safe location. Protocols for students who do not have personal communication devices will be managed at the campus level.

If a student arrives to school without a pouch that day, he/she should follow campus protocols to turn in their cell phone and any other devices into the office to be secured for the day.

Pouch unlocking stations will be available at the main entrance of each MISD school. These stations will be available after school hours.

All MISD high school students have access to a district-issued Chromebook and a student email account. Parents of high school students will now be able to send an email to their student’s MISD email address as needed. This is a feature we activated this year to address this concern. 

Parents will also continue to be able to leave a message for their child by calling the school. At the elementary level, for non-emergency messages, parents may send an email message to their child’s teacher. Students will be able to use their phones before school and directly after the final bell.

A student-designated school landline phone is available in each MISD middle and high school campus main office. These phones may be used by students when they need to call a parent or guardian.

No. The law only applies during the school day. Students may use devices before they enter the school building and after the final bell. Students may use devices during extracurricular activities held after the school day.

MISD has developed safety and security protocols that are aligned with nationally accepted best practices. We have fully trained district and campus safety and response teams. All MISD campuses follow our established emergency protocols. Each of our classrooms is equipped with landline phones with the ability to reach 911 or to activate a silent alert. During an emergency, students are guided by trained staff. Parents are also contacted in a timely manner via email and/or text alerts through the district’s emergency notification system.

Yes, if it is before or after the school day as defined by the law. The use of a device is not allowed on a school bus while traveling for a field trip and between campuses during the school day. This includes transportation between The MILE and our two high schools. Students who travel from campus to another site for instruction in a personal vehicle should follow campus protocols to unlock the storage pouch upon exiting the building. When re-entering a school, students will secure their devices back in the pouch.

All students may access and use their phones after the final bell of the school day. 

Students should follow the Midlothian ISD guidelines to avoid having their cell phone or other devices confiscated. Students found to violate the guidelines will face disciplinary consequences that include the confiscation of the phone.

We understand that personal devices are valuable. If a student’s phone is confiscated, it will be securely stored in a designated area in the front office. Only authorized staff have access, and the phone will remain there until the student’s parent or guardian picks it up during school hours.

Anytime a device is confiscated for violating the law or campus guidelines, only a parent or guardian may pick up the phone or device at the campus main office during school hours.

Students are expected to take care of their district-issued pouch and return it at the end of the year in good condition. Students will be required to pay $30 for lost or damaged pouches.

The new law defines personal communication devices to include a telephone, cellphone, such as a smartphone or flip phone, tablet, Bluetooth earbuds, smartwatch, radio device, paging device, or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication. 

No. Under the new law, students may not use personal laptops, tablets, or other devices during the school day. All instructional technology must be district-issued and monitored. Midlothian ISD provides each middle and high school student with a Chromebook to ensure a consistent and secure learning environment. Students who previously opted out of the Chromebook program will now be required to use district-issued devices. MSID will work with families on this transition.

The law provides school districts the ability to grant limited exceptions with documented medical needs, 504 or IEP accommodations, or other health and safety requirements.

No, the law states explicitly that school-provided electronic devices like Chromebooks are not prohibited.

No, the law says personal communication devices cannot be used during the school day, which includes lunch and passing periods.

No. Personal messaging is not permitted during the school day, even on district-issued devices. High school students will be able to use their MISD email address to send an email to a parent. Alternatively, if your child needs to get in touch with you by phone, they should go through the front office.

No. Personal devices may not be used for recording, video, or photo purposes during the school day. Teachers will provide approved alternatives for projects requiring media.

We completely understand wanting to hear from your child when they aren’t feeling well. If the nurse determines that it’s appropriate for your child to use their phone to update you, they may permit it. We appreciate your understanding as we work to follow the law while still supporting student well-being.

It is a state law that requires school districts to prohibit student use of personal communication devices at school during the instructional day. 

The goal and intent of the new law is to increase student focus in the education setting by reducing distractions. Districts had the choice to implement the new law by prohibiting devices at school or adopting procedures for out-of-sight storage of devices. As a public school district, we are required to follow this law, and we ask for your support in helping us enforce it consistently.