Ohio law now requires all schools to adopt a policy governing the use of cell phones by students during school hours. At the Trumbull Career & Technical Center (TCTC), we want all students to be engaged and feel safe every day.  Student cell phones lead to educational disruptions, distractions, and significant social conflict. For this reason, TCTC will no longer allow students to use cell phones during the school day, with the exception of lunch.

Regarding student use of cell phones/PCDs  while at TCTC, #6 in the Student Code of Conduct from the TCTC Student Handbook reads as follows:

“PCDs/phones may be used during HR and during lunch.  At 7:50 each morning, PCDs/phones should go into ‘Off and Away’ mode.  They may be powered on for a student’s lunch period, but must go into ‘Off and Away’ mode before leaving the cafeteria to return to class.  PCDs/phones may not be used between classes. In addition, students are not permitted to record/store/send/transmit the spoken word or visual image of any person, including other students or staff members, or educational instrument/document (e.g., test, quiz, etc.) any time while on school property or at a school-sponsored event. Contents of cell phones may be searched if there exists a reasonable suspicion that it may have been used in an activity prohibited by the code of conduct or board policy.”

Disciplinary Action & Emergency Communications

When a student violates TCTC’s cell phone rule, progressive discipline will be put into action:

1. The 1st offense in any classroom will result in a verbal warning from the teacher to the student with the teacher conducting a follow up phone call to the parent/guardian to make them aware of the rule violation.

2. The 2nd offense in any classroom will result in a disciplinary write up.  One day of ALC will be issued.

3. The 3rd time a student breaks the cell phone rule in any location will result in one day of OSS.

4. The 4th time and beyond will result in two days of OSS.  

In the event of an emergency, TCTC will notify parents/guardians through email, phone call, or text message. The website will also be updated with emergency details.  If you need to contact your student, you may do so by calling the school at 330.847.0503.  Your support is essential to the success of the TCTC’s cell phone rule. Please be sure to review as a family and consider:

• Proactively talking with your student about after school plans, lunch planning, appointments, or activities in advance of arrival to school.

• Reminding your student how they can reach family during school hours, and how you can reach them in case of an emergency through the school office.

• Visiting http://education.ohio.gov/cellphones for more information and resources about cell phone use for your family.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in facilitating a safe and supportive learning environment.