Personal Electronics Policy

Bissonnet Campus

Personal electronic devices of all kinds are increasingly becoming part of children’s lives. Schools around the world are dealing with the impact of such devices at school.

As a scientist, Dr. Montessori was interested in technology: she placed value, as do we, on students’ use of technology to support learning at the appropriate time in their development. At times, however, our mission of providing a superior Montessori education is jeopardized by students having certain items at school. The following policy regarding personal electronics is designed to place Post Oak students and teachers in the best possible position to achieve success in all areas.

Personal electronic devices such as mobile phones, personal music or video players, video games, laptops, cameras, iPads, etc. can be a significant disruption to the work of students and teachers here at Post Oak. For this reason, Post Oak students in the Early Childhood and Elementary levels may not bring personal electronics of any kind to school. This guideline extends to having such items in After-Care, ASEP classes, and on school-related trips. Students in Middle School and High School are permitted to bring personal electronic devices to school subject to the guidelines at those levels (see below).

Consequences to a student having a personal electronic device at school will include, at the discretion of the faculty member, having the device taken away and returned to the student upon dismissal, or having the device taken away and returned to a parent or guardian.

As with any school policy, we strive to preserve the peacefulness and productiveness of the classroom environments. We greatly appreciate your support.

Report the transmission of inappropriate content immediately. Individuals have access to a rapidly increasing number of easy-to-use electronic communication tools (e.g. mobile devices, social networking sites, communication software, etc.). This poses opportunities and challenges for both families and schools. Misuse of these tools, regardless of where it occurs, can have serious effects on individuals as well as the school community, and will be treated as a significant offense. Beginning in Elementary and extending through High School, students receive lessons on appropriate ways to represent themselves using electronic media. As part of these lessons, we discuss the implications of sending hurtful, vulgar or explicit messages, photos or video content. Our advice for any member of the school community receiving such content: Do not erase any messages: they may be needed to take action against the offender. Cyber bullying (electronically transmitted threats and insults intended to embarrass, harass, or terrify), and the electronic transmission of inappropriate content by a member of the Post Oak community will result in disciplinary action.

Middle School Personal Electronics Policy

Personal electronic devices of all kinds are increasingly becoming part of all of our lives. Adolescents are no exception. Schools around the world are dealing with the impact of the presence of such devices on school campuses.

As a scientist, Dr. Montessori was interested in technology: she placed value, as do we, on students’ use of technology to support learning and to be used as a tool to enhance the learning experience. Our mission of providing a superior Montessori education can be jeopardized when students are distracted by using technology in ways that are unproductive or directionless. The following policy regarding personal electronics is designed to place Post Oak students and teachers in the best possible position to achieve success in all areas.

Middle School students may only use school-issued electronics while on campus, including after school, ASEP classes, and on school-related trips, except where expressly permitted for the purposes of school-related activities or personal security such as on trips or other outings in the community.

Consequences for a student having a personal electronic device at school will include, at the discretion of the faculty member discovering the device, having the device taken away and returned to the student upon dismissal, or having the device taken away and returned to a parent or guardian.

As with any school policy, we strive to preserve the peacefulness and productiveness of the classroom environments. We greatly appreciate your support.

Cell Phones in Middle School

Personal electronic devices (cell phones, smart phones, iPads, electronic games, fitness tracking devices, Apple watches, etc.) can be a significant disruption to the work of students and teachers in Middle School. Cell phone use in the Middle School is not permitted without faculty permission. When students travel for local service-learning, cell phones and other communication devices (cell phones, smart phones, iPads, electronic games, fitness tracking devices, Apple watches, etc.) capable of receiving outside communication are to be left either at home or in school lockers. Cell phones are encouraged on some trips for ease of communication and photos. Faculty will inform students and parents when this is appropriate. Faculty will collect all devices and charge them overnight for students using their chargers.

Telephone Calls at the MDC

If a student needs to reach parents during the day, they may call from a school phone. If parents need to leave a message for a student, call the MDC office to make arrangements to have the message delivered to the student.

High School Personal Electronics Policy

Hand held game devices are not permitted. Use of personal digital devices is not permitted during the school day, 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (with the exception of mobile phones, see the next section for details). The staff has the right to periodically check multimedia files for content rating and to ask for editing if content is inappropriate. Students’ personal digital devices must be put away during the school day.

Phones, Cameras, and Video

High School students may have cameras, video cameras, music players, and photo and/or video enabled cell phones at school. However, these devices must not interfere with the functioning of the school as a place for learning. It is at the discretion of the staff members to decide when such interference is taking place. Post Oak faculty and staff reserve the right to examine the contents of digital media, including digital film, that are on the school campus.

Students are not permitted to record audio or video images of school faculty or staff without express consent from the faculty members individually. Violations of this rule will result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

Cell Phones in High School

Given the ubiquitous presence of mobile phones in modern life, the approach at the High School level of the school is appropriate use, rather than outright ban. Students are to leave their mobile phones in their locker between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Students may use their phone during lunch and are required to have it with them when they are off-campus, e.g., out for lunch or at an internship. Calls and text messages are not to be made or received during classes, school meetings of any kind, or when at a partner institution. Ringers must be turned off while at school. Staff members will remind students of such norms of decorum when necessary.

Cell phones that are being used in a manner that interferes with any individual’s academic or social work in the community shall be confiscated from the user. Confiscated phones will be returned at the end of the school day to the student. Continued misuse may result in the privilege of possessing a cell phone at school being revoked and the student being subject to further disciplinary action. 

Telephone Calls at the MDC

If a student needs to reach parents during the day, they may call from a school phone. If parents need to leave a message for a student, call the MDC office to make arrangements to have the message delivered to the student.