COLUMBIA, Missouri (KMIZ)

Rock Bridge High School in Columbia is preparing for the start of the 24/25 school year and is releasing its cell phone policy.

In an email to Rock Bridge families on August 9, Rock Bridge Principal Jacob Sirna announced Rock Bridge High School’s new cell phone policy.

According to the email, DCPS’s goal with this policy is to remove and avoid unnecessary distractions from the Rock Bridge High School learning environment.

The policy bans the use of mobile phones during classes and introduces a new reporting system for mobile phone violations.

Students can continue to use their mobile phones between lessons, during lunch breaks and during free periods.

If the work is done early, the school recommends that students read a book or review the material for other subjects.

Violations of the mobile phone law are punished in five stages.

If a student is caught using their cell phone, they will receive a warning and a call home. If the student continues to use their cell phone, they will be sent to the office and warned that their phone will be taken away.

If the student repeatedly breaks the rule, the expulsion system is gradually tightened. The cell phone is taken away for an entire day, the student’s guardian must pick up the phone if it is confiscated, and the student must return the phone at the start of the school day for several days.

Smartwatches are allowed, but only to show the time. If a student is caught using the watch as a cell phone, this is considered a violation.

If a parent or guardian needs to contact their child, the school says students can leave a message that can be listened to after class. In the event of an emergency, guardians can call the main office and arrange for the child to be picked up from class.

According to the email, Rock Bridge High School wants to ensure that all students and parents are aware of the new policy before the start of the new school year so they can adjust and prepare for the change.

“We encourage families to take time before school starts to practice what it looks and feels like to go 90 minutes without access to a cell phone,” the email said.

The first day of school for Columbia Public Schools is August 20th.