Personal Electronic Devices means any portable electrically powered device that is capable of:

• Making and receiving calls
• Making and receiving text messages
• Accessing the internet independently from the school’s network infrastructure
• Does NOT include a laptop computer or other device required to support academic activities as long as those devices are being used in ways that align with the guidance

In practical terms, this means students may no longer use cell phones, smart watches that can text, iPads that text, etc.

Smartwatches fit the definition of personal electronic devices under this law. Students should not wear smartwatches during the school day.

Smart glasses fit the definition of personal electronic devices under this law. Students should not wear smart glasses during the school day. 

Earbuds are not allowed as they function as an extension of other personal electronic devices. If a student needs access to headphones to access instructional materials or support, they will be provided plug-in headphones to use with their Chromebook or laptop computer.

• Students may choose to leave their cell phones or other PEDs at home
• Students may choose to leave their cell phones or PEDs in their backpacks or lockers
• School staff should not see any cell phones or PED on campus during school hours. If school staff see students’ cell phones during school hours, the cell phone will be collected.

Many of us have become accustomed to instantaneous communication with our families, so we know that students not having access to their phones and personal electronic devices will be a change for everyone. 

There are many ways families and students can plan for effective communication, including the following:

• Engaging in communication outside of the school day.
• Contacting the school office if a student needs to be picked up for a doctor’s appointment or if there is other important time-dependent information.
• Students can access phones in the office if there is an emergency situation during the day when they need to contact their families.

We will continue to work to ensure that our school offices are staffed appropriately to support any necessary communication with your students during the day. 

In the event of a school emergency, the district has robust procedures in place to communicate with families around the status of the situation and what to do next to keep everyone safe in the situation. Learn more about district safety processes here. 

PRIMARY SCHOOL GUIDANCE

Primary students are not allowed to have cell phones or personal electronic devices during the school day (7:50 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.). This includes smartwatches and similar devices. Students who bring cell phones or personal electronic devices to school must have them stored off and away in their backpack for the entirety of the school day. They can access devices before or after school. 

School laptops do not apply as they are part of the educational program and school day learning.

MIDDLE SCHOOL GUIDANCE

Middle School students are not allowed to have cell phones or personal electronic devices during the school day (9:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.). This includes smartwatches and similar devices. Students who bring cell phones or personal electronic devices to school must have them stored off and away in their locker or backpack for the entirety of the school day. They can access devices before or after school. 

School laptops do not apply as they are part of the educational program and school day learning.

During the school day, students may choose to leave their cellphones or personal electronic devices at home or in their backpack or locker. School staff will collect personal electronic devices if they are seen on school campus during school hours. The personal electronic device collection process includes the following:

All four middle schools have the same guidelines in place for infractions with personal electronic devices:

• 1st Offense (Phone/device is out or visible to staff after being reminded to put it away once): Phone/device stays in the office and the student can pick it up at the end of the school day.
• 2nd Offense: Phone/device stays in the office and the student can pick it up at the end of the school day after calling parent/guardian to inform them this is their second misuse of their cellphone. The student will tell them, if there is another incident, a parent/guardian will have to come pick up the device from the office.
• 3rd Offense: Phone/device stays in the office until the parent/guardian comes to school to pick up the cell phone/electronic device.
• 4th Offense: Phone/device stays in the office until the parent/guardian comes to school to pick up the device and has a meeting/conversation with an administrator regarding technology privileges at school. 

HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE

High School students are not allowed to have cell phones or personal electronic devices during the school day (8:30 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.). This includes smartwatches and similar devices. Students who bring cell phones or personal electronic devices to school must have them stored off and away in their locker or backpack for the entirety of the school day. They can access devices before or after school. 

School laptops do not apply as they are part of the educational program and school day learning.

During the school day, students may choose to leave their cellphones or personal electronic devices at home or in their backpack or locker. School staff will collect personal electronic devices if they are seen on school campus during school hours. The personal electronic device collection process includes the following:

• Until October 1, 2025
  • For the first offense:
    • The device will be held in the office until the end of the day and then returned to the student.
  • For the second or subsequent offense:
    • The device  will be held in the office until the end of the day, and the parent/guardian must come pick up the device.
• After October 1, 2025
  • For any offense
    • The device  will be held in the office until the end of the day, and the parent/guardian must come pick up the device.
  • If a pattern has developed or other difficulties have arisen in regards to not following the Off and Away All Day expectations, any of the following additional supports and/or consequences may be be imposed:
    • A problem-solving meeting may be scheduled between the student, parent(s) and school administration.
    • Losses of privileges may be considered
    • Lunch or after school detention may be considered
    • Community service requirements may be considered

Consequences that impact instructional time, such as suspension, will not be imposed for violating the Off and Away All Day expectations.

However, if there is an incident that involves the use of personal electronic devices and an additional violation (such as cyberbullying or defiance towards administrative staff trying to collect a device), there may be discipline for that additional violation that could include disciplinary actions appropriate to the situation, up to and including expulsion. 

Are there any exemptions to these expectations?

Yes. The Governor’s Order provides clarity about these potential exemptions:

• A student’s medical provider’s order for the care and treatment of a medical condition
• A student’s IEP or 504 plan

Please note that students who have an exemption under these circumstances may use their phone or other PED for the purposes of the accommodation or use that is described in their documented plan. 

A change of this scale requires all of us in the school community to work together. Truly, everyone has a role to play in helping to implement these changes as smoothly as possible. 

• Students:
  • No phones or other personal electronic devices at school during the school day.
  • Following the expectations in the school environment is the responsibility of every student. We are proud of the young people in our schools and the character and integrity in which they support their community every day. 
  • We know that students will adjust to this new change by keeping their phones and personal electronic devices at home or in their backpacks and lockers.
• Families:
  • Set the expectation with your child that they should not use their phones, smartwatches, etc. during the school day from 8:30 to 3:05.
  • Plan for communication with your student outside of the school day.
  • Use the office phone system if a real emergency or important reminder is needed for your child.
• Classroom Teachers:
  • Maintain a positive rapport with all students.
  • Set the expectation with your students that students should not use, and you should not see student phones or other personal electronic devices, at any time during the school day.
  • Continue to engage students in the rationale behind why this expectation is supportive of students’ mental health and academic success.
  • Provide guidance for how students can use calendaring tools and other study aids that are built into the Google classroom system (where they may have used their phones in the past)
  • Know which students in their classes have an exemption for a device and what task this exemption is for.
  • Refrain from using cell phones during the instructional day except as needed for school business or urgent situations.
  • Avoid power struggles with students and report every violation of cell phone and personal device violation using the system provided by administration.
• Support Staff:
  • Maintain a positive rapport with all students.
  • Set the expectation with your students that students should not use, and you should not see student phones or other personal electronic devices, at any time during the school day. 
  • Refrain from using cell phones during the instructional day except as needed for school business or urgent situations.
  • Avoid power struggles with students and report every violation of cell phone and personal device violation using the system provided by administration.
• Administrators:
  • Maintain a positive rapport with all students.
  • Set the expectation with your students that students should not use, and you should not see student phones or other personal electronic devices, at any time during the school day.
  • Refrain from using cell phones during the instructional day except as needed for school business or urgent situations.
  • Consistently follow the process of collecting phones and personal electronic devices that are out or used during the school day, safely storing them, and returning them to the appropriate party.

We will support students in learning and adapting to this new expectation in multiple ways. Between August 19-25, the week before school begins, the district will provide a daily message blitz about the change to ensure no students are surprised by this new required approach. 

Students will be reminded of these expectations at the start of every class period at the middle and high school level for the first week, periodically over the first month, and the first day back after any school break. 

Students will also participate in lessons at school that provide more information about the rationale and research behind this approach, including the academic benefits, the mental health benefits, and the in person social benefits. 

This change is in accordance with the required Governor’s Executive Order 25-09 and is supported by strong research in improving student academic performance and mental health.

For more information why removing cell phones and other personal electronic devices from the school day is a positive change for students, here are some resources:

• Academic Impact Studies
• Social Emotional Impact Studies

More information around the need for changing the expectation of cell phone use in schools can be found in the Oregon Department of Education’s Fostering Student Learning, Well-Being, and Belonging: Guidance for Personal Electronic Device Policies.

Governor Kotek issued the executive order to Oregon’s 197 school districts on July 2, 2025. The West Linn-Wilsonville School District organized three community input sessions on July 17, July 30, and August 1 to provide education about the requirements of the order, and to gather input around what students, families and staff need to adjust to this change. 

In addition to the participation from parents, students and staff at the input session, we received written feedback from 163 community members and students, and 107 staff members. Themes from this input influenced the guidance developed by the district.