Lake County Gazette

Starting tomorrow, Collinsville High School will implement a new cell phone policy as the school year begins. The district is asking parents of students at both Collinsville High School and Collinsville Middle School to review the rules with their children to ensure they understand them.

The change comes after research indicated that limiting personal electronic device use during instructional time can help create a more focused and respectful learning environment. According to the district, the updated policy aims to maximize learning, minimize distractions, and encourage in-person interactions among students.

Personal electronic devices covered by the policy include cell phones, smartphones, headphones, earbuds, smart glasses such as Meta A, recording devices, iPods, iPads, PDAs, laptops, tablets, or similar technology.

At Collinsville High School (CHS), students must keep all devices powered off and out of sight during instructional time, passing periods, and in academic areas like study halls. Device use is only allowed before the 7:40 AM bell and during assigned lunch periods in designated cafeteria areas. School-issued Chromebooks may be used in class when directed by teachers. Headphones and earbuds are not permitted during the school day.

For middle school, intermediate, and elementary schools within the district—including Caseyville Elementary School; Collinsville Middle School; Dorris Intermediate School; Jefferson Elementary School; John A. Renfro Elementary School; Kreitner Elementary School; Maryville Elementary School; Summit Elementary School; Twin Echo Elementary School; and Webster Elementary School—devices must remain powered off and out of sight from arrival until dismissal. No device use is allowed at any point during the school day or during lunch or recess. Students who need to contact parents must do so through the office phone. Headphones and earbuds are also prohibited throughout the day.

Disciplinary actions for violating these policies will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Possible consequences include parent notification, disciplinary conferences, loss of privileges without refund, temporary removal from class or events, confiscation or restitution for damages to devices, in-school suspension, temporary retention of devices by staff, or loss of bus privileges.

The district encourages families to discuss these expectations with their children now. "Our goal is to support students' academic success, well-being and positive social interactions."

Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 serves Madison and St. Clair counties and includes several schools across different grade levels https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/. The district employs 418 teachers with an average salary of $60,392 before pension contributions https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/. Its student population is 56 percent White, 14.1 percent Black, 24.1 percent Hispanic, and 0.5 percent Asian https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/. In 2020 it spent $16,872 per student for a total expenditure of $104 million https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.