Bridgeport News Stories

Bridgeport ISD will join public schools across the state in implementing a new law that requires students to have cell phones off and stored out of sight during school hours. Starting this school year, students will be encouraged to put their phones away and connect instead with classmates and teachers. All Bridgeport ISD campuses will now be considered “cell-free zones” during the school day. 

On June 20, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law which mandates districts to adopt a policy banning the use of personal communication devices during school hours. Students must have cell phones and other communication devices silenced, turned off, put away and out of sight while at school. Officials hope the new procedure reduces screen time, distractions and helps students focus more on learning and socializing with others. Districts who have implemented similar policies, report less instances of student discipline, including a drop in tardies, bullying, fights and even vaping. 

The statewide requirement covers cell phones, smart watches, personal tablets or laptops, bluetooth headphones and any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication.

Devices provided by Bridgeport ISD for instruction, devices needed for educational programs, or devices needed to comply with health and safety requirements or the schools’ safety protocols are an exception to this policy. 

See the approved regulation and consequences for violation below. 

Approved Regulation

Consequences for students in high school include:

• 1st offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, and detention.
• 2nd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, and one day of Saturday school.
• 3rd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day to be retrieved by the parent, one day of in-school suspension (ISS).
• 4th offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day to be retrieved by the parent, and two days of ISS. The student shall be required to turn in their telecommunication device into the school office each day for the remainder of the school year.
• 5th offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day to be retrieved by the parent, and five days in the District's Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP). 
• For additional offenses DAEP days may increase at the direction of the administrator.

Consequences for students in an intermediate or middle school include:

• 1st offense: Confiscation of device, administrator or designee shall contact parent, and device shall be held in school office until the end of the day.
• 2nd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator or designee shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, and detention.
• 3rd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator or designee shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, and one day of Saturday school. 
• 4th offense: Confiscation of device, administrator or designee shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day to be retrieved by the parent, and one day of ISS. 
• 5th offense: Confiscation of device, administrator or designee shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day to be retrieved by the parent, two days of ISS for this and subsequent offenses.The student shall be required to turn in their phone into the front office each day for the remainder of the school year.

Consequences for students in elementary school include:

• 1st offense: Confiscation of device, administrator or designee shall contact parent, and device shall be held in school office until the end of the day.
• 2nd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator or designee shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, and detention.
• 3rd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator or designee shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, and two days of detention.
• 4th offense: Confiscation of device, administrator or designee shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day to be retrieved by the parent, one day of ISS for this and subsequent offenses for the remainder of the school year. The student shall be required to turn in their phone into the front office each day for the remainder of the school year.