Dear Brave Students and Brave Families,

I hope everyone is having a great summer, and we look forward to welcoming students back!

Our top priority for the 2022-23 school year is to provide a safe, welcoming environment that sets up students for maximum academic growth and success. To help with this, there is one important change to our district practices regarding student technology that I want to be sure students and families are familiar with before the first day of school.

Beginning August 17, 2022, student cell phones, smart watches, air pods/Bluetooth headphones connected to personal devices, etc. will not be allowed to be in use during instructional hours.  Students must keep their phones in their backpacks and will not be allowed to use them during the school day. All students will have access to their Chromebooks and other technologies for email and classwork. If there is a medical reason to use a cell phone, that may be allowed per a 504, IEP,  or health plan, with prior approval. 

We understand that parents may need the ability to contact their child during the school day, so please do not hesitate to contact the office anytime and we can relay messages to students as needed.

Some of the challenges schools encounter with hundreds of students using cell phones on campus include:

• Students taking pictures of peers without permission.
• Students frequently taking out phones during classes.
• Students posting pictures and videos to social media during the school day.
• Students Air Dropping unwanted pictures or videos to others.
• Cyber bullying and/or gossip through texts, chats, or social media.

Consequences for not following the approved campus policy related to cell phones and other electronic devices will be as follows:

• The first time the device is confiscated, parents will be notified, and the student will be able to pick up the device from the classroom teacher or campus office at the end of the school day.
• The second time the device is confiscated, parents will be notified, and parents will be allowed to pick up the device from the campus office. 
• Repeat offenses will require parents to pick up the device. Additionally, students will be subject to consequences aligned with the Keller ISD Student Code of Conduct and may be subject to a $15 fine per occurrence.

We appreciate your support as we create a safe educational environment that is free from distractions for our students. 

Sincerely,

Brenda Riebkes

Principal 

Bear Creek Intermediate, 817-744-3650