Staff may possess and use Portable Electronic Devices (PED’s), including but not limited to cellular telephones, MP3 and similar music players, radios, Walkmans, CD players, tape recorders and players, scanners, wireless email devices, cameras, etc., subject to limitations of this and other policies of the School under the following conditions and guidelines:

PED’s shall not be turned on or used in any way in classrooms, during instructional time, when an employee is or should be supervising students or when their use is otherwise prohibited by school policy. Instructional time includes the entire period of a scheduled class, and other times when students are participating in any instructional activities (for example, during student assemblies, awards or other public ceremonies, etc.)

PED’s are allowed to be taken and used on school trips except that they may not be used during any instructional activity, student supervision or at other times when school policies prohibit their use.

Use of cameras or the camera features on a cell phone or other PED’s in a restroom or for any use constituting an invasion of any person's reasonable expectation of privacy is strictly prohibited.

PED’s shall not be used during work hours, while supervising students, while driving for school related purposes and when such devices would otherwise distract employees from the performance of employee’s duties or from the vigilant supervision and control of students.

The basic purpose to be served by this policy is that employees refrain from all use of PED’s during the work day and their performance of their professional duties in order to maintain the focus on the students and their employment responsibilities. This policy expects the common sense action of all employees to accomplish the above purpose and any action or conduct which violates that purpose shall be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Any use of a PED must be strictly limited to lunch period when not supervising children. Further, any such calls or use must terminate at or before the termination of any such lunch time, Use of PED’s during periods of student supervision responsibilities is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate and severe disciplinary action.

CD/Radio players only may be used for school educational purposes, subject to prior approval of the Principal.

The use of PED’s can compromise the health, safety and welfare of our students and staff. Further, use of PED’s during work time is unprofessional conduct and diminishes the efficiency and value of employee services to the school. Therefore, this policy shall be strictly applied.

Life Essence Academy is NOT responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged PEDs or any other personal property an employee may bring to Life Essence Academy or Life Essence Academy activities. The owner/employee assumes all risks for PEDs or other personal property brought to Life Essence Academy or Life Essence Academy activities. Life Essence Academy will not provide compensation for any item or PED which has been confiscated, lost, stolen or damaged.