Personal Device Use Policy

Personal Device Ban in Effect for K-12 Schools (updated 8/13)

Utah Senate Bill 69 (2026) prohibits student use of cellphones, smartwatches, and emerging technology during instructional time. What will this look like at Mana Academy? Mana Academy has adopted the following policy:

ALL PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY FROM THE START BELL (8:30 AM) TO THE END OF DAY BELL (3:30 PM MON-THUR, 1:30 PM FRI)  

PERSONAL DEVICES INCLUDE (but not limited to):

• Cell phones, iPads or other smart pads. 

• Personal laptops, gaming devices, and Extended Reality (XR) Headsets, etc. 

• AirPods or other brands of earbuds, headphones, bluetooth speakers, etc.

• Smartwatches with calling capabilities are allowed but it has to be silenced during school hours. 

• Emerging technologies such as Meta glasses or other smart glasses, etc.

PROHIBITED TIMES FOR PERSONAL DEVICES:   

• During class time.

• During breakfast & lunch.

• During the advisory class period (secondary grades).

• During passing periods. 

• While using the hall pass.

• In the bathrooms or anywhere there is an expectation of privacy.

• During an evacuation or safety drill or emergency situation unless/until directed by school personnel.

EXCEPTIONS:

• Students with a need to use a device as written in a 504 or IEP. 

• Students who need the device to address an active, documented medical necessity.

• Responding to an imminent threat to the health or safety of individuals.

• School Emergencies: Responding directly to a school-wide emergency.

• SafeUT Crisis Line: Accessing the SafeUT Crisis Line application or services.

After school activities such as practices/rehearsals, after school programs, may be considered instructional time if communicated as such by the teacher. 

Teachers WILL NOT use the students’ personal devices as instructional tools in the classroom to avoid sending mixed messages. Instead, students will be expected to use school issued technology when appropriate.

During the school day, devices must be turned off and stored inside the student’s backpack. 

IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, PARENTS CAN ALWAYS CONTACT THEIR STUDENT BY CALLING THE MAIN OFFICE at 801-972-6262. 

Students who need to use a phone during the school day or instructional time will come to the front desk to do so with permission from their teacher. 

CONSEQUENCES

A teacher, administrator or other school official may confiscate the cell phone or electronic device of those who violate the rules and guidelines that have been established.  All confiscated devices will be sent to the front office immediately.

If any electronic device is confiscated and brought to the office, the following steps will be taken:

1st Offense: Item returned to the student at the end of the day

2nd Offense: Item returned to the student at the end of the day, parents notified

3rd Offense:  Item returned to parents ONLY, following a meeting with an administrator

The school will not assume responsibility for theft, loss, or damage of a cell phone or any other electronic device. The school will also not assume responsibility for any unauthorized usage of a cell phone while it is on Mana Academy property.