Students and their parents in the Oxford and Lafayette County school districts are reminded to make sure they know and follow the schools’ policies regarding cell phone use – or risk having their phones taken away.

In Oxford, students may have a phone but it must remain out of sight and turned off. Any cell phone, or other personal device like Air Pods, that are turned on while on school property between the first and last bell of the school day could result in the device being confiscated until the end of the school day for a first offense. Subsequent offenses could result in an in-school suspension from one to five days.

Phones should also not be used while on school buses.

In the Lafayette County School District, no phones should be brought to school for students in the lower elementary schools. In Upper Elementary and Middle School, phones and other devices may not be used or be in sight unless directed by a school staff member for instructional purposes.

At Lafayette High, cell phones and other devices – tablets, iPads, et cetera, are allowed only at breakfast, break and lunch in the Commons. Otherwise, they should be off and put away.

The first time a student violates the rules, the device will be confiscated and retained until a parent or guardian has a meeting with an administrator and picks up the device.

In both districts, having a cell phone during statewide testing is prohibited.

Neither district has made any changes to its cell phone use policies for the upcoming school year.

Some Mississippi school districts have made more drastic changes regarding cell phones.

In Marshall County, the school district recently announced that students in grades 5 through 12 will be required to place their phones and smartwatches inside a locked pouch as soon as they arrive at the school.

The district purchased Yondr pouches for students to use to lock up their devices. According to Govspend, 41 districts nationwide have purchased the pouches in the past eight years, mostly since 2022.