"Silent and away, feel great and focus all day!"

As we prepare for the 2024-2025 school year, we want to share some important information regarding some new procedures that will affect all students in our district.

As you know, our top priorities are always to ensure that our students receive sound instructional time in the safest learning environments possible and that we adhere to policies mandated by the South Carolina General Assembly. A new proviso attached to the 2024-2025 South Carolina State Budget requires all school districts in the state to implement a policy by no later than January 2025 prohibiting student use of all cellular devices during the school day.

After careful consideration, district and school administrators in Lexington Three have determined that the best course of action is to begin enforcing this new procedure at the start of the school year rather than waiting until January 2025. Implementing this change mid-year would pose significant challenges and starting now will allow for a smoother transition for everyone involved.

New Procedure on Cellular Devices and Accessories

Starting on July 30th, which is the official first day of the 2024-2025 school year, students will not be permitted to use cellular devices during school hours. If it is necessary for your child to have a phone with them, it must be kept in their book bag, out of sight, and in silent mode from the sounding of the first school bell until dismissal. Additionally, smart watches, earbuds, AirPods, and all other similar accessories must also be kept out of sight and on silent mode during the school day.

Teachers and administrators will only enforce consequences for students whose devices or accessories are visible or heard. Consequences will be as follows:

• First Offense – 1 day of In-School Suspension

• Second Offense – 1 day of Out-of-School Suspension and a parent conference

• Third Offense – 5 days of Out-of-School Suspension

• Fourth Offense – Recommendation for Expulsion/Alternative Program

Opportunity to Address Vaping and Tobacco Use

Lexington Three also sees this as an opportunity to strengthen our stance on vaping and tobacco use at school. Consequences for violating the district’s procedures on vaping and tobacco use will be as follows.

• First Offense – 1 day of Out-of-School Suspension and parent conference

• Second Offense – 5 days of Out-of-School Suspension 

• Third Offense – Recommendation for Expulsion/Alternative Program 

We believe that by taking these steps, we can create a more focused and distraction-free learning environment for all students, thus increasing learning. We appreciate your support and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school administration.