Electronic Communications

Sending, sharing, viewing, or possessing pictures, text messages, emails, or other material of a sexual nature in electronic or any other form, including the contents of a cell phone or other electronic device is ground for suspension or expulsion.

Important notice to Students and Parents Regarding Cell Phone Content and Display

  • The Child Abuse/Neglect Law requires school personnel to report to law enforcement or child protective services whenever there is reason to believe that any person/student is involved with “child exploitation” or “child pornography” as defined by Indiana Criminal Statutes.

  • It is “child exploitation,” a Class C felony under I.C. 35-42-4-4(b), for any person/student (1) to exhibit, photograph or create a digitized image of any incident that includes “sexual conduct” by a child under the age of 18; or (2) to disseminate, exhibit to another person, or offer to so disseminate or exhibit, matter that depicts or describes “sexual conduct” by a child under the age of 18.

  • It is “child pornography,” a Class D felony under I.C. 35-42-4-4(c), for any person/student to possess a photograph, motion picture, digitized image, or any pictorial representation that depicts or describes “sexual conduct” by a child who the person knows is less than 16 years of age or who appears less than age 16.

  • “Sexual conduct” is defined by I.C. 35-42-4-4(a) to include sexual intercourse, exhibition of the uncovered genitals intended to satisfy or arouse the sexual desires of any person, or any fondling or touching of a child by another person or of another person by a child intended to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of the child or other person.

  • The Indiana Sex Offender Registration Statute at I.C. 11-8-8-7 and the Sex Offender Registry Offense Statute at I.C. 35-42-4-11, as of May 2009, require persons convicted of or adjudicated as a juvenile delinquent for violating the Child Exploitation Statute at I.C. 35-42-4-4(b) to register as a sex offender.

  • Because student cell phones have been found in a number of Indiana school districts to have contained evidence of “sexual conduct” as defined above, it is important for parents and students to be aware of the legal consequences should this occur in our school system.

Electronic Books

Recognizing the new technology concerning electronic books, UTSC establishes the following policies concerning the use of electronic books during school hours:

  • Students are allowed to have E-Readers during the school day once registered.

  • E-Books must be turned off and only used or visible with the permission of a member of the administration, faculty, or staff.

  • E-Books must be registered with the building principal.           See form at back of handbook.

  • E-Books must be turned off and are not allowed to be used by students riding UTSC buses.

  • UTES are not responsible for lost, broken or stolen E-Readers.

Cellular Phones/Smart Watches/Devices

Recognizing the need for ease of communication with home concerning transportation and in emergencies, UTES establishes the following policies concerning the use of cellular devices during school hours:

  • Students are allowed to have cellular devices including but not limited to phones and smart watches in their book-bag during the school day.

  • Cellular devices including but not limited to phones and devices must be turned off, during school hours and on buses. They may only be used or visible with the permission of a member of the administration, faculty, or staff.

  • Devices must be registered with the building principal. *see form at back of handbook.

  • UTSC is not responsible for lost or stolen devices.

Weapons: Interfering with the normal operations of the school.  This includes knowingly possessing, firing, displaying, or threatening use of firearms, explosives, or other weapons.

Engaging in any activity forbidden by the laws of Indiana.