B Here. B Now. B Engaged.

B Here, B Now, B Engaged is Barrington 220's initiative to minimize non-academic device use during class time, promoting engagement, learning, and well-being.

These guidelines were generated by the Social Media & Digital Citizenship (SMADC) Advisory Committee, which represents a cross-functional group of stakeholders in the Barrington 220 community. These guidelines represent a full year of research, community engagement, focus group data analysis, and district and building administrator feedback. With lawmakers in Springfield considering a ban on cellphone usage in classrooms across Illinois, Barrington 220 is ahead of the curve in enacting these guidelines now ahead of the 2025-2026 school year.

Expectations across District 220:

• Personal devices brought to school must remain powered off and out of sight.
• Elementary schools: This applies to the entire day.
• Middle schools: This applies to all instructional periods. There will be an opportunity to use devices at lunch.
• High school: During instructional time, devices must be powered off and stored out of sight in designated phone storage locations/lockers in all academic and support settings as directed by classroom teachers. They can be used during non-class time (e.g., before school, lunch, passing periods, after school).
• Devices are not to be used in restrooms or locker/changing rooms. 

School Day Expectations (this includes recess, lunch, school buses, and other school environments).

Elementary Schools

• Personal devices brought to school must remain powered off and out of sight, including, but not limited to: smartphones, smartwatches, headphones for recreational use, and other personal devices.
• Devices are not to be used in restrooms or locker/changing rooms. 
• Specific devices may be permitted only when authorized by staff for educational purposes.
• The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal devices.
• Students with documented medical needs requiring personal smart devices may use them with prior approval from the school administration. Documentation from a medical provider may be required. Recommendations must be documented on a student's health care plan, 504 plan, and/or with the the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The principal may approve emergency exceptions.

Corrective Actions/Interventions

School administrators and staff will implement corrective actions/interventions on a case-by-case basis. The following continuum will be used based upon an incident's severity, nature, and circumstances in accordance with Board Policy 7:190, Student Behavior.

• Instruct the student to return the device to their locker and/or secure location.
• Re-teach the expectations and the reasons the expectations exist.
• Provide a verbal warning from the teacher, staff, and/or a building administrator.
• Issue a parent notification and/or conference to teach/re-teach expectations.
• Hold the device for the school day in the classroom or Main Office; the parent/guardian must pick up the device from the Main Office.
• Restrict person device privileges.

Additional disciplinary actions/interventions may be taken depending on the incident.

Middle Schools

• During the academic day, personal devices brought to school must remain powered off and out of sight, including, but not limited to, smartphones, smartwatches, headphones for recreational use, and other personal devices.
• Devices are not to be used in restrooms or locker/changing rooms.
• iPads will be allowed at lunch, however, there will be iPad-free areas in each lunchroom for students and families who wish to not use technology at lunch time.
• Certain devices may be permitted only when authorized by staff for educational purposes.
• Students with documented medical needs requiring personal smart devices may use them with prior approval from the school administration. Documentation from a medical provider may be required. Recommendations must be documented on a student's health care plan, 504 plan, and/or with the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The principal may approve emergency exceptions.

Corrective Actions/Interventions

School administrators and staff will implement corrective actions/interventions on a case-by-case basis after all students have reviewed the guidelines at the beginning of the school year. The following continuum will be used based upon an incident's severity, nature, and circumstances in accordance with Board Policy 7:190, Student Behavior.

• Staff holds the device until the end of the class period.
• Staff issues a parent notification and/or conference to teach/re-teach expectations.
• Administrator holds the device for the school day in the Main Office; the parent/guardian must pick up the device from the Main Office.
• Restrict personal device privileges.

Additional disciplinary actions/interventions may be taken depending on the incident.

High School

• Personal devices (including, but not limited to: smartphones and smartwatches) must be:
• Powered off and stored out of sight in designated phone pouches or lockers in all academic and support settings as directed by classroom teachers.
• Not used in restrooms or locker rooms. Students are not permitted to carry devices when the classroom for the restroom.
• Used only during non-class time (e.g. before school, lunch, passing periods, after school)
• The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal devices.
• Certain devices may be permitted only when authorized by staff for educational purposes.
• Students with documented medical needs requiring personal smart devices may use them with prior approval from the school administration. Documentation from a medical provider may be required. Recommendations must be documented on a student's health care plan, 504 plan, and/or with the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The principal may approve emergency exceptions.

Corrective Actions/Interventions

 

School administrators and staff will implement corrective actions/interventions on a case-by-case basis after all students have reviewed the guidelines at the beginning of the school year. The following continuum will be used based upon an incident's severity, nature, and circumstances in accordance with Board Policy 7:190, Student Behavior. 

• Staff holds the device until the end of the class period.
• Staff issues a parent notification and/or conference to teach/re-teach expectations.
• Administrator holds the device for the school day in Student Services; the parent/guardian must pick up the device from Student Services.
• Restrict personal device privileges.

Additional disciplinary actions/interventions may be taken depending on the incident.

By implementing B Here, B Now, B Engaged, Barrington 220 is prioritizing presence, focus, and connection in every learning environment. These guidelines ensure technology supportsstudents engagement and well-being. This initiative positions our district as a leader in responsible, student-centered technology use, setting the tone for a more mindful and connected 2025–2026 school year.