Discipline at WUSD

As the start of the 2026-27 school year gets closer, we wanted to make sure everyone was informed as to the new electronic device rules adopted for the 2026-27 school year, in accordance with state law. 

For students in TK-5:

SmartPhone/Cell Phone: students are prohibited from having phones on their person during school hours.

Smartwatches: Allowed for all students provided they are not a distraction, nuisance or make noise. Watches should be in "school mode" to limit temptation and distraction. lf watches are a nuisance or a distraction they are subject to penalty

EarBuds/Ear Phones/AirPods: Not allowed during school hours.

For students in 6-8:

SmartPhone/Cell Phone: 6-8 students may have them in a backpack, turned off, but may not access them during school hours unless instructed to do so by a teacher or staff member for a legitimate educational purpose.

Smartwatches: Allowed for all students provided they are not a distraction, nuisance or make noise. Watches should be in "school mode" to limit temptation and distraction. lf watches are a nuisance or a distraction they are subject to penalty

EarBuds/Ear Phones/AirPods: Not allowed during school hours.

For students in 9-12:

SmartPhone/Cell Phone: Students must place phones in designated holders in classrooms and they must be turned off during all class and instructional time, unless otherwise instructed by a teacher. Students may access them during lunch and break. If a phone is seen or heard during a prohibited time or is a nuisance, it is subject to penalty.

Smartwatches: Allowed for all students provided they are not a distraction, nuisance or make noise. Watches should be in "school mode" to limit temptation and distraction. lf watches are a nuisance or a distraction they are subject to penalty

EarBuds/Ear Phones/AirPods: Allowed in class at teacher discretion for legitimate educational purposes and during lunch, break and passing periods.

Students who do not follow the rules will be subject to progressive discipline, as shown on the discipline matrix below.

Discipline Matrix for Electronic Devices:

A few additional pieces of information:

A student shall not be prohibited from possessing or using a mobile communication device under any of the following circumstances: 

• In the case of an emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger 
• When a teacher or administrator grants permission to the student to possess or use a mobile communication device, subject to any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher or administrator 
• When a licensed physician or surgeon determines that the possession or use is necessary for the student's health and well-being 
• When the possession or use is required by the student's individualized education program

At Windsor Unified School District, a culture of respect guides the behavior and actions of our school community. School policies and rules will be reinforced when students are on campus, in transit to or from WUSD, and while attending any school-sponsored event. 

The purpose of a behavior matrix is to provide a predictable, progressive, and uniform guide for responding to challenging and dangerous behaviors that supports objectivity and consistency while maintaining a safe environment. Clarity may reduce disproportionate responses. When students fail to follow the school’s rules of conduct the following disciplinary consequences will be imposed in accordance with the severity of the situation and violation of school rules.

The overarching goal of our discipline model is to keep the focus on learning, while maintaining a classroom and campus that’s physically and emotionally safe for all. When appropriate, restorative practices will be employed with students. Restorative school discipline practices—also called positive discipline, responsive classroom, or empowerment—focus on fostering a sense of community within classrooms to prevent conflict, and on reacting to misconduct by encouraging students to accept responsibility and rebuild relationships. 

Below you will find Behavior Matrices for 3-5^th grade, and 6-12^th grade. These are seperate, to reflect the unique needs of different age groups, as well as state law governing allowed disciplinary actions at each grade level.