CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Starting Jan. 1, Chesterfield County Public Schools students will have to follow an updated cellphone policy. At its monthly meeting on Dec. 10., the School Board passed the updated policy regarding student cellphone use at Chesterfield County Schools. According to the policy, all students of Chesterfield County Schools are allowed to possess a cellphone or other personal electronic communication device while on school property during the instructional day, however, the phone or device should be turned off and stored in their backpack. The policy defines an "instructional day" as when the first bell rings at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the school day. This includes lunch and the time in between class periods. For a cellphone or communication device to be considered properly "stored," it must not be carried on the student's person, including not in the student's pocket. Options to store such devices include inside the student's backpack, locker or in a designated place in the classroom. Policy for elementary and middle schools If a student is found in violation of the policy, it may result in the confiscation of the cellphone or device. Repeated violations of these procedures could result in the loss of these privileges and may result in in-school detention or out-of-school suspension -- which can reach up to 10 days for middle schoolers. Additionally, an elementary or middle school student who is found using a cellphone or other personal electronic communication device during any testing situation will have the device immediately confiscated and will lose privileges for the remainder of the school year, according to the policy. The policy states that any student who uses a cellphone or other communication device for unlawful activity while on school property, or while attending any school function or activity, will be subject to disciplinary action that may include out-of-school suspension or a recommendation for expulsion. According to the policy, if a student refuses to hand over a cellphone or communication device, it will be considered a refusal to comply with a staff member's request and therefore may result in more severe disciplinary consequences. Policy for high schools According to Matoaca High School, the policy changes will have little impact on current practices in elementary and middle schools, however, there will be significant changes in high schools. The cellphone policy for Chesterfield County high schools is similar to the policies for the middle schools, with any student found in violation of the policy, may have their device confiscated, lose their privileges, and have in-school detention or out-of-school suspension for up to 10 days. The cellphone policy for the high schools also follows the same guidelines for school testing and for unlawful activity while on school property or attending a school function or activity as previously defined for the middle and elementary schools. However, according to the policy, if a student is found in violation of using a cellphone or other electronic communication device in a Chesterfield County high school, the following consequences will be issued: 1st Violation Cellphone or personal electronic communication device is confiscated and given to the administration. Cellphone or personal electronic communication device is returned to the student at the end of the day. 2nd Violation Cellphone or personal electronic communication device is confiscated and given to the administration. Cellphone or personal electronic communication device is returned to the parent at the end of the day. Students are subject to appropriate disciplinary consequences which may include in-school detention. 3rd Violation and Subsequent Violations Cellphone or personal electronic communication device is confiscated and given to the administration. Parents must schedule a parent/student/administrator conference between 8 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Cellphone or personal electronic communication device is returned to the parent. Additional violations of the appropriate school-use expectations may result in the loss of the privilege to have a cellphone or personal electronic communication device on school grounds. Students are subject to appropriate disciplinary consequences which may include in-school detention or out-of-school suspension. Cellphone policy on school buses Cellphones and other communication devices on elementary school buses, which are considered to be an extension of school property, should be turned off and stored in backpacks. According to the policy, the use of cellphones or other personal electronic communication devices to record misbehavior on school buses is prohibited and in violation of the acceptable use policy. The policy states that repeated violations of these procedures on elementary school buses could result in the loss of these privileges, as well as suspension from the school bus or out-of-school suspension for an indefinite amount of days. On middle and high school buses, cellphones and other communication devices may be used -- however, the use of these devices to record misbehavior on the bus is prohibited. According to the policy, repeated violation of these procedures on middle and high school buses could result in the loss of these privileges, as well as suspension from the school bus or out-of-school suspension of up to 10 days. The policy states that these procedures will remain in place until there is a school division or school-defined emergency whereby students can then turn on or use a cellphone or personal communication device. "An additional exemption can be determined, if necessary, by the school division and/or school principal on a case-by-case basis, including field trips, extracurricular activities, etc.," the policy reads. To view the updated cellphone policy at Chesterfield County Public Schools, go here.