Cell Phone Policy

Internet-Enabled Device (IED) Policy

Purpose

In accordance with the New York State Education Law §2803; this policy supports a safe and focused learning environment by prohibiting students from using any internet-enabled device while on school grounds during the school day (bell to bell).

Definitions

Internet-enabled devices shall mean any device capable of connecting to the Internet and enabling the user to access content on the Internet, including but not limited to social media applications. Such devices shall include, but are not limited to, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, and other portable electronic communication or computing devices. This definition does not include Internet-enabled devices that the school district supplies for educational purposes.

School Day shall mean the entirety of every instructional day (bell to bell), including during instructional and non-instructional time, including but not limited to homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study hall, and passing time.

School Grounds shall mean in or on or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the real property boundary line of the District.

Covered Devices

Any internet-enabled device, including but not limited to earbuds, smartwatches, cellphones, and tablets.

Policy Exceptions

Exceptions to the policy may be allowed only for:

Educational Activities: if authorized by the school principal.
Health and Safety: If documented medical needs are in place with a physician’s order and are reflected in SchoolTool.
Special Accommodations: if documented accommodations are on a student’s IEP or 504 Plan.
Language Needs: if translation is not available through a school-issued device.
Legal Requirements: When the use of such devices is required by law.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to follow these guidelines:

Upon arrival at school, all internet-enabled devices should be powered off throughout the instructional day (bell to bell). Devices can be powered on only when students are off school grounds.
Upon arrival at school, students must store their devices in a designated secure location.
1. Students who arrive late must turn in their devices to the school office, where they will be secured in a locked box.
2. Devices may not be used during lunch, recess, or passing time.
Students cannot attempt to access their devices during the school day.
Students will retrieve their device from the designated secure location.
It is highly recommended that students not bring any internet-enabled devices to school.
In emergencies, students can request from an adult to use the phone in the school office to contact their parent or guardian.
If the student attends an after-school program, they are expected to keep their device powered off to maintain a distraction-free learning environment.

Staff Responsibilities

All staff are expected to follow these guidelines:

Model appropriate device use and consistently enforce policy expectations.
Internet-enabled devices cannot be used in the presence of students; personal devices should only be used in a private space outside of student view.
1. Due to the safety & security protocols, school administrators will be able to use their district-provided devices for work-related tasks throughout the school day
2. Staff may need to periodically use their device to authenticate their access to various technology-based applications
3. Department staff may use their professional discretion to use their device to communicate district business
Collect and secure devices if students are found in violation.
Submit devices to an administrator or the school office following each infraction.
Use restorative approaches and de-escalation techniques.
Partner with administration and families when patterns of non-compliance emerge.

Parent and Guardian Expectations

Parents and guardians are asked to follow these guidelines:

Discuss this policy with the students and reinforce the importance of device-free learning environments.
Ensure students understand expectations before the first day of school.
Retrieve confiscated devices when required.
Use established office communication protocols to reach students during the day.
Contact the school office if there is a need for a parent to communicate with a student.
1. Non-emergency communications will be shared with the student during non-instructional times (e.g., lunch, recess, transitions)
2. Emergency communications can include the student coming to the school office to speak with their parent or guardian

Progressive Response to Student Non-Compliance

If a phone is seen (or heard) in a classroom/hallway/school space during school hours, the following responses will occur:

Offense	Consequence
1st Violation	The device is immediately given to the adult and can be picked up by the student in the school office at the end of the day. If the device is not immediately given to the adult, someone from the administrative team will confiscate it. The device will remain in the school office until a caregiver comes to pick it up.
2nd Violation	The device is immediately given to the adult, and a parent or caregiver must pick it up in the school office at the end of the school day. If the device isn't immediately given to the adult, someone from the administrative team will confiscate it. The device will remain in the school office until a caregiver comes to pick it up. On that day, the student serves In-School Suspension (ISS) for the remainder of the day. Students cannot attend clubs, sports, dances, or extracurricular activities that day.
3rd Violation & Beyond	The device is immediately given to the adult, and a parent or caregiver must pick it up in the school office at the end of the school day. If the device isn't immediately given to the adult, someone from the administrative team will confiscate it. The device will remain in the school office until a caregiver comes to pick it up. On that day, the student serves In-School Suspension (ISS) for the remainder of the day. Students cannot attend clubs, sports, dances, or extracurricular activities that day. A parent or guardian conference is required, and additional consequences may be assigned for a pattern of insubordination and non-compliance (e.g., out-of-school suspension (OSS), reflection session, lunch detention, loss of device privileges).

When a student's device is confiscated, it will be stored in the school office in a secure space until the parent or guardian picks it up.
Suspension is not a permitted consequence for violating the IED policy. However, suspension may be considered in cases of insubordination, refusal to comply with adult direction, or related misconduct under the district’s Code of Conduct.

Communication and Training

Informing our community is an essential part of executing this policy. Our plans to ensure our community is prepared for this policy are:

This policy will be communicated to families in writing before the start of each year and upon enrollment.
This policy will be translated into Spanish. All other language translations will be provided upon request.
Student orientation on this policy will occur during the first week of school.
Staff will receive training about this policy, its enforcement, and the use of restorative strategies.

Review and Accountability

Transparency, gathering community feedback, and revising this policy will be annual activities that coincide with the Code of Conduct updates.

This policy will be made accessible to the community on the district website.
An annual summary report of this policy enforcement detailing discipline data (including demographic disparities) will be shared on the district website by September 1.
This policy will be reviewed each June and revised based on community feedback.

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