School Policies & Procedures

School Policies & Procedures

SCHOOL-BASED POLICY OF PS K140 FOR USE OF CELL PHONES, COMPUTING DEVICES, AND PORTABLE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS

Students are permitted to bring the following electronic items to school: 1) cell phones; 2) laptops, tablets, iPads and other similar computing devices (“computing devices”); and 3) portable music and entertainment systems, such as iPods, MP3 players, PSP, and Nintendo DS.

A. The use of cell phones, computing devices and portable music and entertainment systems at school is subject to the restrictions below.

1. Cell phones and portable music and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used during the administration of any school quiz, test or examination. 
2. Computing devices may not be turned on or used during the administration of any school quiz, test or examination, except where such use has been explicitly authorized by the school or is contained in an Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Accommodation Plan. 
3. Use of cell phones, computing devices, portable music and entertainment systems and other electronic devices during the administration of state standardized examinations is governed by State Education Department Rules. 
4. Cell phones, computing devices and portable music and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used during school fire drills or other emergency preparedness exercises. 
5. Cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems may not be used in locker rooms or bathrooms. 

B. Cell phones may be used as set forth below: 

During the school day: 

• Cell phones must be collected by the school when students enter the school building and stored in a designated location until the end of the school day.
• Cell phones may not be turned on or used while on school property. 
• Cell phones may not be used in areas where swimming pools are located.
• Cell phones may not be turned on or used during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher. 
• Cell phones may not be used during the instructional day unless part of a structured plan, such as part of a student contract, Interim Crisis Management Plan, IEP mandate or Behavior Intervention Plan During after-school, school-sponsored programs or activities: 
• Cell phones and other portable devices may only be used on school-sponsored trips for entertainment purposes. 
• Students may use approved devices to engage in activities, such as playing age-appropriate games and listening to music with headphones. 

C. Computing devices may be used as set forth below (select applicable option(s) or select other options consistent with Regulation A-413). 

During the school day: 

• Computing devices may not be used in areas where swimming pools are located. 
• Computing systems may not be turned on or used during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher. 
• Computing systems may be turned on and used only during instructional time for instructional and educational purposes. During after-school, school-sponsored programs or activities: 
• Students may use approved devices to engage in activities, such as playing age-appropriate games and listening to music with headphones. 

D. Portable music and entertainment systems may be used as set forth below (select applicable option(s) or select other options consistent with Regulation A-413). 

During the school day: 

• Portable music and entertainment systems may not be used in areas where swimming pools are located. 
• Portable music devices and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used while on school property. 
• Portable music devices and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher. 
• Portable music devices may not be used during the instructional day unless part of a structured plan, such as part of a student contract, Interim Crisis Management Plan, IEP mandate or Behavior Intervention Plan 

During after-school, school-sponsored activities:

• Students may use approved devices to engage in activities, such as playing age-appropriate games and listening to music with headphones.

E. Confiscation and return of electronic items 

Students who fail to follow established cell phone and electronic device policies will be subject to the following disciplinary actions by the school’s administration: 

• warnings 
• confiscation of item and return at end of school day 
• confiscation of item and return following parent conference 
• confiscation of item and return following student entering into behavioral contract 
• revocation of privilege to bring item to school. 

Students are reminded that they should turn in ALL electronic items to their teacher at the beginning of the day. Items must be secured under lock and key. Students who voluntarily turn in their items will receive their items at the end of the day. 

Students who use cell phones, computing devices, and/or portable music and entertainment system in violation of any provision of the DOE’s Discipline Code, the school’s policy, Chancellor Regulation A-413, and/or the DOE’s Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy (“ISUSP”) will be subject to discipline in accordance with the guidance interventions and disciplinary responses set forth in the Discipline Code. Additionally, students found in violation of said policy will have their electronic devices immediately confiscated and the item will only be returned following a parent conference.