School Based Policy for Cell Phones

SCHOOL-BASED POLICY OF PS. 41 FOR USE OF CELL PHONES, COMPUTING DEVICES, AND PORTABLE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

Students are permitted to bring the following electronic items to school: 1) cell phones; 2) laptops, tablets, iPads and other similar 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 the lunchroom or bathrooms.

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

During the school day cell phones must be powered off and put away upon arrival.

C. Computing devices may be used as set forth below:

During the school day computing devices must be powered off and put away upon arrival.

D. Portable music and entertainment systems may be used as set forth below:

During the school day portable music and entertainment systems must be powered off and put away.

E. During after-school, school-sponsored activities:

During after-school, school-sponsored activities cell phones, computing devices, portable music and entertainment systems must be powered off and put away.

F. Confiscation and return of electronic items

If a portable music and entertainment system, computing device or cell phone is confiscated, the student’s parent/ guardian will be notified and will be required to pick up the device at the end of the school day. In the event a student’s portable music and entertainment system, computing device or cell phone is confiscated a second time, the parent will be required to pick up the confiscated item at the end of the school day and the student will be required to enter into a behavioral contract. If the student’s portable music and entertainment system, computing device or cell phone is confiscated a third time, the student’s privilege to bring the item to school will be revoked.

G. Discipline

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, and the school’s policy of 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.

(As of March 11th, 2015)