Non-School Issued Connected Device Policy

To comply with New York State Education Department requirements, students may not use or have visible any personally owned, internet-enabled electronic device during the school day. This includes cell phones, tablets, Chromebooks, laptops, smartwatches, and similar devices. 

1. Student-owned devices are not to be used or displayed during school hours (8am to 3pm). 

2. Student-owned device, if brought to school, must in the off position during school hours and stored out of sight.

3. If there is evidence that a student uses a connected device during the school day, the student will be subject to the consequences outlined in the section entitled "Specific responses to Connected Devices Infractions." (This includes students calling or texting parents without the explicit permission of the school nurse or the principal/principal’s designee). 

• K - 5 Students: All devices must be turned off & stored out of sight

• 6 - 12 Students: All devices must be turned off & stored out of sight.

*If students need to place an emergency phone call during the day, they should request to go to the main office to use an office phone.

**If there is a medical reason a student requires a connected device, that will be allowed only per an IEP, 504 or health plan 

***The school and its staff are not responsible for any damage to or theft of a student’s connected device. Students must properly secure and take care of their own connected devices.

****Students will be subject to further disciplinary action if their use of their connected device disrupts the school’s educational environment. Examples of this include, but are not limited to: bullying, harassment, cheating, unlawful recording, or photographing, and/or violating other school rules.

FAQ

If a student violates the district’s internet-enabled device policy, the following will occur:

1. First Offense: If a device is seen (or heard) in a classroom/hallway/school space during school hours:

• The student is immediately instructed to bring their device to the main office. The student’s parents will be contacted about this infraction and required to pick up the device. The student will be assigned lunch detention or homeroom detention (depending on the time of the infraction).

2. Second Offense: If a device is seen (or heard) in a classroom/hallway/school space during school hours:

   1. • The student is immediately instructed to bring their device to the main office. The student’s parents will be contacted about this infraction and required to pick up the device. The student will serve 3 days of lunch detention. Prohibited from participating in any after school activities (including any scheduled practices, games, or club events) for the day of the infraction.

3. Third Offense (& beyond): If a device is seen (or heard) in a classroom/hallway/school space during school hours:

• The student is immediately instructed to bring their device to the main office. The student’s parents will be contacted about this infraction and required to pick up the device. The student will serve 5 days of lunch detention. Prohibited from participating in any after school activities for the day of the infraction and 4 additional days.

Failure to Surrender a Device

If an SSCS employee sees a student with a prohibited device, the employee will direct the student to report immediately to the Main Office with the device.

A student who refuses, delays, argues, or otherwise fails to comply promptly may be subject to the following consequences:

• The student’s parent or guardian must retrieve the device from school;

• The student will serve an in-school suspension;

• The student may be prohibited from participating in after-school activities for up to five weeks; and

• The device may be prohibited from school grounds for the remainder of the school year.

*Exceptions to this policy may be granted when required by law or authorized by the District for a documented medical need, an individualized education program, a Section 504 Plan, or another approved educational or safety-related purpose.

**The administration reserves the right to adjust these consequences on a case-by-case basis if needed. For example, extreme behaviors that break the law or engaging in bullying/harassment of other students may result in suspension.