USE OF CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES 

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CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The Board of Education understands that parents and guardians want to stay in touch with their children before and after school, especially for safety reasons. At the same time, the Board also understands that cell phones and other personal electronic devices, whether connected to the internet or not,—like smartwatches, ear buds, headphones, music players, and gaming devices—can distract students and disrupt learning (hereinafter referred to collectively as “personal electronic devices”).

These personal electronic devices can lead to problems such as bullying, harassment, and the sharing of inappropriate photos or videos. These issues take away from the school’s main purpose: helping students learn and grow in a safe, respectful environment. By prohibiting personal electronic device use during the school day, students are more likely to stay focused, connect with their classmates, and avoid distractions like texting or social media.

We want students to understand two key points:
1. There is a right time and place for using cell phones and other electronic devices.
2. Bringing these devices to school is a privilege, not a right—and it can be taken away if misused.

Therefore, all students are permitted to bring personal electronic devices to school; however, once a student enters the school building, personal electronic devices must be turned off and kept out of sight during the entire instructional day.  At the Elementary level, this means that personal electronic devices should be put away just prior to entering the building and remain away until students exit the building.  Personal electronic devices should be stored in a student's backpack and are the responsibility of the student.  At the secondary level, this means that personal electronic devices must be stored in a District provided storage pouch just prior to entering the building and remain in the District-provided pouch until 2:18 or regular dismissal. Students are responsible for maintaining their assigned pouch. The school day is defined as the “entirety of every instructional day…during all instructional time and non-instructional time, including but not limited to homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time” (N.Y. Education Law Section 2803).

PARENT/ GUARDIAN CONTACTING STUDENTS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
Parents wishing to contact students during the school day should contact the main office of the appropriate building.  A message will be provided to the student.  In a rare situation, the student may be called down to the office, guidance office, or other location to call a parent back.  Parents and Guardians are encouraged to sign up for text/email messaging from the District for information related to major events.  Parents will receive written notification of these contact methods at the beginning of the school year and upon enrollment. 

SCHOOL-ISSUED ELECTRONIC DEVICES 
The Board of Education recognizes that some electronic devices may serve as outstanding instructional tools and learning resources if used appropriately. Notwithstanding the above, at the direction of a faculty/staff member or in specific locations designated by the building administrator after getting feedback from faculty/staff, students may use school-issued electronic devices (i.e. Chromebooks) during the instructional day. All students will be issued a school-device for such purposes. Such use must be appropriate and consistent with the district’s Acceptable Use Policy and District Code of Conduct. 

EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED USES OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES  
Emergencies and Drills 
The use of personal electronic devices, including headphones and earbuds, is prohibited during all emergency situations and drills. Using these devices in an emergency situation or drill makes the individual and their peers less safe.   Students may miss directives from authorities, or their location may be revealed.

Use that Distracts or Disrupts Education 
The Board of Education prohibits the use of electronic devices that may distract from or disrupt the educational process and/or that may be used as weapons (including but not limited to laser pointers, light  pointers).  

Photographing, Videotaping, & Recording
The Board of Education prohibits audiotaping, videotaping or photographing on school property, except with written permission of a staff member or for the purpose of photographing or videotaping public events outside of regular school hours(e.g., athletic events, plays, concerts, awards ceremonies).  

A student who violates the expressly prohibited uses, set forth in the above three paragraphs, will be subject  to discipline in accordance with law and the District Code of Conduct.  

LOSS OF PRIVILEGES 

Adherence to the expectations listed above is essential to maintaining a safe and appropriate academic environment and the integrity of the classroom. Students must also comply with staff directives regarding the use of personal electronic devices. The district may not impose suspension from school if the sole grounds for the suspension is that the student accessed an internet-enabled device as prohibited by this policy (that rule does not apply to other personal electronic devices defined in this policy). Students using personal electronic devices in any manner that otherwise violates the Code of Conduct, including in a way that disrupts the educational environment, from within or from outside the classroom, or violates the rights of others, including, but not limited to, using the device in violation of academic honesty, violating school conduct rules, harassing or bullying staff or students, unauthorized photographing or video recording, or using their device for unlawful purposes will be subject to consequences, including disciplinary action, in accordance with the district’s Code of Conduct. 

When a student violates this policy, the personal electronic device (defined to include headphones and/or earbuds) will be confiscated for the remainder of the academic day. The student and administrator will review this policy. The student will be reminded that during the instructional day, personal electronic devices are not allowed to be on. For repeat violations, the student’s privilege to possess an electronic device on grounds will be suspended or revoked and a student may be required to surrender their personal electronic device upon entering the building for a period of time determined by the Building Administrator.  In addition, students failing to follow staff directives relating to personal electronic devices will be subject to other disciplinary action in accordance with the district’s Code of Conduct, up to and including out-of-school suspension. Each school is required to include their cell phone usage guidance in their student handbook. The guidance must provide the manner in which this policy will be enforced in the school. Each school must review the guidance with students on an annual basis.  

At the secondary level, if a student forgets their school-provided storage pouch, the electronic device will be turned over to a staff member upon entering the building and stored in the main office for the duration of the school day. Students are responsible for their assigned pouch. Replacement pouches may be purchased at cost. 

ENFORCEMENT 
It shall be the responsibility of all District staff members (including but not limited to administrators, teachers, teaching assistants, teacher aides, monitors, custodial, maintenance, and security guards) to enforce this policy and to report violations to the building administration. 

RESPONSIBILITY 
The decision to bring cell phones or other personal electronic devices to school or school-sponsored events rests with the individual student and their parents/guardians and therefore, the responsibility for such devices rests solely with the individual student. The School District discourages bringing personal electronic devices to school. The School District assumes no responsibility or liability whatsoever for investigating, repairing, or replacing a cell phone or other personal electronic device in the event that it is damaged, misplaced, or stolen during the school day, when on school property, or when in attendance at a school-sponsored event, whether on or off of school property. The School District further assumes no responsibility or liability for any claims, losses, damages, suits, expenses, or costs (including but not limited to communication bills, data usage bills) of any kind arising out of or related to the use or possession of a cell phone or other personal electronic device. 

EMPLOYEES 
Employees must keep personal electronic devices on silent during student instructional time and non-instructional time such as study halls, lunch, passing time. Failure to do so may subject the employee to discipline in accordance with law and any applicable collectively negotiated agreement.  Employees performing a security function, or employees taking students outside, are permitted to use their device for security-related functions. 

EXEMPTIONS
The District provides authorization for students to use their devices under the following circumstances:

• The District recognizes that certain individuals may qualify for disability and/or medically necessary exemptions by going through the 504 process, the CSE process, or a personal health plan.  These exemptions should be disability- and/or medically based, and should be reserved for extreme circumstances.  For example, a student monitors their blood sugar via an electronic device.
• On a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school
• social worker, school counselor, or a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the
• care and wellbeing of a family member.
• For Translation Services
• If authorized by the teacher/principal/school district for a specific purpose. (This should only be used in extenuating circumstances.)

DESIGNATED AREAS
Should students need to contact parents or guardians during the school day, students will have access to the school phone in designated areas, such as the main office.   Each building will also set up designated areas where cell phones and other electronic devices can be accessed in case of a personal emergency, with the permission of the building principal or designee. The building leader or designee will authorize use of a personal device.  The primary mode of communication should be through District phone.  Every effort should be made to avoid leaving during instructional time.

EXTRA CURRICULAR
The District recognizes that Advisors and Coaches will need to communicate with students during the school day.  All communication should utilize District-approved technology such as Google Classroom, Remind, or email.  The District has the right to update the approved technology list as necessary.  

POSTING OF POLICY
The District will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website. 

REPORTING AND MITIGATION PLAN
Beginning September 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the District will publish an annual report on its website detailing enforcement of this policy within the District in the prior school year. This report will include non-identifiable demographic data of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance and analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a mitigation action plan.