Cell Phone Policy

SCHOOL-BASED POLICY 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 (“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 conditions 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. 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.

  4. Cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems may not be used in locker rooms or bathrooms.

  5. Students who use cell phones, computing devices, and/or portable music and entertainment systems in violation of any provision of the DOE’s Discipline Code, the school’s policy, Chancellor’s regulation A-413, and/or the DOE’s Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy (“IAUSP”) will be subject to discipline in accordance with the guidance interventions and disciplinary responses set forth in the Discipline Code.

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

During the school day:

· Cell phones may not be turned on or used while on school property.

During after-school, school-sponsored programs or activities:

· Cell phones may not be turned on or used while on school property.

Computing devices may be used as set forth below:

During the school day:

· Computing devices may not be turned on or used while on school property.

During after-school, school-sponsored programs or activities:

· Computing devices may not be turned on or used while on school property.

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

During the school day:

· Portable music and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used while on school property.

During after-school, school-sponsored programs or activities:

· Portable music and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used while on school property.

C. Confiscation and return of electronic items

If a cell phone, computing device, or portable music and entertainment system is seen or heard by a staff member, that item will be confiscated and submitted to the main office, where it will be stored in a locked area. The item will be returned between 2:45 and 3:45 Monday thru Friday to a parent/guardian.