Student Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day
The Board of Education recognizes that student use of cellular phones and other internet-enabled devices in our schools may distract too many of our students from learning.
In accordance with state law, and as set forth in greater detail below, the District prohibits student use of internet-enabled devices during the school day.
Definitions:
- Internet-enabled devices: Any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or other device capable of connecting to the internet and enabling the user to access content on the internet, including social media applications; provided, however, that internet-enabled devices shall not include:
- non-internet-enabled devices such as cellular phones or other communication devices not capable of connecting to the internet or enabling the user to access content on the internet; or
- internet-enabled devices supplied by the school district, charter school, or board of cooperative educational services that are used for an educational purpose.
- School day: 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.
- School grounds: In or on or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the real property boundary line of a District elementary, intermediate, junior high, vocational, or high school, a charter school, or a board of cooperative educational services facility.
Parent/Person in Parental Relation Contact:
A parent/person in parental relation may contact their child or relay a message during the school day as follows:
- Call the main office of the school to leave a message and describe whether the situation requires:
- immediate attention (e.g., family emergency and the parent/guardian is picking the student up early),
- a return call from the school office phone because of a change in situation (e.g., student is taking a different bus to a secondary caregiver’s home at the end of the day), or
- a reminder to the student that needs to be relayed (e.g., music lesson after school). These calls should be limited.
- Email the main office and describe whether the situation requires:
- a return response because of a change in situation (e.g., student is taking a different bus to a secondary caregiver’s home at the end of the day), or
- a reminder to the student that needs to be relayed (e.g., music lesson after school). These emails should be limited.
Unless the situation is an emergency requiring immediate contact with a student, the student will not be called to the main office until passing or a break in instruction.
At the beginning of each school year, and upon enrollment of a student during the school year, the District will provide written notification to parents/persons in parental relation of these methods of contacting students during the school day.
Storage of Devices: Students who choose or whose parents/persons in parental relation allow students to bring their internet-enabled devices to school must store them in their lockers or in a locked cabinet in the main office unless there is explicit exception from the school principal to use a device during the school day. The district is not responsible for lost or stolen devices.
Exceptions: Students may use internet-enabled devices during the school day in the following circumstances:
- if such use is explicitly included in their individualized education program or 504 plan, and/or if otherwise required by law;
- if authorized by a principal or the school district in writing for a specific educational purpose including specialized classes or course projects, or for preparation for post-secondary time and resource management;
- where necessary for the management of a student's healthcare based on medical documentation specifying why the device must be used;
- in the event of an emergency as determined by the Superintendent of Schools, building principal and/or their designee;
- for translation services, upon prior written authorization by a principal or the school district; or
- on a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor, and approved in writing by the building principal and/or their designee for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and wellbeing of a family member.
Enforcement:
Students who do not adhere to this policy may have their devices confiscated, may be subject to stricter rules for storage (e.g., office storage only), and/or may be subject to discipline up to and including suspension for failure to adhere to the reasonable directions of teachers, administrators, and/or other school employees; or for being disruptive. The District may not suspend a student if the sole basis for the suspension is the student having accessed an internet-enabled device in violation of this policy.
Reporting:
By September 1, 2026, and each September 1st thereafter, the Superintendent will publish an annual report on the District website that details the enforcement of this policy within the District including non-identifiable demographic data of students who were subject to disciplinary measures for noncompliance, and analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, such a report must include a mitigation plan.
Ref:
NYS Education Law 2803(c)
NYS Education Department’s Accountability under the Every Student Succeeds Act guidance document.
Cross ref:
#4526 Responsible Use Policy
#5300 Code of Conduct
Adopted: July 2, 2025
