Cellphone & Electronic Device Policy

 

Cellphone & Electronic Device Policy

School Year 2022-2023

Dear Students and Families of P53K,

In 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools’ Chancellor Carmen Farina have lifted the ban on cell phones at schools, a policy affecting 1.1 million students. This change better enabled parents to stay in touch with their children, especially before and after school. Safety of our students is all of our responsibility. Together we can increase safety and promote responsible “Digital Citizenship” among students.

We have developed the following Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy for P53K:

1. Upon entering the school building all cell phones must be turned off, cannot be visible and must remain in the students’ school bags until the student exits the building. This includes any after-school programs.
2. While students are riding on DOE buses or on any school field trip/function, the Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy is in effect just as if the student was in a classroom during the school day.
3. Cell phones/electronic devices may not be turned on or used during school fire drills or other emergency preparedness exercises.
4. Cell phones/electronic devices may not be used in the cafeteria, schoolyard, hallways, and bathrooms.
5. Students who use cell phones, computing devices, and/or other 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.

If a student is found to be in violation of the Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy, the following protocol will be followed:

• 1st Violation: The cell phone/device will be taken from the student, placed in a secure location, and returned at the end of the school day.
• 2nd Violation: The phone will be taken from the student, placed in a secure location, and a parent will be contacted and required to pick up the cell phone/device.
• 3rd Violation: For the remainder of the year the student, upon entering the building, must give their cell phone/device to the Principal, Assistant Principals, or one of the Deans. The item will be placed in a secure location and can be picked up after dismissal.

Sincerely,

P53K Family