Cell-Phone-Policy ***

 

MODEL SCHOOL-BASED POLICY OF MANHATTAN CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND  MATHEMICS 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. 

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. Use of cell phones, computing devices, portable music and entertainment systems and other electronic devices during the administration of state standardized examinations is governed by State Education Department Rules. 
4. 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. 
5. Cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems may not be used in locker rooms or bathrooms. 

During the school day: 

• • • Cell phones may not be turned on or used while on school property. 
    • Cell phones may not be turned on or used during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher. 
    • Cell phones may be used during the following non-instructional times of the school day:  Lunch Periods in the following designated areas:  Cafeteria.

During the school day: 

• • • Computing systems may not be turned on or used during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher. 
    • Computing systems may be turned on and used only during instructional time for instructional and educational purposes. 
    • Computing devices may be used during the following non-instructional times of the school day: Lunch Periods in the following designated areas: Cafeteria. 

During the school day: 

• • • Portable music devices and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used while on school property. 
    • Portable music devices and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher. 
    • Portable music devices and entertainment systems may not be used during the non-instructional times of the school day. 

1. Confiscation and return of electronic items 

School-based policies must describe the procedures for the confiscation, storage and return of electronic devices. In determining whether to confiscate an electronic device, schools should consider the nature of the violation. Where appropriate, measures should be instituted in a progressive fashion.  Such measures may include, but are not limited to: 

• • • Warnings.
    • Confiscation of item and return at end of school day
    • confiscation of item and return following parent conference 
    • Confiscation of item and return following student entering into behavioral contract
    • Revocation of privilege to bring item to school.

1. Discipline 

School-based policies must state that students who use cell phones, computing devices, and/or portable music and entertainment system in violation of any provision of the DOE’s Discipline Code, the school’s policy, Chancellor Regulation A-413, and/or the DOE’s Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy (“ISUSP”) will be subject to discipline in accordance with the guidance interventions and disciplinary responses set forth in the Discipline Code.