PERSONAL INTERNET ENABLED DEVICE POLICY (04M435)
At Manhattan Center we educate and inspire the leaders and problem solvers of tomorrow. One of the durable skills we must teach, and model is the power of self-regulation, especially with Personal Internet Enabled Devices, including but not limited to your cellular devices. As high school students headed to top colleges and universities across America, we aim to foster and develop student integrity, responsibility, and independence which are essential to your growth. We are committed to creating an environment that supports your development into responsible, self-regulating individuals. This policy is designed to meet the New York State Education Law and Chancellor's Regulation A-413.
These regulations require that all students to use a provided Faraday pouch, which blocks signals and prevents access to personal electronic devices, including phones, earbuds, and any other internet-enabled devices, during school hours (8:30 to 2:50), including lunch. Pouch Use: Students are required to place their personal devices, including earbuds, into the Faraday pouch at the start of the school day and keep it there during all instructional and noninstructional times. They must show their pouch on entry as they tap into the school. If a student loses or cannot find their pouch, their phone will be placed in a locker for the day and that will be unlocked at 3:15 p.m. by an assistant principal. Out-of-Pouch Policy: If a student is seen with their device out of the pouch during school hours, they will be referred to an assistant principal, dean, or other support staff. The device will be confiscated and stored in a locking pouch that must be unlocked only at the end of the school day by a support staff member located in the main office from 3:15-4:00 p.m. Students with medical accommodations will have a specific location in the building to access their device with adult supervision.
Repeated Violations: Students who continue (more than 3 times in a week) to violate this policy will have their devices stored in a basement locker, which they can access only after 3:15 p.m. each day. This will last for a period of 10 school days and absences from school will not count towards those 10 school days. The locker is under camera surveillance and can only be unlocked by an assistant principal or principal, students will not have access to their device from 8:30 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. Behavior and Compliance: Any staff or student who refuses to abide by this policy and New York State Education Law and Chancellor's Regulation A-413 will be considered in violation of the discipline code, and appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken