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Student & Personal Electronic Devices

Policy 5695 (All policies can be reviewed here.)

STUDENTS AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

This policy aims to ensure that students remain focused on their academic responsibilities throughout the school day, which includes all instructional and non-instructional periods such as homeroom, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time.

For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:

  1. “Internet-enabled devices” means and includes 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; 
    “Internet-enabled devices” does not include:
    Internet-enabled devices supplied by the District, charter school, or Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) that are used for an educational purpose.
  2. “Other personal electronic devices” include devices which are not capable of connecting to the internet and access content on the internet, fitness trackers, wired and wireless headphones and earbuds, e-readers, calculators, voice recorders, cameras and music devices. 
    These devices can create significant distraction to the school environment, negatively impact student mental health, contribute to disciplinary infractions, and reduce student engagement.  Additionally, in an emergency, the use of personal electronic devices can distract students from following the directions of staff or emergency responders, contribute to the spread of misinformation, create congestion in the emergency response system, and interfere with the district’s emergency response protocols.    
    Generally, the district is not responsible for stolen, lost or damaged personal electronic devices brought to school.
  3. “School day” means the entirety of every instructional day as required by subdivision 7 of the Education Law Section 3604 during all instructional time and non-instructional time, including but not limited to homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time.
  4. “School grounds” means 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 BOCES facility.

Students are prohibited from using personal internet-enabled devices during the school day anywhere on school grounds.

 However, students may be authorized to use an internet-enabled device during the school day on school grounds:

  1. If authorized by a teacher, principal or the school district, charter school or BOCES for a specific educational purpose
  2. Where necessary for the management of a student’s healthcare
  3. In the event of an emergency
  4. For translation services
  5. On a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor, for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and wellbeing of a family member; or
  6. Where required by law

Administrators and staff also may restrict use of electronic devices during school events and activities held outside of the school day and/or off school grounds. 

Students must be permitted to use an internet-enabled device where required by law where the use is included in the student’s:

  1. Individualized Education Program (IEP); or
  2. Section 504 Plan

On-Site Storage of Internet-Enabled Devices Including Cell Phones

Students must store their internet-enabled devices in designated on-site storage areas during the school day.  On-site storage areas may include, but are not limited to, student lockers and/or designated student cubbies in classrooms or hallways.  The designated on-site storage areas must be easily accessible to students and provide adequate security to ensure the safekeeping of the student’s devices.  The District will communicate the procedure for storing and retrieving devices, ensuring that students understand their responsibilities in using the on-site storage facilities provided.

Methods for Parents to Contact Students During the Day

To accommodate necessary communication, parents or persons in parental relation may use the following methods to contact their student during school hours while adhering to this policy:

  • School Office Phone:  Parents or persons in parental relation may call the school’s main office, and the office staff can relay messages to the student or call the student to the office to speak with their parent or person in parental relation.
  • Written notes:  Parents or persons in parental relation can drop off written notes at the school’s main office, which can then be delivered to the student by school staff.
  • Classroom intercom system: in the case of an emergency, the school’s main office can use the classroom intercom system to notify students directly or ask them to come to the office.

Parents and persons in parental relation will be notified in writing of the methods that are available for contacting their student during the school hours upon enrollment and at the beginning of each school year.

Student Discipline for Accessing Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day

The District is prohibited from suspending a student solely for accessing the internet-related devices in violation of this policy.

Posting and Translation of Policy

The District will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website.  Translations of the policy into the 12 most common non-English languages spoken by limited English proficient individuals in the state will be provided upon request by a student or other persons in parental relation to a student.

Reporting and Mitigation Action Plan

Beginning September 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the District will publish an annual report on its website detailing enforcement of this policy within the District in the prior school year.  This report will include non-identifiable demographic data of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance and analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy.  If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a mitigation action plan.

Cross-ref:       
• 4526, Computer Use in Instruction
• 4526.1, Internet Safety
• 5300, Code of Conduct

Ref:  Education Law §2803
Price v. New York City Board of Education, 51 A.D.3d 277, lv. to appeal denied, 11 N.Y.3d 702 (2008) (District may ban possession of cell phones on school property)
NYSED, Prohibition of Cell Phones and Electronic Devices in New York State Assessments, www.nysed.gov/educator-integrity/prohibition-cell-phones-and-electronic-devices-new-york-state-assessments

Readings: June 19, 2025, July 1, 2025, July 18, 2025
Adoption date: July 18, 2025