Rules & Policies

POLICY FOR THE 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.

A. The use of cell phones, computing devices and portable music and entertainment systems at school is subject to the restrictions below:

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; and
5. Cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems may not be used in locker rooms or bathrooms.

B.  Cell phones may be used as set forth below:

• Cell phones may not be turned on or used anywhere by students on school property (hallways, stairs, cafeteria, auditorium, offices, bathrooms, locker rooms, schoolyard).
• Cell phones may not be turned on or used in the classroom by students, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher. Teachers must write on the board the purpose for students to use the cell phone in the classroom.

C.  Computing devices may be used as set forth below (select applicable option(s) or select other options consistent with Regulation A-413).

• Computing devices may not be turned on or used anywhere by students on school property (hallways, stairs, cafeteria, auditorium, offices, bathrooms, locker rooms, schoolyard).
• Computing devices may not be turned on or used in the classroom by students, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher. Teachers must write on the board the purpose for students to use the computing device in the classroom.

D.  Portable music and entertainment systems may be used as set forth below:

• Portable music devices and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used anywhere by students on school property (hallways, stairs, cafeteria, auditorium, offices, bathrooms, locker rooms, schoolyard).
• Portable music devices and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used in the classroom by students, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher. Teachers must write on the board the purpose for students to use the music device in the classroom.

E.  Confiscation and return of electronic items.

If a student uses an electronic device in violation of school policy or in a manner that causes disruption to classroom instruction or school activities or programs, staff should direct the student to comply with school rules and put the device away. If the student refuses to comply with this directive, the staff member should follow established school protocols for requesting assistance, which includes calling an administrator, or a dean. The following are procedures for the confiscation, storage and return of electronic devices:

1. warning
2. confiscation of item and return at end of school day
3. confiscation of item and return following parent conference
4. confiscation of item and return following student entering into behavioral contract
5. revocation of privilege to bring item to school.
6. Confiscated items will be stored in the Dean’s Office.

F.  Discipline.

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 A413, 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 New York City Department of Education Discipline Code.

The Discipline Code provides that when “misbehavior involves communication, gestures or expressive behavior, the infraction applies to oral, written or electronic communications, including but not limited to texting, emailing and social networking.” Accordingly, students may not use electronic devices to engage in prohibited behaviors, which include but are not limited to:

• making sexually suggestive comments, innuendos, propositions or similar remarks, or engaging in nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature (Discipline Code Infractions A38/B34);
• engaging in harassing, intimidating and/or bullying behavior, including using electronic communication to engage in such behavior (cyber-bullying) (Discipline Code A36/B39);
• using slurs based upon actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, weight, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or disability (Discipline Code Infractions A23/B23); and
• posting, distributing, displaying or sharing literature or material containing a threat of violence, injury or harm, or depicting violent actions against or obscene, vulgar or lewd pictures of students or staff (Discipline Code Infractions A32/B35);
• taking unauthorized photos and audio/video recordings of others (Discipline Code Infractions A21/B19).

NEWCOMERS HIGH SCHOOL Policy for the Use of Cell Phones and Electronic Devices is issued on March 2, 2015. Students and Parents are required to sign a cell phone/electronics contract.