Use of Internet-Enabled Devices

     This policy has been established to ensure compliance with Section 2803 of the New York State Education Law and to promote a safe and distraction-free learning environment for all students during the school day.

     The District consulted with local stakeholders including employee organizations representing each bargaining unit, parents, and students to develop this policy to prohibit the use of Internet-enabled devices by students during the school day on school grounds. 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, as required by Education Law § 2803:

a) "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:

1. Non-Internet-enabled devices such as cellular phones or other communication devices
not capable of connecting to the Internet or enabling the user to access content on the
Internet; or
2. Internet-enabled devices supplied by the District, charter school, or Board of
Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) that are used for an educational purpose.

b) "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.

c) "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 generally prohibited from using 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:

a) If authorized by a teacher, principal, or the District for a specific educational purpose;
b) Where necessary for the management of a student's health care;
c) In the event of an emergency;
d) For translation services;
e) 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 well-being of a family member; or
f) Where required by law.

Students must be permitted to use an Internet-enabled device where the use is included in the
student's:

a) Individualized Education Program (IEP); or
b) 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. At the elementary schools, on-site storage areas will include mini lockers with locks. For students at the Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School, the designated on-site storage must occur in students’ lockers, for which all students who do not have locks will be provided with one. Students are required to secure their own locks to the extent they are storing Internet-enable devices during the school day. While these designated on-site storage areas are designed to provide adequate security to ensure the safekeeping of the student's devices, generally, the District is not be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices brought to school. The District will communicate the procedures 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 School 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:

a) 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.
b) Designated Contact Email: Schools may provide a designated email address for parents and
persons in parental relation to send messages. These emails may be monitored by school staff
who can then pass the messages on to the students.
c) Classroom Intercom System: In 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.
d) School Messaging Application: Schools may use a secure messaging application or platform
where parents or persons in parental relation can send messages to their student. The
messages can be monitored and delivered by school staff.
e) 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.
Parents and persons in parental relation will be notified in writing of the methods that are available
for contacting their student during 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 Internet-enabled devices
in violation of this policy. While suspending a student solely for accessing an Internet-enabled devices
in violation of this policy is not permitted by law, the District has determined for students who are not
compliant with this policy, the device will be held in the school office until the end of the school day.
The first time this happens, the student may retrieve the device, and the parent will be notified. For
subsequent instances, the parent must retrieve the device. Further instances will result in the device
being held in the school office daily for longer periods of time.

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.

Ref: Education Law Section 2803

Adoption Date: February 6, 2019
Revision Date: February 5, 2025, July 15, 2025