Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy

KECSS functions in a 1:1 computer capacity, with each classroom being equipped with laptop carts available for student use during lessons. There are times when teachers may direct students to use technology to access lesson materials, and if any student uses their technology for inappropriate or personal purposes not directed by the teachers, they may face disciplinary action. Families may be held financially accountable for missing or damaged school technology. 

Under the updated Chancellor's Regulation A-413, which is in accordance with New York State law, students are not permitted to use personal internet-enabled electronic devices during the school day. This change supports the State's intent to create distraction-free schools and aims to ensure safe and focused learning environments across all NYCPS schools.

 

Definitions of Policy Terms:

Q: What is considered to be an “internet-enable device?”

The NYCDOE defines a personal internet-enabled device as the following:

 

A personal internet-enabled device is any electronic device not issued by a school or NYCPS program that can connect to the internet, allowing the user to access content online. Examples of these personal devices include:

 

• Communication Devices, such as cell phones, smartphones, and smartwatches.
• Computing Devices, such as laptops, tablets, and iPads.
• Portable music and entertainment systems, such as MP3 players and game consoles.

Please note that students are allowed to use electronic devices provided directly by the school and “non-internet enabled” devices, such as hearing aids, basic digital watches, handheld calculators, etc.

If you are not sure if a device is considered “internet-enabled”, please contact the school at (718) 333-7850 or email [email protected] before sending the device to school with your child.  

Q:  What is considered to be the “school day” and “school grounds”?

This policy applies from "bell to bell," which means students are not permitted to use their personal devices throughout the entire school day. The "school day" covers all instructional and non-instructional time, including homeroom periods, lunch, recess, and study hall sessions. Please refer to the appendix for our bell schedule.

Please note that high school students whose schedules end prior to or start later than the bell schedule above due to needing to attend college courses will have their internet-enabled devices collected and returned at the start and ending of their scheduled high school classes.

Students attending after school programs, such as NIA, tutoring, clubs, sports, etc. will be permitted to have their electronic devices with them, but must follow the guidelines for use outlined by their teachers or supervisor for the program.  Students will also be permitted to have their phones during college classes that are held both at KECSS and on the Kingsborough Community College campus.  

"School grounds" means in, on, or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the real property of a school.

Q:  Who is considered a parent under DOE Chancellor’s Regulations for matters regarding this policy?

According to Chancellor’s Regulation A-101: 

The term parent refers to the child’s parent or guardian or any person in a parental or custodial relationship to the child. This includes: birth or adoptive parent, stepparent, legally-appointed guardian, foster parent, and “person in parental relation” to a child attending school. “Person in parental relation” refers to a  person who has assumed the care of a child because the child’s parents or guardians are not available, whether due to, among other things, death, imprisonment, mental illness, living outside the state, or abandonment of the child. 

 

 Exceptions for Personal Internet-Enabled Electronic Devices

 Q: Are there any exceptions to the policy or circumstances under which a student will be permitted to use a personal internet-enabled device during the school day?

The NYCDOE defines the following exceptions:

• For educational purposes, as directed by teachers and authorized by school leadership.
• By students with medical conditions that require the use of electronic devices to monitor them, such as glucose monitors for diabetes. In this case, parents should inform the school and provide any necessary documentation to ensure proper authorization and usage, which may be subject to review by the Office of School Health.
• By student caregivers, on a case-by-case basis. A school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor will review and determine if exceptions may be granted for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and wellbeing of a family member.
• Where otherwise required by the law. This includes situations where federal, state, or local laws mandate the use of such devices for specific purposes.
• If required by an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan for medical purposes or (ii) educational purposes, but the school has not yet secured a DOE-issued device for such purpose.

If you believe your circumstances align with any of the exceptions listed above, please contact Ms. Gen in Room 129 or via the school’s number (718) 333-7850 or her DOE contact number (646) 864-8530 to submit the appropriate documentation, which will then be reviewed by the appropriate parties, which may include the school psychologist, IEP liaison, and KECSS administration. All approvals or denials will be communicated to families within two weeks following submission of approval request. 

Collection and Storage of Devices

Q: What will be the process of collecting and storing student devices?

KECSS will follow the procedures below:

• Collect all electronic devices from students as they scan into the building.  Students will be asked to place their devices in pre-labeled bags given to them by the school, which will be gathered according to your child’s last period class of the day. Please note that KECSS will not accept a device in a bag that was not provided and labeled by the school.
• Your child will not have access to their device throughout the day.  Their device will be stored away safely in locked cabinets and/or closets, and they will be able to retrieve them following the end of their last period class.
• If a child has a pre-approved early dismissal, they will report to Room 129, at which time Mr. Reyes, Ms. Williams, or other available office staff will retrieve the student’s device from its secured location to return to the child. 

Please note that KECSS may make adjustments to device collection and storage procedures throughout the year.  We will notify students and families of any changes to these policies throughout the year. 

Q: What happens if a device is lost, damaged, or stolen?

If a student reports an electronic device is stolen or damaged at school, KECSS will:

• Notify the family
• File an incident report (sometimes called an "OORS Report")
• Notify the New York City Police Department (NYPD) if theft or other criminal activity is suspected
• Investigate the allegations and take appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the NYCPS Discipline Code

Families may also file a claim with the New York City Comptroller's Office: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/claims/e-filing/

Communication Between Families and Students Throughout the School Day

Q: What if I need to contact my child throughout the school day?

In the event that there is an emergency, or you need to speak to your child directly, you can contact them in the following ways:

• Call the school directly at (718) 333-7850, and we will bring your child directly to the office to speak to you on the phone.
• Call our Parent Coordinator, Genevieve Mercaldo, at (646) 864-8530, who will get in contact with your child and have them speak to you from a school phone.  

 

If a child has an emergency, they may alert any staff member, who will direct them to do one of the following:

• Report to Room 129 to use the student-designated phone.
• Report to Room 108 to see Ms. Williams to call their guardian.
• Request access to their device under the authorized exceptions, such as medical emergencies or pre-communicated need for access from a parent.

 

The school will also use JupiterGrades, GAMA, and School Messenger to communicate with families in the event of an emergency.  

• To set up your JupiterGrades access, please contact [email protected] or your child’s advisor.
• To set up access to GAMA, you must set up your NYCSA account.  Directions and tutorials to set up this account may be found here:  https://www.schools.nyc.gov/setup-guide

These policies will be sent home via JupiterGrades and GAMA, and may be found on our school website at kecss.info.