School Policies & Procedures

P.S. 84, Q. POLICY FOR USE OF CELL PHONES, COMPUTING DEVICES, AND PORTABLE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

School Year 2023-2024 ( Updates coming soon...)

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

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

During the school day and during after-school, weekend school sponsored programs or activities:

• Cell phones may not be turned on or used during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher.

C. Confiscation and return of electronic items

Students who are found to have violated this policy may have their cell phone, computing device, or portable music and entertainment system confiscated. Confiscated items will be stored in a secure location at the school. The item will be returned following a parent conference. Students who violate this policy are subject to progressive disciplinary action governed under Chancellor’s regulations. Students may also be required to enter into a behavioral contract. Disciplinary consequences may 1 include revocation of privilege to bring item to school.

In determining whether to confiscate an electronic device, our school personnel will consider the nature of the violation. Where appropriate, measures will be instituted in a progressive fashion.

Such measures may include, but are not limited to:

• warnings
• confiscation of item and return at end of school day
• confiscation of item and return following parent conference
• confiscation of item and return following student entering into behavioral contract
• revocation of privilege to bring item to school.

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 A- 413, 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 Discipline Code.