Policy 5695 Students & Personal Electronic Devices - Croton-Harmon Schools
Policy 5695 Students & Personal Electronic Devices
Policy 5695STUDENTS AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The Board of Education recognizes the importance of maintaining a focused, respectful, and academically oriented environment. The growing prevalence of personal internet-enabled devices, such as smartphones and smartwatches, has created new challenges in the educational environment, related to distraction, equity, safety, student engagement, and student mental health. In response, and in accordance with state law, the District prohibits the use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day, with exceptions as set forth in this policy.
By adopting this policy, the Board does not intend to discourage the thoughtful and meaningful use of technology in the classroom. To the contrary, the District strongly supports the integration of digital tools to enhance instruction, foster engagement, and prepare students for success in a digitally connected world. Educators in the District are empowered to incorporate technology into their instruction in ways that align with curricular goals and instructional best practices, and as part of their instruction to allow students to use internet enabled devices in the classroom.
In conformity with Education Law §2803, except as otherwise specified in this policy, the use of personal internet-enabled devices by students is strictly prohibited during the school day on school grounds.
The primary responsibility for compliance with this policy is by students. However, parents are also expected to understand and support this policy.
DefinitionsInternet Enabled Device: 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. Examples include (but are not limited to) laptop computers, tablets, e-readers, calculators, smart-watches, voice recorders, digital cameras and music listening devices. Excluded from the definition of Internet Enabled Device for the purpose of this policy are (i) 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 (ii) internet-enabled devices supplied by the District that are used for an educational purpose.
School Day: the entirety of every instructional day as required by subdivision seven of section 3604 of the Education Law, during all instructional time and non-instructional time from the time a student reports to a classroom until the end of the instructional day.
School Grounds: shall mean in or on, or within any building, structure, athletic field, playground, or land contained within the real property boundary line of any school in the District.
Parent: Parent, legal guardian, or person in parental relation to a student.
Prohibition on Use During the School Day on School Grounds As required by Education Law §2803, students are prohibited from using personal internet-enabled devices during the school day (including all classes, homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time between classes) on school grounds (any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the boundary of a school in the District) unless in accordance with an exception as set forth in this policy.
Device Storage Requirements
Students must store personal internet-enabled devices in designated places during the school day as follows:Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School (CET): In cubbies
Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School (PVC): In lockers
Croton-Harmon High School (CHHS): Classroom pouches or caddies
The Building Principal of PVC or CHHS may establish a school policy for an alternate method of storage of internet-enabled devices, applicable to some or all students, which may include District-issued individual locked pouches, classroom cubbies or caddies, or other technology or equipment.
Exceptions to Prohibition
Notwithstanding this prohibition, a student may utilize an internet-enabled device during the school day on school grounds if such device has been supplied to the student by the District for educational purposes. Additionally, students may utilize their own personal internet-enabled device if authorized by a teacher, extracurricular adviser, or Building Principal or is otherwise authorized by the District for a specific educational purpose, within a classroom setting or otherwise (for example, to engage in research related to an educational topic or to communicate with persons outside the district in relation to an academic topic, extra-curricular activity, or for preparation for post-secondary time or resource management). In such an event, the teacher, extracurricular adviser, or Building Principal will set forth the circumstances and expectations with respect to such students’ utilization of personal internet-enabled devices pursuant to this exception.
At CHHS, personal internet-enabled phones and watches must be stored in one of the designated places and not visible throughout the entirety of the school day (first bell of the school day to last bell of the school day), with the exception that they may be visible and used in the cafeteria only with approval of a member of the building staff for a purpose set forth in the previous paragraph. At CHHS, students may use their other personal internet-enabled devices (e.g., tablets, laptops) brought to school under the CHHS Bring Your Own Device (“BYOD”) policy for an educational purpose with permission from a CHHS staff member.
Use of internet-enabled devices must be permitted where utilization of such devices is included in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan, or where required by law. Additionally, the District permits the use of internet-enabled devices in the event of the following circumstances:
Where necessary to manage a student’s healthcare (e.g., with respect to diabetes, asthma, administration of medication, or other healthcare matters);
For translation services;
Usage in the event of an emergency;
By students who are routinely responsible for the care and welfare of a family member (on a case-by-case basis, upon review and approval by the Building Principal in consultation with a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor; or
Where required by law.
Enforcement and Consequences
The Code of Conduct will apply to disciplinary infractions related to internet-enabled devices.
Communications Between Parent and Students During the School Day
During the school day, to minimize distractions, parents may contact their child by telephoning the main office of the school attended by their child. A student who expresses a need to contact their parent during the school day may request the opportunity to do so in the designated school offices of their school.
At the beginning of each school year, and upon enrollment of a student during the school year, the District will provide written notification to parents/persons in parental relation of these methods of contacting students during the school day.
Policy Review and Analysis
No later than September 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the Superintendent will publish a report on the District website detailing the enforcement of this policy over the past year, including non-identifiable demographic information of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance with this policy, and an analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a plan to mitigate such disparate enforcement.
Policy Dissemination and Communication
The District will post on its website a copy of this policy, in English and Spanish. Upon request, the District will provide a translation of this policy to a student or parent in another language.
Personal Electronic Devices and Testing
In order to ensure the integrity of testing, in accordance with state guidelines, students are not allowed to bring personal electronic devices, irrespective of whether they are internet-enabled devices, into classrooms or other exam locations during state testing. However, in the case of a local assessment, a teacher may give specific permission for a personal electronic device to be used during an assessment. In all cases, when assessments are conducted in conjunction with a testing authority, the protocols regarding electronic devices published by the testing authority will take precedence over this policy.
Test proctors, monitors and school officials will have the right to collect prohibited personal electronic devices prior to the start of the test and to hold them for the duration of the test taking time. Admission to the test will be prohibited to any student who has a prohibited personal electronic device in their possession and does not relinquish it.
Students with IEPs, 504 Plans, or documentation from a medical practitioner that specifically requires the use of an electronic device may do so as specified in their plan or documentation, and as governed by the testing regulations governing the test being taken.
Other Limitations With Respect to Personal Electronic Devices
Students and their families assume sole responsibility for their personal electronic device. The District is not responsible for the safety, security, loss, theft, damage, or misuse of any personal electronic device.
Ref: Education Law §2803
Distraction-Free Schools: Implementation Resources (https://www.ny.gov/programs/distraction-free-schools-implementation-resources, accessed July 2, 2025)
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
Cross-ref: 4321, Programs For Students With Disabilities Under the Federal IDEA and New York Education Law Article 89 (and subsections)
4326, Limited English Proficiency Instruction
4526, Computer Use in Instruction
4526.1, Internet Safety
5300, Code of Conduct
Adoption date: June 15, 2017
Revised: August 21, 2025
For translation services;
Usage in the event of an emergency;
By students who are routinely responsible for the care and welfare of a family member (on a case-by-case basis, upon review and approval by the Building Principal in consultation with a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor; or
Where required by law.
Enforcement and Consequences
The Code of Conduct will apply to disciplinary infractions related to internet-enabled devices.
Communications Between Parent and Students During the School Day
During the school day, to minimize distractions, parents may contact their child by telephoning the main office of the school attended by their child. A student who expresses a need to contact their parent during the school day may request the opportunity to do so in the designated school offices of their school.
At the beginning of each school year, and upon enrollment of a student during the school year, the District will provide written notification to parents/persons in parental relation of these methods of contacting students during the school day.
Policy Review and Analysis
No later than September 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the Superintendent will publish a report on the District website detailing the enforcement of this policy over the past year, including non-identifiable demographic information of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance with this policy, and an analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a plan to mitigate such disparate enforcement.
Policy Dissemination and Communication
The District will post on its website a copy of this policy, in English and Spanish. Upon request, the District will provide a translation of this policy to a student or parent in another language.
Personal Electronic Devices and Testing
In order to ensure the integrity of testing, in accordance with state guidelines, students are not allowed to bring personal electronic devices, irrespective of whether they are internet-enabled devices, into classrooms or other exam locations during state testing. However, in the case of a local assessment, a teacher may give specific permission for a personal electronic device to be used during an assessment. In all cases, when assessments are conducted in conjunction with a testing authority, the protocols regarding electronic devices published by the testing authority will take precedence over this policy.
Test proctors, monitors and school officials will have the right to collect prohibited personal electronic devices prior to the start of the test and to hold them for the duration of the test taking time. Admission to the test will be prohibited to any student who has a prohibited personal electronic device in their possession and does not relinquish it.
Students with IEPs, 504 Plans, or documentation from a medical practitioner that specifically requires the use of an electronic device may do so as specified in their plan or documentation, and as governed by the testing regulations governing the test being taken.
Other Limitations With Respect to Personal Electronic Devices
Students and their families assume sole responsibility for their personal electronic device. The District is not responsible for the safety, security, loss, theft, damage, or misuse of any personal electronic device.
Ref: Education Law §2803
Distraction-Free Schools: Implementation Resources (https://www.ny.gov/programs/distraction-free-schools-implementation-resources, accessed July 2, 2025)
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
Cross-ref: 4321, Programs For Students With Disabilities Under the Federal IDEA and New York Education Law Article 89 (and subsections)
4326, Limited English Proficiency Instruction
4526, Computer Use in Instruction
4526.1, Internet Safety
5300, Code of Conduct
Adoption date: June 15, 2017
Revised: August 21, 2025
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