Jackie Robinson School PS 375
Delivering the Promise

Dear Parents / Guardians:
Students will not be permitted to use or access their personal internet-enabled electronic devices upon arrival at school until the end of the school day. The school day is defined as the period from the moment students enter the school building until the last class of the day ends, including during lunch. The school day starts at 8:20 AM and ends at 2:40 PM.  Students will be able to use school/NYCPS-issued devices during the school day.

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• Upon arrival, students must power off their devices.

• Students will place their devices in their individual pouch and secure it in front of school staff.

• Students will store their locked pouches in their backpacks for the day.

• At the end of the school day, students will unlock their pouch in the main lobby before dismissal.

• They will remove their device(s) and lock their pouches before leaving the school.

• Students with approved early dismissal will be able to unlock their pouch in the main office in the presence of the parent picking them up.

• In the event that a storage device, such as a pouch, is lost or damaged, the school will provide a new pouch at no charge.

 

Purpose: To create an environment conducive to learning by minimizing distractions caused by cell phones and other personal internet-enabled electronic devices, ensure the safety and focus of all students during the school day, and to follow Education Law §2803, effective August 1, 2025, all New York State schools are required to adopt a policy that prohibits the use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day on school grounds. An "internet-enabled electronic device" is defined as an electronic device capable of connecting to the internet and enabling the user to access content on the internet.  Examples of such devices include cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, tablets, iPads, and portable music and entertainment systems. 

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1. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

• In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, parents or guardians can call the main office and or the Parent Coordinator to reach their child.

• In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, students may access phones in the main office to reach their parents or guardians.

• In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, the school will use Class Dojo or DOE Messenger to communicate information to parents or guardians
   

    2. EXCEPTIONS

• Students are allowed to use their device if they have an individualized education program (IEP) or 504 Plan that includes use of an internet-enabled device and do not have a DOE-issued device for such purpose.

• Parents/guardians must contact AP Hebatalla Mostafa at 718-693-6655 if a student requires an exception for reasons such as: medical reasons (for example to monitor blood sugar or other similar circumstances), if student is a caregiver, for approved language purposes (such as translation or interpretation services if no other means are available), or where otherwise required by law. 

• Exceptions will be processed and approved within a timely manner.
   

    3. DISCIPLINE 

• Students who use electronic devices in violation of the NYCPS Discipline Code, the school's policy, Chancellor's Regulation A-413, and/or the NYCPS Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy ("IAUSP") will be subject to progressive discipline. This means that the disciplinary responses will escalate based on the nature and frequency of the violation.

   
  4. OTHER: If lost or stolen

• In the unlikely event that an electronic device is stolen or damaged at school, parents can submit a claim to the Comptroller’s Office. More information on submitting a claim is available on the Comptroller’s webpage.
   

Violation Procedures & Consequences
Violations of the policy will be addressed as follows:

• 1st Infraction: Device will be confiscated and returned only to a parent / guardian at the end of the day.

• 2nd Infraction: Devices will be confiscated for 2 school days and returned only to a patent / guardian at the end of the second day. 

• 3rd Infraction: Device will be confiscated and returned only to a parent / guardian in 15 days. 
   

Additional or repeated infractions may result in further disciplinary actions in alignment with the NYC DOE Discipline Code.
As provided in the State law, a student may not be suspended solely on the grounds that the student accessed a personal internet-enabled device in violation of school policy​.​ ​ Repeated incidents of insubordination (i.e. refusal to surrender or store device) may result in a suspension if approved by the Office of Safety and Youth Development.

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We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a focused and productive learning environment. If you have any questions or need further clarification regarding these policies, please do not hesitate to contact Hebatalla Mostafa / AP at 718-693-6655.