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    IS 162 Cell Phone & Internet-Enabled Device Policy

    Updated: July 2025
     In accordance with New York State Education Law § 2803

     

    Quick Summary for Families
     • No personal device use during the school day or afterschool programs while on school property.
     • Phones are locked in Yondr pouches in the homeroom and stored in class. Late arrivals check phones into the Main Office.
     • Other internet-enabled devices (AirPods, watches, tablets, etc.) stay off and stored in lockers.
     • To reach your child during the day, call the Main Office. Students who need to call home may use a school phone in designated offices.
     • Progressive discipline is used for violations. Students cannot be suspended solely for accessing a personal device—but repeated insubordination may lead to suspension with administrative approval.

     

     

    I. Purpose

    IS 162 is committed to maintaining a focused, respectful learning environment free from unnecessary digital distractions. This policy establishes clear expectations for the possession, storage, and non-use of personal internet-enabled electronic devices while on school property, consistent with New York State Education Law § 2803 and NYC Department of Education guidance.

     

     

    II. Devices Covered

    This policy applies to all personal internet-enabled electronic devices, including but not limited to:

    • Cell phones / smartphones

    • Smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, etc.)

    • AirPods, earbuds, and wireless headphones capable of pairing or streaming

    • Tablets / e-readers (iPad, Kindle Fire, etc.)

    • Laptops / Chromebooks (when personally owned)

    • Portable gaming systems (Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, etc.)

    • Music players (iPod, MP3 players) when Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth enabled

     

    Note: School-issued instructional technology is governed by separate agreements and may be used only as directed by staff for instructional purposes.

     

     

    III. Core Rule

    Personal devices may not be used, powered on, or accessed during school hours or afterschool programs while on school property. This includes text, voice, camera, audio, gaming, streaming, and internet functions.

     

     

    IV. Daily Procedures: Phones in Yondr Pouches

    A. Morning Homeroom Procedure (All Students Present at Start of Day)

    1. Upon entering homeroom, students place their personal cell phone(s) into their assigned Yondr locking pouch.

    2. Students snap the pouch closed in view of the homeroom teacher.

    3. Locked pouches are placed in the designated classroom storage bin / rack for the duration of the instructional day.

    4. Pouches remain stored in homeroom, not carried from class to class.

    B. Late Arrivals (After Homeroom)

    1. Students report to the Main Office upon arrival.

    2. Staff issues a Yondr pouch and secures the phone.

    3. The locked pouch is stored in a secure Main Office location for the remainder of the day.

    4. At dismissal, the student reports to the Main Office to unlock and retrieve the device.

    C. Early Dismissals

    1. Student reports to the Main Office prior to leaving.

    2. Staff unlocks the Yondr pouch.

    3. Student may take the device upon leaving school property.

    D. Field Trips & Off-Site School Events

    • School staff will communicate a storage plan consistent with this policy.

    • Devices remain locked/inaccessible during trips unless a supervised instructional use is approved.

     

     

     

    V. Storage for Other Internet-Enabled Devices (Non-Phone Items)

    Because not all items fit in Yondr pouches, the following apply:
    A second Yondr pouch may be provided to the student if needed. 

    Device Type

    Storage Expectation

    Use Allowed?

    Smartwatches

    Must be powered off & stored in locker (or surrendered to homeroom storage if requested by staff).

    No.

    AirPods / Earbuds / Wireless Headphones

    Stored in locker or collected by homeroom per grade team decision.

    No.

    Tablets / Personal Laptops

    Stored in locker all day unless specifically authorized for instruction in writing by a teacher/administrator.

    No personal use.

    Portable Gaming / Music Devices

    Stored in locker.

    No.

     

     

    VI. Afterschool Programs & Extracurriculars

    • The non-use rule continues through all afterschool programs, clubs, and extended learning opportunities while students remain on school property.

    • Devices remain in their locked Yondr pouch (or stored in lockers) until the student fully exits the building/campus at final dismissal.

     

     

    VII. Communication Protocols

    A. How Parents / Guardians Can Reach Students During the Day

    Please call the Main Office. Staff will:

    1. Take a message and deliver it to the student, or

    2. Bring the student to the office to return your call on a school phone if the matter is urgent.

    B. How Students Can Reach Home During the Day

    Students who need to contact a parent/guardian may request supervised access to a phone in one of the following locations:

    • Main Office

    • Guidance Counselor’s Office

    • Dean’s Office

    • Assistant Principal’s Office

    Emergency? Notify the nearest adult immediately. Staff will facilitate contact.

     

     

    VIII. Accountability & Progressive Discipline

    Our goal is teaching responsible habits—not punishing students for possession of devices. Consequences escalate only when needed.

    Possible Interventions / Responses (progressive sequence, applied as appropriate):

    1. Verbal reminder / redirection.

    2. Teacher documentation & parent contact.

    3. Temporary confiscation; device held until end of day.

    4. Required parent pickup of device from school.

    5. Conference with student, family, and dean/administrator; behavior contract.

    6. Revocation of privilege to bring device to school.

    7. Additional disciplinary responses consistent with the NYC DOE Discipline Code.

    Important Legal Guidance (NYS Education Law § 2803)

    • A student may not be suspended solely because they accessed or used a personal internet-enabled device in violation of school policy.

    • Schools may apply progressive discipline to address improper access.

    • Repeated incidents of insubordination, including refusing to comply with storage/lock directives after interventions, may result in suspension if approved by school administration and consistent with DOE regulations.

     

     

    IX. Confiscation & Return Procedures

    • First offense (minor): Device secured; student retrieves at dismissal; parent notified.

    • Subsequent offenses: Parent/guardian must retrieve device in person.

    • Chronic violations may lead to loss of privilege to bring the device and/or additional disciplinary steps (see Section VIII).

    All confiscation incidents will be logged by staff.

     

     

    X. Student Responsibilities

    • Arrive prepared to pouch and store devices daily.

    • Keep devices powered off before entering school.

    • Do not attempt to tamper with, cut, or open a Yondr pouch.

    • Do not trade, hide, or access another student’s device.

    • Follow all staff directions regarding storage.