Student Use of Personal Technology

 

The District seeks to maintain a safe and secure environment for students and staff while ensuring that students remain focused on their academic responsibilities during the school day, which includes all instructional and non-instructional periods (lunch, recess, study halls, passing time). Advances in technology have made it possible to expand the learning environment beyond traditional classroom boundaries. Using district-provided electronic devices during instructional time can enable students to explore new concepts, personalize their learning experience and expand their global learning opportunities. The District has committed to providing instructional devices for each student on a 1:1 basis, so the need for use of personal technology during school hours is limited. This policy defines the use of personal technology for students and reinforces the standard that all use, regardless of its purpose, must follow the guidelines outlined in the Student Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), the District's Code of Conduct, and the Dignity for All Students Act. 

 

 

Students are generally prohibited from using internet-enabled personal technology devices during the school day anywhere on school grounds.

 

 

On a limited basis students may be authorized to use such devices during the school day on school grounds:

Students must be permitted to use an internet-enabled device when the use is documented on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.

 

Students are expected to act responsibly and thoughtfully when using technology resources. Students bear the burden of responsibility to inquire with school administrators and/or teachers when they are unsure of the permissibility of a particular use of technology prior to engaging in such use. 

 

 

Students must store their personal technology in designated on-site storage areas during the school day. On-site storage areas may include, but are not limited to,

Devices stored in lockers may not be accessed during the school day or without supervision.  The designated on-site storage areas must provide adequate security to ensure the safekeeping of the student’s devices. 

Student backpacks are not permissible for storage of personal technology devices since access would be continuous throughout the school day.

 

Building Principals will communicate the procedures for storing and retrieving personal devices, ensuring students understand their responsibilities in using the on-site storage facilities provided.

 

 

The District shall not be liable for the loss, damage, misuse, or theft of any personal technology brought to School. The District reserves the right to monitor, inspect, and/or confiscate personal technology when administration has reasonable suspicion to believe that a violation of school policy or criminal law has occurred.

 

The District expressly prohibits use of personal technology in locker rooms, restrooms, Health Offices and any other areas where a person would reasonably expect some degree of personal privacy in alignment with protection of Data Privacy and Security provision by Ed Law 2- d. 

 

 

All students are prohibited from bringing electronic devices into a classroom or other location where a New York State assessment is being administered. Test proctors, test monitors and school officials shall have the right to collect prohibited electronic devices prior to the start of the test and hold them while the test is being administered, including break periods. Admission to any assessment will be denied to any student who refuses to relinquish a prohibited device.

 

Students with disabilities may use certain devices if the device is specified in that student's IEP or 504 plan or a student has provided medical documentation prior to the assessment and obtained proper approval of use of the device during testing.

 

 

To accommodate necessary communication, parents or caregivers may use the following method to contact their student during school hours while adhering to this policy:

 

 

Students will not be permitted to use technology devices in school or at school functions until they have reviewed the AUP, the applicable sections of the Code of Conduct and associated technology guidelines, and signed the Student Use of Personal Technology Permission Form with their parents. The District reserves the right to restrict student use of District-owned technologies and personal technology on school property or at school-sponsored events, at the discretion of the administration.

 

Students must follow the guidelines for use set out in the District Code of Conduct and the Acceptable Use Policy at all times. Consequences for misuse will follow guidelines in the District's Code of Conduct. The District will develop regulations for the implementation of this policy that shall include, but are not limited to, instructional use, non-instructional use, liability, bullying and cyberbullying, and privacy issues. The District is prohibited from suspending a student solely for accessing personal technology or internet-enabled devices in violation of this policy.

 

 

The District will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website. Translations of this policy will be provided upon request.

 

 

Beginning September 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the District will publish an annual report on its website detailing enforcement of this policy within the District in the prior school year. This report will include non-identifiable demographic data of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance and analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a mitigation action plan.