Internet Connected Devices

MS 131 School Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy

Purpose:

At MS 131, we have had a cell phone free school for nearly 4 years.  Now, the state has put in place a law mandating that all schools are free of “internet enabled personal devices” which include cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, tablets, iPads, and portable music and entertainment systems. This policy will be posted and remain our our school website and also backpacked home to start the year.

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 (except if they leave the building during out lunch). Students will be able to use school/NYCPS-issued devices during the school day.

  • How our system works – 
    • Students will place their devices in their personal YONDR pouches and secure it in front of school staff when they come in the main entrance..
    • Students will keep their pouches with them throughout the day.
  • At the end of the school day, students will unlock their pouch at the main entrance.
  • Students with approved early dismissal will be able to unlock their pouch in the main office.
  • In the event that a storage device, such as a pouch, is lost or damaged, the school will charge nominal replacement fee for a new pouch, or a student can elect to get a used pouch while supplies last.
  • If a student believes their pouch or device is lost or damaged during the school day, they should report the incident to the main office for immediate follow up.
  1. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
  • In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, parents or guardians can call the main office at 212-219-1204, and a school aide will help you get your child on the phone.
  • In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, the school will use the DOE messaging app (GAMA) to text and email parents, as well as reaching out by phone.  Families can set up a  NYCSA account to receive alerts from GAMA.
  • If a student needs to contact a family member during hte day due to an emergency, they may use the main office phone.
  1. 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 Bernadette Ho 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 one week by the Principal. 
  1. DISCIPLINE 
  • If a student hides their phone and is caught with it during the day, the staff person will ask for the phone.  If the student turns the phone over at this point, without argument, the phone will be locked in the main office until an adult comes to retrieve it.  If a child does not turn the phone over without argument, a disciplinary meeting will be held with their guardian to discuss this insubordination.  Repeated instances of insubordinations will lead to progressively stricter consequences.

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 Bernadette Ho..

MS 131 学校手机和电子设备政策

目的：

在 MS 131, 我们学校已经实行无手机制度近四年了. 现在, 州政府已颁布法律, 规定所有学校禁止使用 “可上网的个人设备”, 包括手机, 智能手机, 智能手表, 笔记本电脑, 平板电脑, iPad 以及便携式音乐和娱乐系统.

学生到校后直至放学期间不得使用或游览其个人可上网的电子设备. “上课日” 的定义是指从学生进入校舍到当天最后一节课结束的时间, 包括午餐时间 (午餐期间离开校舍的情况除外). 学生在上课期间可以使用学校/纽约市公立学校 ((NYCPS) 发放的设备.

  • 我们的系统方式如何运作 :
  • 学生将把他们的设备放在个人 YONDR 袋中, 并在进入正门时在学校工作人员面前将其妥善保管好.
  • 学生们将全天随身携带他们的袋子.
  • 放学时, 学生将在正门处解锁他们的袋子.
  • 获得提前放学批准的学生将能够在办公室内解锁他们的袋子.
  • 如果存储设备 (例如小袋) 丢失或损坏, 学校将收取 20 美元的更换费, 以更换新的储物袋; 学生也可以选择使用已用过的储物袋 (售完为止).
  1. 紧急通讯
  • 如果发生紧急或紧急情况, 父母或监护人可以拨打总办公室电话 212-219-1204, 学校助理会帮助您接听孩子电话.
  • 如果发生紧急或紧急情况, 学校将使用教育部 ((DOE) 短信系统服务向家长发送短信和电子邮件, 并通过电话联系.
  1. 例外情况 
  • 如果学生有个性化教育计划 (IEP) 或 504 计划, 其中包括使用互联网设备, 并且没有教育部 (DOE) 为此目的发放的设备, 则允许学生使用自己的设备.
  • 如果学生因以下原因需要例外, 家长/监护人必须联系 Bernadette Ho : 医疗原因 (例如监测血糖或其他类似情况), 学生是照顾者, 出于经批准的语言目的 (例如, 如果没有其他方式, 则需要翻译或口译服务), 或法律另有要求.
  • 校长将在一周内处理并批准例外情况.
  1. 纪律
  • 如果学生藏匿手机并在白天被发现, 工作人员会要求学生交出手机. 如果学生此时无异议地交出手机, 手机将被锁在主办公室, 直到成年人来取回. 如果孩子无理取闹地没有交出手机, 学校将与其监护人举行纪律会议, 讨论这一不服从行为. 屡次不服从将导致越来越严重的后果.

我们感谢您的合作, 帮助我们维持一个专注而高效的学习环境, 如果您对这些政策有任何疑问或需要进一步说明, 请随时联系 Bernadette Ho.