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IS2 Bell to Bell Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy

                   

   

               

I.S. 2 Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy - School Year 2025-2026

       Dear Egbert Families,

As part of a statewide mandate to support safe, focused, and healthy learning environments, our school will implement a bell-to-bell cell phone and personal electronic device policy beginning September 2025. This policy is in alignment with New York Education Law Section 2803 and Chancellor’s Regulation A-413 .For more information on this policy, visit the NYCDOE Family-Facing Page.

 

Legal Background

New York Education Law Section 2803, enacted in May 2025, requires all public schools to prohibit the use of personal internet-enabled devices (such as smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets) by students during the school day, with exceptions only for educational use, medical needs, emergencies, or legal requirements.Chancellor’s Regulation A-413, revised in June 2025, mandates secure storage of student devices, clear communication procedures for families, and written policies shared with all stakeholders.

Effective the first day of school:

  • School hours: 
    • Start Time: 7:30 a.m. - End Time: 1:50 p.m. 
  • All students must turn in their personal electronic devices during Period 1 by placing them in a box that locks.
  • Locked boxes with devices will be collected from the classrooms and secured in a designated location. 
  • Devices will be returned at the end of period 8. 
    • Students are not allowed to engage with their device until they have exited the school building. 
  • Students arriving late will turn in their devices upon arrival and retrieve them after school from a designated location. 
  • Please notify our Parent Coordinator, Ms. Seery, if you are picking up your child early - so we can have their device ready. 
  • This policy applies throughout the entire school day, including lunch and hallway transitions. 
  • School-issued devices, approved to be used for instruction, are not affected. 

Emergency Communication

In the event of a school emergency (such as an evacuation, lockdown, or shelter-in-place), we will promptly notify all parents and guardians via email with updates and instructions. Please ensure your contact information is up to date in Jupiter and Operoo

Progressive Discipline Policy

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. A parent or guardian will have to pick up the device from an Administrator. 

  • Initial Infraction: In-person meeting with the parent or guardian. 
  • Second Infraction: After-school reflection session focused on digital habits and self-regulation.
  • Third Infraction: Temporary classroom removal with academic support. 
  • Repeated Infractions: Suspension, in accordance with DOE guidelines.

If you need to contact your child during the school day:

Parent Engagement & Support

We believe that family involvement is key to the success of this policy. Our Parent Coordinator will host Parent Support Groups throughout the year, centered around the policy and research from Jonathan Haidt's book, 'The Anxious Generation' (we have purchased additional books and can also be found on Sora for free). These sessions will explore the impact of digital devices on adolescent mental health and offer strategies for building healthier digital habits at home

Suggestions for Families:

To help your child prepare for being without their devices at school, we recommend the following:

  • Set Device-Free Times: Establish specific times each day when devices are put away for family interactions or homework.
  • Engage in Activities: Encourage participation in non-screen activities such as reading, puzzles, or outdoor play.
  • Practice Mindfulness: Introduce mindfulness exercises or discussions about feelings related to device use to help build resilience.

Other: 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.

We appreciate your partnership in creating a focused, respectful, and emotionally healthy school environment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

In unity,

Mrs. Jill Passantino
Principal, 31R002