bit.ly/SITHSPhonePolicy 

 

In alignment with Education Law §2803, Chancellor's Regulation A-413 and to support student well-being & academic focus, effective August 1, 2025, all NYS schools must prohibit the use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day.

This policy is grounded in growing scientific evidence, including findings from Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, which links the widespread use of smartphones and social media to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and distraction in adolescents. Haidt’s research highlights that excessive screen time, especially during school hours, disrupts focus, reduces face-to-face interaction, and impairs cognitive development.

To foster a healthier, more attentive learning environment, students will not be permitted to use or access personal internet-enabled devices upon entering the school building until the end of the instructional day, including breakfast, lunch and class passing time.

SITHS students may use personal tablets, laptops, or school-issued devices only during instructional periods—strictly for educational purposes and only with teacher direction.

The school day is defined from the moment students enter the building (via Cafeteria or Front Entrance) through 2:47 PM. Students whose school day ends at 2:02 PM may only access their devices in the cafeteria, which is the holding area for all students from 2:02 PM - 2:47 PM, prior to the start of extracurricular activities after school.

• Free Cell Phone Pouches will be distributed to all students in Homeroom (once available).
• Before arrival, students must power off and place their devices (Phone/Smartwatch) in their distributed pouch. Headphones must remain in backpack/schoolbag.
• Students will store their closed pouches in their backpack / school bag for the day.
• AFTER SCHOOL: At 2:47 PM, students can remove their device from their pouch once they exit and leave the school premises.
• EXTRACURRICULAR / PSAL / ON SITE AFTER SCHOOL: After 2:47 PM, if students are participating in extracurricular activities, they may take their devices out of the pouch for use.
• LOST / DAMAGED: If a Storage Pouch, is lost or damaged, the school will require a fee of $15.00 for a replacement, which can be purchased in the SO Store (C-51) and picked up in AP Office or Cafeteria.

• In case of emergency or urgent circumstances, parents or guardians can call the General Office at 718-667-3222 and select OPTION 5 to reach their child.
• In case of emergency or urgent circumstances, students may access phones from their pouch in our Parent Coordinator, Barbara Malenfant’s office (Room 1171) to reach their parents or guardians.
• In case of emergency or urgent circumstances, the school will use the Messaging App in GAMA or via Naviance to communicate information to parents or guardians.

• Students may be granted permission to use a personal internet-enabled device only if it is explicitly required as part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan and no DOE-issued device is available to meet that need. Formal documentation and approval with school-based special education staff is required.
• Requests for exceptions unrelated to an IEP or 504 Plan—such as for medically necessary purposes (e.g., blood sugar monitoring), approved language access needs (e.g., translation services when no alternative is available), or where otherwise required by law—must be submitted in writing to Assistant Principal Alexis Kirschbaum at [email protected]. All requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with DOE policy and applicable regulations." 
• Exceptions will be processed, reviewed and if approved, communicated with faculty & staff.

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 & Safety Policy will be subject to progressive discipline. This means that the disciplinary responses will escalate based on the nature and frequency of the violation. 

 

Administration may conduct random unannounced pouch checks during the day in classrooms.

 

• For each IN-CLASS Infraction, the TEACHER will:
  • • Contact the parent.
    • Submit a Dean’s Referral.
    • 3 point deduction on Habits of Success - Responsibility Grade for the active Marking Pd.
    • Incident reported to NHS Faculty Council as part of the NHS application evaluation process.

• For each OUT-OF-CLASS Infraction, the FACULTY / STAFF member will:
  • • Submit a Dean’s Referral (Please consult an AP if you need assistance.)
    • Parent will be contacted by SITHS staff.
    • Incident reported to NHS Faculty Council as part of the NHS application evaluation process.

 

Infraction Protocol Steps:

1st & 2nd INFRACTION:  In-Class or Out-Of-Class discipline action (See above)

 

3rd INFRACTION:  Student Conference with Deans + In-Class or Out-Of-Class discipline action

 

4th INFRACTION: Parent/Student Conference w/ Admin & Deans + In-Class/Out-Of-Class discipline action

• • • • A Parent Conference with the subject-area Assistant Principal will determine an appropriate disciplinary and/or restorative plan. Consequences may include:
        • • • Exclusion from club and/or athletic team activities until attendance improves.
            • Exclusion from senior activities (if applicable).
            • Completion of school community service.

• Parent & Student attend Pre-Suspension Conference with Admin & Deans + In or Out-Of-Class discipline action
• Request for suspension* due to continued insubordination (Requires Office of Safety and Youth Development approval)

*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.

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.