***SCHOOL CELL PHONE & ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY***
Dear Parents, Students, and Lincoln Community:
To create an environment conducive to learning by minimizing distractions caused by cell phones and other personal internet-enabled electronic devices, ensure the safety and focus of all students during the school day, and follow Education Law §2803, effective August 1, 2025, all New York State schools are required to adopt a policy that prohibits the use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day on school grounds. An "internet-enabled electronic device" is defined as an electronic device capable of connecting to the internet and enabling the user to access content on the internet. Examples of such devices include cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, tablets, iPads, and portable music and entertainment systems.
POLICY STATEMENT:
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. The school day starts at 7:48 AM and ends at 3:28 PM. Students will be able to use school/NYCPS-issued devices during the school day.
1. COLLECTION/STORAGE:
§ Upon arrival, students must power off their devices.
§ The school provides students with pouches
○ Students will place their devices in a pouch and secure it with the Velcro closure in front of school staff.
○ Students will store their secured pouches on their person for their entire school day.
○ At the end of the school day, upon leaving the building, students may open their pouch.
○ In the event that a storage pouch is lost or damaged, students must report this fact at the morning entrance. A nominal fee of $10 will be charged for a replacement.
2. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS:
§ In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, parents or guardians can call Parent Coordinator Ms. Sherrie Williams at 718-333-7465 to reach their child.
§ In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, students may access phones in the Dean’s office, room 101, to reach their parents or guardians.
§ In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, the school will use GAMA to text, email, and/or phone blast (to the phone number/email on file) to communicate information to parents or guardians.
§ Please use the following link to set up an NYCSA account to access GAMA: ALHS NYCSA Creation Code Request
§ If you already have an account, you can update your contact information here: https://schoolsaccount.nyc/
3. 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 NYCPS-issued device for such purpose.
§ Parents/guardians must contact Ms. Caroline Cardillo, AP ISS, at 718-333-7553 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.
4. DISCIPLINE: § 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. 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.
5. IF 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 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 Mr. Shawn O’Connor, AP of Safety and Security at 718-333-7452.
