IS 125Q Cell Phone Policy 2025-2026

IS 125Q Cell Phone Policy 2025-2026

August 2025

 

To our IS 125Q Families:

 

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. 

 

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 8:00AM and ends at 2:20PM  Students will be able to use school/NYCPS-issued devices during the school day. This policy also extends to IS 125Q early morning programs beginning at 7:15AM and IS 125Q after-school programs ending at 3:10PM.

 

  1. COLLECTION/STORAGE 
  • Upon arrival, students must power off their devices.

 

  • The school provides students with locked pouches (Yondr)
    • Students will place their devices in their Yondr pouch and secure it in front of school staff.
    • Students will store their locked pouches on their person for the day.
  • At the end of the school day, students will unlock their pouch at their designated Exit (Exits 1, 2, 3, or 11)
  • They will remove their device(s) and lock their pouches before leaving the school.
  • 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 a replacement fee of $10 for the first lost pouch and $20 for an additional lost pouch.
  • Students that do not have a pouch will use a temporary school supplied envelope that the student will write their name, homeroom, and date on the envelope. The envelope will be stored in a locked cabinet in the Main Office. All collected cell phones will be distributed after the PM homeroom in the auditorium at 2:20PM. Students collecting their cell phones will leave via Exit 11.

 

  1. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
  • In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, parents or guardians can call the Main Office at 718-937-0320 to reach their child or the Parent Coordinator, Janett Dominguez at 718-937-0320 ext 1151.
  • In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, students may access phones in the Main Office or their Dean or School Counselor’s office to reach their parents or guardians.
  • In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, the school will use GAMA to communicate information to parents or guardians.
  • Here is how parents/guardians can access the automated messaging system: 

1.Visit https://schoolsaccount.nyc. Use the dropdown box to choose your home language to be displayed on the screen. 2. Click “Create Account” 3. Enter your name, cell phone number, and email, then click the “Validate Email” button      4. Check your email for a message from NYCSA@schools.nyc.gov for the 6-digit code. 5. Enter the code into the “Email Verification Number” box. Then click “Submit”. 6. Create a password following the guidelines. 7. Select three security questions and provide answers. Be sure to write your Password and Answers to the Security Questions down and secure them in a familiar place. 8. If you do not have your child’s Student ID # (OSIS) and Account Creation Code, you may click “Continue Without Code”. Your Parent Coordinator will follow up with you to provide this information. 9. Enter each child’s Student ID # (OSIS). You can also find the number on any report card or by contacting your Parent Coordinator. 10. Enter your Account Creation Code provided by your Parent Coordinator (via email). Then click on “Create Account”. 11. Congratulations! You have successfully created your account!

 

  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 Assistant Principal Paola Almodovar if a student requires an exception for reasons such as: medical monitoring/treatments (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.
  • The principal/designee may authorize use for an educational purpose.  
  • Exceptions will be processed and approved within 72 hours from the initial parent/guardian request.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. OTHER: 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 Parent Coordinator Janett Dominguez at 718-937-0320 or email at jdominguez14@schools.nyc.gov