Internet-Enabled Device Policy

The Charter School for Applied Technologies (CSAT) consulted with local stakeholders to develop this policy to prohibit the use of Internet-enabled devices by students during the school day on school grounds. This policy aims to ensure that students remain focused on their academic responsibilities throughout the school day, which includes all instructional and non-instructional periods such as homeroom, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time.

For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply: 
a) "Internet-enabled devices" means and includes any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or other device capable of connecting to the Internet and enabling the user to access content on the Internet, including social media applications; 

"Internet-enabled devices" does not include:
 
1. Non-Internet-enabled devices such as cellular phones or other communication devices not capable of connecting to the Internet or enabling the user to access content on the Internet; or
2. Internet-enabled devices supplied by CSAT that are used for an educational purpose.
b) "School day" means the entirety of every instructional day as required by subdivision 7 of the Education Law Section 3604 during all instructional time and non-instructional time, including but not limited to homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time.
c) "School grounds" means in or on or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the real property boundary line of a district elementary, intermediate, junior high, vocational, or high school, a charter school, or a BOCES facility.

Students are generally prohibited from using Internet-enabled devices during the school day anywhere on school grounds. 

However, students may be authorized to use an Internet-enabled device during the school day on school grounds: 
a) If authorized by a principal for a specific educational purpose;
b) Where necessary for the management of a student's health care and documented by a healthcare provider’s note;  
c) On a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member; or 
Students must be permitted to use an Internet-enabled device where the use is included in the student's:
a) Individualized Education Program (IEP); or
b) Section 504 Plan. 

Students must store their Internet-enabled devices in designated on-site storage areas during the school day. In grades Kindergarten through 8^th grade on-site storage areas are designated as student lockers or cubbies. Students in grades Kindergarten through 8^th grade may not keep their devices on their person during the school day. Students in grades 9-12 will be provided secure locking pouches to store their devices in. These pouches will be kept on the student’s person or in their locker. Pouches will be unlocked when students dismiss for the day. CSAT will communicate the procedures for storing and retrieving devices in student handbooks and in the Student Code of Conduct, ensuring that students understand their responsibilities in using the on-site storage facilities provided.

To accommodate necessary communication, parents or persons in parental relation may use the following methods to contact their student during school hours while adhering to this policy:
a) School Office Phone: Parents or persons in parental relation may call the school's main office, and the office staff can relay messages to the student or call the student to the office to speak with their parent or person in parental relation.
b) Designated Contact Email: Schools may provide a designated email address for parents and persons in parental relation to send messages. These emails may be monitored by school staff who can then pass the messages on to the students.
c) Classroom Intercom System: In case of an emergency, the school's main office can use the classroom intercom system to notify students directly or ask them to come to the office.
d) School Messaging Application: Schools may use a secure messaging application or platform where parents or persons in parental relation can send messages to their student. The messages can be monitored and delivered by school staff.
e) Written Notes: Parents or persons in parental relation can drop off written notes at the school's main office, which can then be delivered to the student by school staff.
Parents and persons in parental relation will be notified in writing of the methods that are available for contacting their student during school hours upon enrollment and at the beginning of each school year. 

CSAT is prohibited from suspending a student solely for accessing internet-enabled devices in violation of this policy. However, a student that refuses to comply with the on-site storage policy may face disciplinary consequences for repeated non-compliance. Additionally, a student who repeatedly violates this policy may face disciplinary consequences for insubordination.

CSAT will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website. Translations of the policy into the 14 most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient individuals in the state will be provided upon request by a student or other persons in parental relation to a student. 

1. Arabic
2. Bengali
3. Burmese
4. French
5. Haitian/Creole
6. Italian 
7. Korean
8. Polish 
9. Russian 
10. Urdu
11. Yiddish U.S.
12. Simplified Chinese
13. Swahili 
14. Traditional Chinese

Beginning September 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, will publish an annual report on its website detailing enforcement of this policy within the school in the prior school year. This report will include non-identifiable demographic data of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance and analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a mitigation action plan.