Cell Phone & Smartwatch Policy

While students in all grades are permitted to bring cell phones and smartwatches to school, it is a violation of New York State Law (and the NYCPS’s (NYC Public Schools) adherence to the law) for students to use cell phones or smartwatches during the school day while at school or at a school-sponsored activity.

According to State Law, cell phones and smartwatches (including Apple Watches, Gizmos, etc.) must be turned off, locked in a secure location for the entire school day (including Kids Club, courses, and field trips) and will be returned at the end of the day.

Our schoolwide locking mechanism is the Yondr Pouch system. This means that each student who brings any devices, such as cell phones and smartwatches (including Apple Watches, Gizmos, etc.), will receive a personal pouch to store their device. The student will lock the pouch with the device(s) inside and then place it in their backpack for the day. The pouch will remain inside the student’s backpack until they leave the school building. Before leaving school for the day, the teacher (or after-school instructor) will unlock the pouch for the student.

Families will need to complete an acknowledgment form, which you will receive at the beginning of the schoolyear, where you can indicate your need for a Yondr pouch.

P.S. 29 is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged cell phones, smart watches, or other electronic devices that are brought to school by students. 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.

Students who use cell phones or smartwatches are in violation of any provision of the DOE’s Discipline Code, the school’s policy, Chancellor’s Regulation A-413, and/or the DOE’s Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy. Students who violate this policy will be subject to discipline in accordance with the guidance interventions and disciplinary responses set forth in the Discipline Code.

In order to implement and reinforce this policy fairly and systematically, we will adhere to the following steps:

Teachers and staff members will remind students at the start of the first period of the day (i.e., 8:35 AM) that cell phones and smartwatches must be turned off, locked in a secure location for the entire school day (including Kids Club, courses, and field trips) and will be returned at the end of the day (i.e., 2:50 PM for a regular dismissal or as late as 6:00 PM for a late P.S. 29+ Course or Kids Club dismissal).
If the teacher or staff member sees a student cellphone or smartwatch out during the school day, the device will be be turned off, locked in a secure location for the entire school day (including Kids Club, courses, and field trips) and will be returned at the end of the day (i.e., 2:50 PM for a regular dismissal or as late as 6:00 PM for a late P.S. 29+ Course or Kids Club dismissal), and the parent will be notified.
If a student is in violation of the policy for a second time, then the teacher or a staff member will notify Administration who will contact the family and hold onto the device in a locked, secure location until a family member can pick it up after school.
The only exceptions might include those students who rely on a personal device as mandated by their 504 plan or I.E.P. In those rare circumstances, the family must request an exception by emailing Dawn Pender (dpender@schools.nyc.gov). Accommodations will be provided within two weeks of request.
In the event of an emergency, students will always have access to the school phones in the main office or principals’ offices throughout the school day.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TEXTS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. Their cell phones and smartwatches will not be accessible. Students will be able to access devices and see messages after

dismissal. If you need to send a last minute message to your child during the school day, you can call the main office at 718-330-9277.