In summary, our policy includes the following policies and procedures:

• Any non-DOE mobile-data or internet-enabled devices will be prohibited from use on school grounds during the school hours. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Cell phones, tablets, smart watches, laptops, portable music/gaming devices, and/or video recording devices.
  • School Hours:
    • Regular school hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM-2:20 PM, including throughout dismissal until your child is picked up.
      ● Note: This also applies to any extracurricular programs to be opened throughout the school year, including, but not limited to, afterschool and Saturday programs.
  • Exceptions: DOE provided assistive technology, in accordance with a student’s Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 accommodation plan.
• If your child brings a device as described above to school, they will be required to turn in the device to the main office where the device will be stored in a secure pouch assigned specifically to that child. He or she will sign in the device and sign it out at the end of the school day. If this policy is abused, a staff member will be required to confiscate the device and submit it to the main office, after which a parent or guardian will be required to come and retrieve the device.
• In case of emergencies, you may contact your child by calling the main office at 718-495-7012.

Reach out to our parent coordinator, Ms. Genia, with any questions or concerns.

For more detailed information regarding this required policy, see the detailed information provided below:

The Brooklyn Gardens Elementary School (BGES)
CELL PHONE & INTERNET ENABLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY

Effective School Year 2025–2026
In compliance with Chancellor’s Regulation A-413

I. Purpose & Scope

● In alignment with Chancellor’s Regulation A-413, BGES aims to maintain a focused, safe learning environment by requiring that personal internet-enabled electronic devices – such as cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, and portable music/game devices – not be used during the entire school day, from arrival through dismissal, including recess, lunch, study hall, and non-instructional time on school grounds. Our school hours are 7:30 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. This policy will be posted on the school website, ( www.bges.education ) communicated through GAMA (robocall), and/or ClassDojo.

II. Definitions

● Internet-enabled electronic device: any personal electronic device capable of accessing the internet or streaming content (e.g. smartphones, smartwatches, tablets).

● Non-internet-enabled device: devices without internet access (e.g. basic flip-phone without data, MP3 player).

● School day: The full instructional day from 7:30 a.m. - 2:20 p.m., including lunch, recess, study halls, and non-instructional time.

● School grounds: Any indoor or outdoor area owned by the school, including classrooms, hallways, playground and fields.

III. General Rule

● Students may bring personal devices to school but must turn them off and store them securely for the entire school day at the main office. If your child is leaving early, they should stop by the main office to retrieve their cell phone from Ms. Vanessa or Ms. Genia.

● Students may not turn on or use any internet-enabled personal device on school property at any time during the school day.

● Non-internet devices may be used only if authorized by school leadership (e.g. instructional use or approved exceptions).

Please submit your request to I.A. Principal Fowler two (2) days in advance. Requests will be reviewed and responded to within 48 hours.

IV. Exceptions (Required by Regulation A-413)

● Use of personal internet-enabled devices is permitted only in the following circumstances:
1. School-authorized educational activity, directed by teacher or principal/designee.
2. Medical needs: Monitored health devices approved and documented by medical provider and reviewed by Office of School Health.
3. Student caregivers: On a case-by-case basis, approved by school psychologist, social worker or counselor.
4. Required by law (e.g. lawful court order).
5. IEP/504 plans: If device use is included in the student’s plan for educational or medical purposes and a DOE device is not yet provided.
Optional-school exceptions:
➢ For translation or interpretation services when no other means available
➢ In an individual, parent-notified emergency

Please submit your request to I.A. Principal Fowler two (2) days in advance. Requests will be reviewed and responded to within 48 hours.

V. Device Storage

● BGES will provide the student with a secured, cell phone pouch upon drop-off that will be stored in the main office by Ms. Vanessa or Ms. Genia. Cell phone pouches will have numbers on them and students will receive a pouch in the order in which they arrive. For example, if they are the 7 ^th student to drop off a device, they will receive pouch number 7 and sign their name next to the number.

● Devices must be stored, turned off and inaccessible during the school day.
● Access is allowed during school day only in authorized circumstances.

VI. Parent Contact & Emergencies

● BGES will provide at least one direct contact method (e.g. main office phone number) for parents to reach students in emergencies. Parents may call at 718-495-7012 and ask for Ms. Vanessa or Ms. Genia.

● Written notice of emergency contact procedures will be shared at student enrollment and posted on the school website, ( www.bges.education ) communicated through GAMA (robocall), and/or ClassDojo.

● If a parent notifies the principal/designee of an individual emergency, the student may access their device as appropriate. The student will report to the main office and use their device. Students will not be allowed to leave the main office with their device.

VII. Confiscation & Progressive Discipline

If policy is violated (e.g., turning on or using a device without authorization):

1. First offense: Device confiscated and returned to student at end of school day. Parent notified.

2. Second offense: Device confiscated, parent must pick up device from school after a conference or notification.

3. Third/subsequent offenses: Privilege to bring device revoked; additional interventions (behavior contracts, parent meetings, possible school consequences (per Discipline Code) applied.

VIII. Communication & Implementation

● At the start of each school year, or upon a student’s enrollment, the policy will be provided in written form to parents and students and reviewed with BGES staff.

● Any substantive changes made during the year will be communicated again to families, students, and staff.

● The policy will be posted prominently on the BGES website and shared via parent newsletters or orientation sessions and posted on the entrance bulletin board.

IX. Disclaimer of Liability

1. BGES is not responsible for loss, theft, damage, or maintenance of any personal electronic devices brought to school. Students bring devices at their own risk. 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. (https://comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/claims/e-filing/ )

X. Review & Certification

● BGES’s interim acting principal, Dr. Fowler, has consulted with the School Leadership Team in developing this school-based policy.

● The policy is in place by the first day of the 2025–2026 school year and will be submitted for annual certification in the school’s Consolidated School and Youth Development Plan by October 31 each year, per A-413 requirements.

XII. BGES Administration Contact

For questions or clarification of this policy, please contact the BGES I.A. Principal, Assistant Principal, Pupil Secretary or Parent Coordinator at 718-495-7012.

This policy ensures The Brooklyn Gardens Elementary School fully aligns with Chancellor’s Regulation A-413 and supports a learning environment free of distraction while accommodating legitimate, authorized uses when necessary.

Phone #: 718-495-7012   P.S. 557 (19K557)
Fax #: 718-495-7018   574 Dumont Avenue
Email: 19K557@schools.nyc.gov   Brooklyn, NY 11207