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Cell Phone Policy

UNHS Cell Phone Policy:

  • UNHS students are now allowed to bring cell phones to school. 
  • However, students may use phones only in the lobby and cafeteria before 8:15 A.M., in the cafeteria during lunch, and after dismissal at 2:40 P.M.
  • If a student is seen using a cell phone at any other time during the school day, the phone will be confiscated and a parent will have to come to the school to pick it up.
  • Cell phone use of any kind is not permitted in the classroom, unless the student has been given special permission by a teacher or administrator.
  •  It is important that students are not distracted by constant messages or phone calls so that they can focus completely on instruction. Therefore, please refrain from calling or texting your child while (s)he is in class.
  • If there is an emergency, please call the main office at (212) 962-4341 and your child will be given the message and call you if necessary. 
  • If you are concerned that your child’s phone can be stolen or that (s)he will be distracted by having it during the school day, please advise him/her to deposit the phone with the parent coordinator in the morning and pick it up after school.
  • In case of emergency, students are always allowed to use school phones in the main office.



Selections from Chancellor's Regulation A-413

 Students are permitted to bring the following electronic items to school: cell phones, laptops, tablets, iPads, and other similar computing devices (“computing devices”), and portable music and entertainment systems. 
 Each principal must establish a written school-based policy regarding the use of such electronic items that is consistent with the regulation, and must consult with the School Leadership Team. 
 School-based policies must set forth the circumstances under which cell phones, computing devices and portable music and entertainment systems may be used on school property and must set forth procedures for confiscation and return of such items. 
 For schools located on a campus, the Building Council must establish a policy for use of such items in shared spaces. 
 Cell phones, computing devices and portable music and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used during fire drills or other emergency preparedness exercises. 
 Cell phones and portable music and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used during the administration of any school quiz, test or examination. 
 Computing devices may not be turned on or used during the administration of any school quiz, test or examination, except as authorized by the school, or pursuant to an Individualized Education Plan or a Section 504 accommodation plan. 
 Cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems may not be used in locker rooms or bathrooms. 
 School-based policies must be adopted for the 2014-2015 school year by March 2, 2015, and annually thereafter by October 31st . 
 Until a school-based policy is adopted for the 2014-2015 school year, schools must institute one of the following interim policies and must communicate them to students, parents and staff: 1. Students may bring cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems to school, but they may not be turned on or used at PUBLIC NOTICE January 8, 2015 school; or 2. Students may bring cell phones to school, but they will be collected by the school upon entry to the school building and stored in a designated location until the end of the school day. Students may bring computing devices and portable music and entertainment systems to school, but they may not be turned on or used at school. 
 Beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, schools must certify by October 31st in their Consolidated School and Youth Development Plans that they have adopted a policy regarding the use of cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems and that they have communicated the policy to students, parents, and staff. 
 Each school must provide annual written notification of this regulation and its school policy to students, parents and staff by October 31st. For the 2014-2015 school year only, such notification must be provided within 30 days of adoption of the school’s policy. 
 Each school must conduct an annual orientation for school staff and students on this regulation and the school’s policy by October 31st. For the 2014-2015 school year only, such orientation must take place within 30 days of the adoption of the school’s policy. 
 Each school must post a notice of its policy on the school’s website. 
 Students who use cell phones, computing devices or portable music and entertainment systems in violation of the DOE’s Discipline Code, the school’s policy, this regulation, and/or the DOE’s Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy will be subject to discipline in accordance with the guidance interventions and disciplinary responses set forth in the Discipline Code. 
 If a school confiscates a cell phone, computing device, or portable music or entertainment system for violation of the DOE’s Discipline Code, the school’s policy, this regulation, and/or the Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy, the principal/designee must contact the student’s parent. Confiscation and return of such items must be handled in accordance with the school’s policy. 
 The Chancellor may waive portions or all of the regulation if the Chancellor determines it to be in the best interests of the school system.