Canton Central School District

Canton Central School District Cellphone Policy 

Policy 7316–Use of Internet Enabled Devices During The School Day

Applicable Code of Conduct Language Explaining Policy Implementation 

VI. STUDENT USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Based on New York's Education Law §2803, students are not allowed the use of “internet-enabled devices” on school grounds during the school day. (This includes all classes, homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls and passing time.) Internet-enabled devices are defined as: “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,” but do not include any such device supplied by the district for educational purposes.  

Students will only be allowed the use of “internet-enabled devices” on school property before or after school.  Students are encouraged to not bring their cell phones or other internet-enabled devices to school; however, these devices may be stored in lockers during the school day.  (Devices stored in lockers need to be placed on silent and only checked after the last bell of the school day.) Students who attend SLL-BOCES programs are not allowed to bring their “internet-enabled devices” to the BOCES site.  

The Faculty & Staff should model acceptable use of electronic devices during the school day while in the presence of students to reinforce adherence to this section of the Code of Conduct.

Exceptions for Specific Purposes:

Use of internet-enabled devices must be permitted where included in a student’s Individualized Education Program, Section 504, or where required by law.  Additionally, the district permits the use of internet-enabled devices in the event of an emergency, and under the following circumstances:

• Where necessary to manage a student’s healthcare (e.g., diabetes, asthma, medication, etc.).
• For translation services; and/or
• For students who are routinely responsible for the care and wellbeing of a family member (on case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor).

Parents may request an exception for their children to use internet-enabled devices during the school day as listed in the exceptions above.  Requests must be made to the Building Principal, and for healthcare exceptions, must include documentation from an appropriate healthcare professional.

Students may also be permitted to use their internet-enabled devices during the school day on school grounds for specific educational purposes; if with administrative approval, the teacher has authorized the use of specific devices for a particular activity, after which the device must be stored in the student’s locker. 

Communicating with Parents/Persons in Parental Relation:

During the school day, to minimize distractions, parents/persons in parental relation, may contact their children via the following methods:

• Calling or emailing the School Office of the building their child attends (Banford Elementary, Middle School, or High School) with important messages

Students may contact their parents via the following methods:

• With Teacher or Building principal permission, request the use of a district phone in a School Office (Banford Elementary, Middle School, or High School)