Electronics Policy

SCHOOL-BASED POLICY OF BRONX EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY (09X324) FOR USE OF CELL PHONES, COMPUTING DEVICES, AND PORTABLE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY REVISED AS OF OCTOBER 2021

The following policy covers electronic items brought to school, which include, but are not limited to:

1) Cell Phones

2) Tablets, iPads, non-GPS smart watches and other similar computing devices (“computing devices”)

3) Portable music, media and entertainment systems

4) Headphones, speakers, and wireless listening devices

All students must have an ID to reclaim their confiscated devices. The cost of a replacement ID is $2.00.

Use of YONDR Pouches

During the school day

At no point are students allowed to have their cell phones and/or any electronic devices outside of a closed YONDR pouch during the instructional school day.
At entry, students will power off and place all personal electronic devices listed above in their assigned YONDR pouch. Students will be solely responsible for the care and all contents placed in their YONDR pouches all all times. At no point should a student have an unlocked YONDR pouch without the permission of a staff member.
School staff will collect electronic devices that cannot be accommodated in a YONDR pouch and stored in a designated location until the end of the school day.
Bronx Early College Academy is not responsible for any loss, damage, and/or stolen items associated with the collection of personal electronics in accordance with this policy.
No audio accessories should be visible at any point during the school day, during trips, and/or during after school activities.

During school trips and after school activities

Students’ personal electronics devices will be locked during school trips and/or after school activities unless otherwise noted on the permission slip.
Students will unlock pouches at dismissal from an school trip or after school activity by a staff member.

For Middle School Students (Grades 6-8)

Collection of above mentioned items will occur during entry by designated staff. Each student will have an individually labeled YONDR pouch to place their items. Pouches will be unlocked at the end of the student’s day, unless enrolled in an afterschool program. Late students must report to the main office to lock their electronic devices in their YONDR pouch before going to class. For more detailed procedures see procedures section.

For High School Students (Grades 9-12)

Collection of above mentioned items will occur at morning entry as students enter the building by designated staff. Each student will have an individually labeled YONDR pouch to place items. Pouches will be unlocked at the end of the student’s day, unless enrolled in an afterschool program. Late students must report to the main office and lock their electronic devices in their YONDR pouch before going to class. For more detailed procedures see procedures section.

High School Implementation Procedures

Beginning of Day:

- Students enter through Exit E (Grant Ave. Entrance), school personnel will supervise students locking their electronic devices in their individual YONDR pouches. School personnel will be at Exit G from 07:50 AM until 08:05 AM. After which students will enter the school building through the Entrance A. School personnel will be stationed at Entrance A to supervise the students locking their electronic devices in their individual YONDR pouches. School personnel will be at Entrance A from 08:05 AM onwards to lock student devices. If a staff member is not present, it is the student’s responsibility upon arriving at school to go to the BECA’s main office to lock their electronic devices in their individual YONDR pouches.

End of Day:

Students leave through Stairwells E. School personnel will be stationed with unlocking devices at the exit. Students will unlock their pouches and take their electronic devices out upon exiting the building.
Students Staying Late: Students in after-school clubs or sports may not have their electronic devices out of their pouch during this time. An unlocking device will be located in the main office from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM each day.

Students Leaving Early: Students leaving early will be able to unlock their pouches within the main office.

Middle School Implementation Procedures

Beginning of Day:

Students enter through Entrance F (Courtyard Entrance) from 07:50 AM to 08:20 AM and line up by grade. Designated staff will unlock their pouch and students walk up to their classroom. At 8:15, school personnel will be stationed at the top of exit A to supervise the students locking their electronic devices in their individual YONDR pouches. School personnel will be at Entrance A from 08:15 AM until 08:45 AM. School personnel will be at Entrance A from 08:05 AM onwards to lock student devices. If a staff member is not present, it is the student’s responsibility upon arriving at school to go to the BECA’s main office to lock their electronic devices in their individual YONDR pouches.

End of Day:

Students leave through Stairwells E. School personnel will be stationed outside the exit with an unlocking device. Students will unlock their YONDR pouches and should seal them for next day’s use.
Students Staying Late: Students in after-school clubs or sports may not have their electronic devices out of their pouch during this time. An unlocking device will be located in the main office from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM each day.

Students Leaving Early: Students leaving early will be able to unlock their pouches within the main office.

Consequences of leaving YONDR pouch at home

First offense: Students will be issued a loan pouch for the school day by presenting a student ID and signing out the loan pouch. It is a student’s responsibility to return the loan pouch by the following school day and present their assigned pouch.
Second offense: Students turn in electronic devices to school personnel upon entering the building. Phone will be stored in a padded envelope within the designated area. Students will receive their phone at the end of the school day. This persists until the pouch is returned. Parents will be contacted.
If the pouch is not returned after 5 days: Confiscation of the cell phone. Phone will be returned either Friday of the same week or Monday the following week if confiscated on a Friday. A Parent or any adult listed on a student’s Blue Card may pick-up a phone on Wednesday between the hours of 3:00-4:00 pm. Following a verbal warning, a student must enter into a behavioral contract before any device is returned. Parent contact will be made via phone or Kinvolved message. Copy of the signed contract will be shared with the parent.

Damage to YONDR pouches

Confiscation of the cell phone: Only a parent can pick-up confiscated electronic items and participate in an intervention conference with the student, Dean of School Culture, or staff designee. Students may also be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Chancellor Regulations, DOE’s Discipline Code, and/or school’s ladder of referral.

All replacement pouches will cost $10.00 regardless of the reason for purchasing.

Consequences if any electronic devices are found outside of a YONDR pouch in the school building

1st offense:
- Confiscation of the electronic device. Phone will be returned either Friday of the same week or Monday the following week if confiscated on a Friday. A Parent or any adult listed on a student’s Blue Card may pick-up a phone on Wednesday between the hours of 3:00-4:00 pm. Following a verbal warning, a student must enter into a behavioral contract before any device is returned. Parent contact will be made via phone or Kinvolved message. Copy of the signed contract will be shared with the parent.
2nd offense:
- Confiscation of the electronic device. Only a parent or any adult listed on a student’s Blue Card for the current academic year can pick-up confiscated electronic items. A record will be entered on Kinvolved.
3rd offense:
- Confiscation of the electronic device. Only a parent can pick-up confiscated electronic items and participate in an intervention conference with the student, Dean of School Culture, or staff designee. Students may also be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Chancellor Regulations, DOE’s Discipline Code, and/or school’s ladder of referral.
4th offense:
- Confiscation of the electronic device. Only a parent can pick-up confiscated electronic items. Students will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Chancellor Regulations, DOE’s Discipline Code, and/or school’s ladder of referral. Possible revocation of privilege bringing such items onto the Campus.

Confiscation and return of electronic items – PLEASE NOTE: Confiscated items will ONLY be available for pick-up on every Wednesday between the hours of 3:00-4:00 pm at the Office of the Dean of School Culture.