Dear Oneida Families,

We want to inform you of a new policy recently adopted by the Oneida City School District regarding the use of Internet-Enabled Devices by students during the school day.

Beginning with the 2025–26 school year, students will not be permitted to use Internet-Enabled Devices on school grounds during the instructional day, including during lunch, recess, study halls, and passing times. This includes smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and other devices capable of internet access.

Why This Change?
This policy supports our commitment to maintaining learning environments that encourage focus, connection, and academic success. Excessive use of devices has been shown to disrupt engagement and student learning.

What Is Still Allowed?
There are specific, limited exceptions, including:

• Authorized use for educational purposes during class

• Use required for medical needs or as outlined in an IEP/504 Plan

• Emergencies or translation needs

• Use by a student caregiver under special circumstances

• Non-internet-capable cell phones (basic phones)

Device Storage
Students will be required to store their personal Internet-Enabled Devices in lockers or cubbies during the school day.

Contacting Your Student
Families may reach students during the school day by calling the school's main office:

• Oneida High School: (315) 363-6901

• Otto Shortell Middle School: (315) 363-1050

• Durhamville Elementary: (315) 363-8065

• Seneca Street Elementary: (315) 363-3930

• Willard Prior Elementary: (315) 363-2190

Enforcement
Violations will be addressed in accordance with the Code of Conduct. However, suspension will not be used as the sole disciplinary action for violating this policy.

Transparency & Reporting
An annual report on the enforcement of this policy will be posted to the District website starting September 1, 2026.

We appreciate your support in helping us create a more focused and distraction-free environment for all students. If you would like to request a translation of the full policy, please contact your child’s school.

Below you will find the full policy. You may also follow this link to a PDF version of the policy.

Policy

Students

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STUDENT USE OF INTERNET ENABLED DEVICES

 

I. Statement of Policy

 

The Oneida City School District (the District) believes in the importance of having

spaces that encourage sustained attention and focus on learning and instruction. The use

and possession of Internet-Enabled Devices during the school day interferes with the

ability of students to learn and engage with their teachers, staff, and fellow students. The

District will not be liable for loss, theft, or damage to Internet-Enabled Devices.

 

II. Definitions

 

A. Internet-Enabled Device - 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.

 

B. School day - the entire instructional day, during all instructional and non-

instructional time, including but not limited to homeroom periods, lunch, recess,

study halls, and passing times.

 

C. School grounds - in or on or within any building, structure, athletic playing field,

playground, or land contained within the real property boundary line of a district

elementary, intermediate, junior high, vocational, or high school, a charter school,

or a board of cooperative educational services facility.

 

III. Prohibition of Internet-Enabled Devices in School

 

The use of Internet-Enabled Devices by students during the school day anywhere on

school grounds is prohibited.

 

IV. Exceptions

 

A. This Policy is not violated when students are authorized to use an Internet-

Enabled Device in the following situation(s):

 

1. The student has been authorized by a teacher, Building Principal, or the

District to use an Internet-Enabled Device for educational purposes during

instructional time;

 

2. Where the use is necessary to manage the student’s medical condition; POLICY

 

Policy

Students

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STUDENT USE OF INTERNET ENABLED DEVICES

 

3. In the event of an emergency;

 

4. Where the use of an Internet-Enabled Device is part of the student’s

Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan;

 

5. Where it is needed for translation purposes;

 

6. On a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school

psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor, for a student

caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and wellbeing of a

family member; or

 

7. Where otherwise required by law.

 

B. Students are authorized to have access to simple cellphones (i.e., phones without

internet capability or access). Internet-Enabled Devices that have been provided

to students for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of

instruction, are also authorized for students to access.

 

V. Consequences for Violations of this Policy

 

The consequences for violation(s) of this Policy will be consistent with the Code of

Conduct. However, the suspension of a student is not permitted if the sole grounds for the

suspension is that the student accessed an Internet-Enabled Device in violation of this

Policy.

 

VI. Contact During the School Day

 

Parents/Persons in parental relation may contact their student(s) during the school day in

the following manner:

 

A. Contact the Main Office for general matters (or for all matters) at:

 

1. Oneida High School: (315) 363-6901

2. Otto Shortell Middle School: (315) 363-1050

3. Durhamville Elementary School: (315) 363-8065

4. Seneca St. Elementary School: (315) 363-3930

5. Willard Prior Elementary School: (315) 363-2190

 

VII. Storing Students’ Internet-Enabled Devices

 

STUDENTS

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STUDENT USE OF INTERNET ENABLED DEVICES

 

The District shall require students to store their personal Internet-Enabled Devices in

their student lockers or cubbies during the school day.

 

VIII. Implementation

 

The Superintendent or their designee shall develop any Regulations or internal

procedures that may be necessary to implement this Policy.

 

IX. Required Notifications

A. A copy of this Policy shall be posted in a clearly visible and accessible location on

the District website.

 

B. The District shall provide a translation of this Policy upon request of a student or

parent/person in parental relation in accordance with the law.

 

C. Parents/Persons in Parental Relation will be notified in writing of the methods

they can use to contact their student(s) during the school day, as outlined in

Section VI of this Policy. This notification will occur at the beginning of each

school year and upon enrollment.

 

X. Annual Reporting

 

On September 1, 2026, and every September 1 thereafter, the District shall publish, on its

website, an annual report that details the enforcement of this Policy during the prior

school year. This report must include:

 

A. Non-identifiable demographic data of students who have faced disciplinary action

for non-compliance with this Policy.

 

B. An analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement.

 

C. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, such report

shall include a mitigation action plan.

 

Oneida City School District

Legal Ref: NYS Education Law §2803

Cross Ref: 1005, Code of Conduct; 5301, Purpose, Use, and Administration of District

Digital Information Systems

 

POLICY

STUDENTS

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STUDENT USE OF INTERNET ENABLED DEVICES