Electronic Equipment

A.       The computer labs of the Upper School are available to students for school work and research whenever a faculty member is present. Students are not permitted to check personal e-mail or develop personal websites via the school computers. If the lab room is unsupervised, one may ask if a teacher currently not teaching can supervise the room. If a room has been left unlocked inadvertently, this does not grant license to students to use the computers in the room. In addition, students are not permitted to log on to the teachers’ computers in the classroom. At no time may a student download a program from any source onto the drives of the school computers. Students violating these basic rules of computer use in the school, and any additional conditions or rules specified by teachers who instruct in the computer labs, will be prohibited from using the school computers and will suffer whatever classroom consequences result. Other consequences may be applied as well.

B.       Laptops are permitted in the Upper School insofar as they serve as a constructive classroom tool to help with note taking, and certainly for the occasional presentation. When a student misuses the technology for watching videos in class, for playing games, or for any other distraction as determined by the teacher, that student will be prohibited from using the computer in school. Depending on the nature of the distraction, the computer may be confiscated by the administration. The administration recommends that students and parents who seek a technological device that facilitates note taking consider purchasing a device with a keyboard and a screen for word-processing only. If the distractions become systemic, the administration may elect, even midyear, to prohibit computers from all Upper School classrooms during the school year.

C.       Cell phones have become part of our daily lives. As such, students are allowed to bring cell phones to school, but are to use them in a limited manner while in school. Cell phones or any other wireless communications are permitted during scheduled breaks only. These include and are exclusively limited to breakfast, the short morning recess, lunch, the break after mincha (but not before mincha), and after dismissal. Cell phones in view at all other times may be confiscated. Students whose phones are confiscated will need to speak with an administrator before receiving the phone in return. Students may not use cell-phones as clocks in class, as alarms (even for the purpose of taking medicine), or as keypads to take notes. We strongly recommend that students NOT use cell phones at all while in school. Parents are expected to reach students with urgent messages care of the school office.

D.       Continuing with the theme that personal electronic devices are tolerated at school but not recommended, we permit, yet discourage the use of personal audio electronics (e.g. mp3 player). Our school seeks to foster a positive social environment, and we request that students not sequester themselves in a blanket of music in place of engaging in healthy human interaction during the course of the school day. Keep in mind that any music choices selected by a student should be appropriate for a מקום תורה. These audio devices are never permitted in class.

E.        Students who bring personal electronic devices to school do so at their own risk. Students are advised to lock their lockers with the equipment safely inside should he or she bring the equipment to school. The school is not responsible for missing electronic items, but will certainly take steps to prevent theft in the building and to help students retrieve lost property.