Dear Rocco Laurie Families,

We are committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all students in our school.  The NYPD’s School Safety Division has assisted us in achieving this goal and in implementing a coordinated approach to school safety.  As part of the safety initiative for New York City schools, on some days students will be required to go through metal scanning machines like the kind used to screen airline passengers for the purpose of detecting weapons.  These scanning devices, deployed by the NYPD’s School Safety Division, will identify not only weapons but other objects that are never permitted in our building and will help us to keep everyone safe in our school.

As you know, there are items that students are prohibited from bringing to school.  These items listed in the Citywide Behavioral Expectations to Support Student Learning (Discipline Code) include but are not limited to blades, knives, other sharp metal instruments, etc.  Students who bring these items to school may be subject to disciplinary measures.  Procedures for use of scanning devices in our school are contained in Chancellor’s Regulation A-432 on Search and Seizure which is available on the Department of Education’s Website www.schools.nyc.gov.  You can also request a copy from my office.  We recommend that you review the Discipline Code with your child to become familiar with what items are prohibited in schools.

The scanning machines will not be at our schools every day, but students must be prepared every day to successfully pass through scanners.  Students must have their student backpacks, as well as all metal objects (keys, belts. coins, jewelry, etc.), will go through the scanner.  So if students place all metal objects in their backpack before reaching the scanner, this will help the line to move quickly.  Students who are not properly prepared for scanning may be required to go through a second, hand-held scan that may delay their arrival to their first class.

I hope that students will be attentive and follow instructions from all School Safety Agents and school staff and be sensitive to other students waiting to be scanned to enter the building.  We will be reviewing details on the scanning process with your child in school this week.

I need your support in making this safety measure successful.  Please discuss this safety procedure with your child.  They must leave prohibited items at home, go quickly through scanning, and enter the building on time in the morning.  I know that your child’s safety is your number one concern.  We are doing everything possible to ensure that all students have a safe learning environment in which they can achieve their full potential.

I am confident that this additional security resource will enhance the safety of everyone in our community.  If you have questions regarding the policies and procedures on scanning, please don’t hesitate to call us.

I thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Jessica Jackson

Principal

Please contact Dr. Wohlstetter or Mr. Primm if a student needs their email address or passwords reset. If students need any support with technology platforms they are using , please feel free to reach them through email.

Program Director Dr. Wolhstetter at jwohlstetter@schools.nyc.gov

Technology Coordinator Mr. Primm at jsilvermanprimm@schools.nyc.gov

Dear Families,

As part of a statewide mandate to support safe, focused, and healthy learning environments, our school will implement a bell-to-bell cell phone and personal electronic device policy beginning September 2025. This policy is in alignment with New York Education Law Section 2803 and Chancellor’s Regulation A-413. For more information on this policy, visit the NYCDOE Family-Facing Page.   

Legal Background  

New York Education Law Section 2803, enacted in May 2025, requires all public schools to prohibit the use of personal internet-enabled devices (such as smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets) by students during the school day with exceptions only for educational use, medical needs, emergencies, or legal requirements. Chancellor’s Regulation A-413,  revised in June 2025, mandates secure storage of student devices, clear communication procedures for families, and written policies shared with all stakeholders.  

Effective the First Day of School        

Students will not be permitted to use or access their personal internet-enabled electronic devices upon arrival at school until the end of the school day. The school day is defined as the period from the moment students enter the school building until the last class of the day ends, including during lunch. The school day starts at 8:00am and ends at 2:20pm. Students will be able to use school/NYCPS-issued devices during the school day.  

Every student is assigned a personal NuKase. While the NuKase is considered school property, it is each student’s responsibility to bring their NuKase with them to school every day and keep it in good working condition. 

Please see a video of how to operate the NuKase Lockable phone cases: https://vimeo.com/1017168103

   As students arrive to school, they will: 

1. Report to their assigned arrival locations and turn their phone off.
2. Place their phone inside their NuKase and secure it in front of school staff.
3. Store their NuKase in their backpack for the day.
4. If a student is staying for any of our after school programs inside our building, the NuKase protocols will be set in place. 

As students exit the school, they will: 

1. Open their NuKase at their assigned designated area based on dismissal procedures set forth by school administration. 
2. Remove their phone, re-lock their NuKase for maintenance purposes and then place the NuKase back into their school bag. 
3. Students must bring their NuKase to school with them each day.  

    If a student is arriving to school late: 

1. The student’s Dean/AP/School Aide will assist the student with the NuKase arrival procedures. 
2. The student should follow the same NuKase arrival procedures as indicated above. 

    If a student is leaving early:

1. The student will meet their guardian in the Family Center. At that time, one of our staff members will assist the student in unlocking their NuKase.
2. The student should follow the same NuKase dismissal procedure as indicated above. 

Parent/Student Communication    

In the event of a school emergency (such as an evacuation, lockdown, or shelter-in-place), we will promptly notify all parents and guardians via GAMA and Operoo with updates and instructions. Please ensure your contact information is up to date on Operoo.

To ensure “distraction-free” instructional time, parents/guardians who need to contact their child during the school day should call the main office or Parent Coordinator at (718) 698-5757 or email your child's Assistant Principal, Dean, or Guidance Counselor. Students will not be permitted to unlock and use their personal devices to communicate during school hours.

○ 6th Grade: Assistant Princpal Ms. Ambrosino, Dean Ms. Carlo, Guidance Counselor Ms. Bermudez

○ 7th Grade: Assistant Principal Ms. Desantis, Dean Mr. Fischler, Guidance Counselor Ms. Gulotta

○ 8th Grade: Assistant Principal Ms. Movsesian, Dean Mr. Jacobs, Guidance Counselor Ms. Conanan

If a student needs to contact their parent or guardian during the school day, they may request to use the designated phone in an administrative office with the permission of their classroom teacher. Students are not permitted to use other electronic devices such as apple watches, ipads, or laptop messaging to communicate with parents and guardians.

Progressive Discipline Policy 

Students who use electronic devices in violation of the NYCPS Discipline Code, the school's policy, Chancellor’s Regulation A-413, and/or the NYCPS Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy ("IAUSP") will be subject to progressive discipline. This means that disciplinary responses will escalate based on the nature and frequency of the violation. 

• • FIRST OFFENSE: 
    • The Dean will collect the device, review the NuKase student policy with the student, and call home to remind the parent of the policy. 
    • Their phone will be collected by Admin and/or Dean and will be placed in a school NuKase which will be secured in the grade Dean's office. Students will NOT be allowed to keep their phone for the day. The student’s phone will then be returned after dismissal. 

• SECOND OFFENSE:

• • • The Dean will review the NuKase student policy with the student and call home to remind the parent of the policy. 
    • Their phone will be collected by Admin and/or Dean and will be placed in a school NuKase which will be secured in the Dean's office. Students will NOT be allowed to keep their phone for the day. The student’s phone will then be returned after dismissal. 
    • Students will serve lunch detention.

• THIRD OFFENSE: 

• • The Dean will review the NuKase student policy with the student and call home to remind the parent of the policy. 
  • Their phone will be collected by Admin and/or Dean and will be placed in a school NuKase which will be placed in a secure location.  Students will NOT be allowed to keep their phone for the day. The guardian will be required to pick up the phone from the school.  
  • Moving forward, the student will have to hand in their locked NuKase to the grade Dean or Assistant Principal daily. The student will forfeit their right to keep their phone on them throughout the school day. The student’s phone will then be returned after dismissal.
  • Repeated Infractions: Suspension, in accordance with DOE guidelines.

Students are allowed to use their device if they have an individualized education program (IEP) or 504 Plan that includes use of an internet-enabled device and do not have a DOE-issued device for such purpose.  Parents/guardians must contact Ms. Bianco (504 Coordinator) at 718-698-5757 if a student requires an exception for reasons such as: medical monitoring/treatments (for example, to monitor blood sugar or other similar circumstances), if student is a caregiver, for approved language purposes (such as translation or interpretation services if no other means are available), or where otherwise required by law.  The principal/designee may authorize use for an educational purpose.  Exceptions will be processed within one week of request.

In the unlikely event that an electronic device is stolen or damaged at school, parents can submit a claim to the Comptroller’s Office. More information on submitting a claim is available on the Comptroller’s webpage.

All students and families will receive a copy of this policy in September and will be asked to acknowledge their understanding.  We appreciate your partnership in creating a focused, respectful, and emotionally healthy school environment.

If you have any questions, please email Mr. Whitford, Assistant Principal of Safety and Discipline, at dwhitfo@schools.nyc.gov.  

THE POLICE OFFICER ROCCO LAURIE SCHOOL 

IS DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING, EDUCATING, AND ENLIGHTENING OUR FUTURE STUDENT LEADERS TO BECOME STRONG GLOBAL CITIZENS BY INSPIRING A LOVE OF LEARNING, EMBRACING THE FULL RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NURTURING THEIR SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

Dear Families, 

We have some important news to share regarding the safety measures at our school. In line with our commitment to enhance security practices, all NYC Public Schools will have a Safer Access system installed during the 2023-25 school years. The Safer Access system is designed to strengthen our existing safety and security practices as part of the overall visitor protocols at our school.   

What is Safer Access? 

The primary objective of the Safer Access system is to ensure that all doors remain locked outside of the morning-entry and afternoon-dismissal periods. When school doors are locked, visitors wishing to gain access to the building will ring the intercom at the main entrance door (or ADA-accessibility entrance if applicable) and identify themselves before access is granted into the school building. Safer Access allows our dedicated staff assigned to the main desk (School Safety Agents and/or school staff) to be able to see and speak with visitors before granting them access inside. Please be assured that all visitors to our school will continue to be treated with courtesy, professionalism, and respect while awaiting entry into our building. In addition to enhancing safety, this system allows for easy access for first responders during an emergency. 

Once our Safer Access system is installed and operational, our school staff (including School Safety Agents) and students will receive training on using the system as well as how to support all visitors in accordance with our policy. 

We believe Safer Access will greatly contribute to maintaining a secure learning environment for our students and staff. 

We look forward to the NYC Public Schools Safer Access system creating a safer environment for everyone. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our school community safe. 

 Safer access.pdf 

Warm regards, 

Jessica Jackson 

Principal       

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