Remote Learning Devices

Device Usage and Guidelines for Students

Students in New York City Public Schools may receive a device for their remote schoolwork and/ or homework (if applicable). If you need a device, it will be sent home on days when students are learning remotely. These devices, along with their chargers, must be returned to school after the Remote Learning day is finished. Currently, the Department of Education does not provide devices for Remote Learning days, so it is important to return these devices and chargers to help with your student's education. All devices given to students are to be used for learning and educational purposes. Students must follow the guidelines below and take extra care to protect the device. Students are responsible for taking care of the device. Teachers will work with families to create a policy for how devices can be used for homework.

Please note: The remote learning devices no longer come with LTE service.

Care and Maintenance

• The student and family must take care of the device.
• If it is damaged or stolen, it must be reported to NYCPS within one school day. If a device is stolen, the student or family must file a police report and give the school the report number.
• Keep the device in a safe place when not in use.
• Students and families should report any problems online at https://supporthub.schools.nyc/ or by calling (718) 935-5100. They can also tell the school directly. Do not try to change or remove anything from the device, like keys, memory, battery, screen, charger, or ID labels.
• Always carry the device carefully. Do not put anything on top of the device.

Usage Guidelines

• All students should use good judgment and common sense when using their remote learning device.
• Be safe, respectful, and careful online.
• Do not try to bypass safety measures and ask an adult if you need help.

Student Acceptable Use Guidelines

Students must:

• Use the device only for learning activities.
• Follow the same rules for respectful online behavior as they do for in-person behavior.
• Treat the device carefully and contact the NYCPS helpdesk at 718-935-5100 if there are any problems.
• Understand that the device belongs to New York City Public Schools and should be treated with respect. If it is stolen, a police report must be filed.
• Tell a teacher or staff member if they see any harmful or inappropriate content online.
• Be careful to protect the safety of themselves and others.
• Help protect the security of school resources.

Students must not:

• Try to bypass the school’s internet filter.
• Use the device in ways that could be harmful.
• Look for inappropriate images or content.
• Engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or disrespectful behavior toward others. This behavior can lead to disciplinary action and loss of privileges. In some cases, cyberbullying is a crime.
• Try to bypass the school’s safety measures.
• Use school technology to send spam or chain mail.
• Use language online that wouldn’t be acceptable in the classroom.
• Use school technology for illegal activities or to look for information about such activities.
• Try to hack into sites, servers, or content not meant for students.
• Change the hardware or software on a school device.

Personal Safety and Privacy

• Users should never share personal information, like phone numbers, addresses, social security numbers, birthdays, or financial information online without adult permission.
• Users should understand that communicating online can be risky, so they need to protect their personal information and that of others.
• Users should never agree to meet someone they met online in real life without getting permission from a parent. If students see anything online that worries them about their safety, they should tell an adult right away.

Limitation of Liability

NYCPS is not responsible for damage or harm to people, files, data, or hardware. Devices have filtering and safety features, but there is no guarantee they will always work. NYCPS is not responsible for unauthorized transactions made over the school network.

Return of Device

This device belongs to NYCPS and has a tracking device so it can be located. All NYCPS devices must be returned in good working condition to the issuing school before leaving (like for graduation, transferring to another school, or other departures).

T-Mobile is proud to partner with the NYC DOE to continue eliminating the Digital Divide in New York City. T-Mobile has a robust program, Project 10Million, that they are offering to all families who lack consistent internet connectivity at home for their K12 students and qualify for free-reduced lunch, SNAP, or EBT benefits. Please navigate to https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-million, click on "Apply now," and fill out a brief form to receive a free 4G wireless hotspot device with 100GB of high-speed data, free, annually for five years.

If you need to find your student's school to complete the form, please enter "NYC" in the School District box on the form. This will display four options. Please select ' NYC Chancellor's Office #NY-300000010000'.  You should then locate the correct school in the School Name dropdown box by typing the first few letters of the school name. If the school is not listed, you can select 'I do not see my school listed…' and continue with the application process.