Cellphone Policy FAQ and Resources

From 8:30 a.m.-3:05 p.m. you should store your cellphone in your backpack, locker, at home or in your dorm room. It should be turned off at all times.

You may make phone calls from the Student Life Office during the school day. Alternatively, you may use the phone at the front desk in Masters Hall.

All schedules are available on LMS, which is accessible through your computer. Your LMS class schedule can be downloaded to Google Calendar, which can be an easier format to read on your computer.

During your first advisory meetings, your advisor will help you make a paper copy to keep on hand. If you are ever unsure of where to go, you can stop by the Student Life Office and someone will be happy to help you.

Not from your phone. You can connect or pair your headphones to your computer to listen to music during your study hall, free period or when not in class.

Your classroom teacher will give express and direct permission to use your device if it is essential for that specific class activity. Otherwise, it is not allowed.

Yes, if you have a free period during the day and return to your dorm room you may call your parents who live in another time zone.

No, go old school! Print or write out your notes for your announcement or presentation.

Yes, with permission from your grade dean and the student making the presentation.

Show me at 3:05 p.m. The wait will be worth it. You can explain it to me, though, since I probably won’t understand it anyway.

Masters’ safety protocols take into account students who may be outside of the classroom or in a free period during an emergency. These protocols are planned according to best practices and research related to school safety in conjunction with local police agencies.

Faculty and staff have access to phones capable of calling 911. Additionally, in the event of a situation requiring an immediate 911 call, and in which an adult is not immediately present, students are permitted to utilize their phone to dial 911.

Please communicate with our head nurse, Tara Eng, at nurse@mastersny.org. She will work with the Student Life Office to provide the needed support and accommodations.

Please communicate with our Counseling Center by emailing counseling@mastersny.org and a counselor will help identify and reserve a confidential space in the Health Center for your child to use.

Masters’ network blocks student traffic to social media sites during the academic day.

Faculty and staff who see students using phones inappropriately will be directed to confiscate the student’s phone and turn it into the Student Life Office, where it will be securely stored. Confiscated cellphones may be picked up from the Student Life Office at 3:05 p.m. As with other infractions, we will begin with a conversation and some reflection if a student chooses to ignore the rule. Should a pattern of multiple infractions occur, we will involve parents in trying to resolve the problem, and if necessary, assign additional consequences.

Communications will be sent to students' emails prior to Panther Time activities.

Students will be contacted via email or directly in their classroom should inclement weather affect their busing or travel times.

In cases of serious medical needs that necessitate monitoring via cellular technology, if no viable alternatives are available, exemptions may be granted. Temporary exemptions may also be considered under certain unanticipated family circumstances and will need to be approved by the head of upper school.