School Policies & Guidance
Bullying
The NYCDOE is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and/or bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination on account of actual or perceived race, color, age, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, or weight.
What You Can Do If Your Child Is Being Bullied or Bullying Another
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Report the incident to your school's Respect for All (RFA) liaison(s) and/or school administration.
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RFA Liaison: Mr. Keys, Guidance Counselor: dkeys2@schools.nyc.gov
For more bullying resources and information:
Technology and Screen Time Policy
At PS 56, we believe in the importance of fostering meaningful interpersonal interactions, encouraging play, and cultivating moments of joy throughout the school day. These values help support the overall well-being and development of our students, and we put them into action with our school-wide technology policies.
First, in accordance with New York State law and District 13 policy, our school is a “personal electronic free space.” Students may not use personal electronics and/or internet enabled devices (such as cell phones, iPads, digital cameras, smart watches, etc) at any time during the school day or after-school programming. More information about this policy can be found in the Personal Electronics Policy in the next section. Second, PS 56 teachers and staff use screens and technology judiciously in our classrooms and enrichment activities. Media and tech tools presented to students are carefully chosen to augment teachers’ curricula, and to help prepare students for life in the digital age. We avoid passive screen time during the school day, and our after-school programming is 100% screen-free. Overall, our technology and screen time policy is designed to ensure that digital tools are used effectively to enhance student learning while also promoting their overall well-being. By maintaining a balanced approach to technology use, we strive to create a supportive and enriching educational environment that prepares our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Our emphasis on personal connection also means we encourage parental involvement and welcome feedback about how we use screens and technology. As our world rapidly changes, we are committed to evolving our policies in the ongoing best interests of our students.
Personal Electronics Policy
Per New York State law, all New York City schools must adhere to a personal electronics-free policy, including cell phones, smart watches, iPads, etc. Linked below is the policy specific to our school, which outlines how electronics brought from home will be collected and returned at the end of the day, consequences if students are found to have devices in their possession, exceptions, and other information.
Green Team Guidance
The Green Team seeks to reduce the environmental impact of school-wide events by offering the following guidance to minimize single-use products; opt for used and reused goods when possible; shop locally when used or reused isn’t an option; increase recycling and composting; and offer lower-impact food options.
Head Lice Policy
We adhere to the Department of Education's lice policy, which is linked below. In an attempt to be proactive in controlling this common childhood occurrence, the PS 56 PTA funds at least two school-wide lice screens per year and provides lice combs as needed.
