CELL PHONE POLICY

New York State has implemented a "bell-to-bell" ban on smartphone use in public schools, requiring students to refrain from using their personal devices during the entire school day, from the first bell to the last, including instructional and non-instructional time. This policy aims to minimize distractions and promote a focused learning environment. 

Schools can determine the best methods for storing devices during the day, such as lockers, pouches, or other designated storage areas, but keeping devices in backpacks is not considered sufficient.

• Students are encouraged to leave their cell phones at home. 

• Cell phone use is prohibited in classrooms, restrooms, and school offices. 

• Each classroom teacher will store phones in the lock box during the instructional day. All cell phones must be in silent mode. 

• Unless they are part of the daily lesson plan, headphones and other listening devices may not be used in the classroom. 

• During instruction, if students need to place an emergency phone call during the day, they should request to visit the assistant principal’s or school counselor’s office to use an office phone. 

• Parents may contact their child if needed by calling the main office. A message will be delivered to the student so they may call home from an office phone. 

Phones may be taken away from students and stored until a family member may retrieve them from the appropriate school administrator. Students may be subject to disciplinary action if the use of their cell phone disrupts the school’s educational environment or testing and/or they continue to break the school rule.