Gov. Kathy Hochul’s legislation to create a statewide standard for distraction free schools was approved May 6, 2025. Under this law, New York state schools are required to impose bell-to-bell restrictions on

internet-enabled smart phones and devices capable of connecting to the Internet for grades K-12 starting with the 2025-26 school year. The Governor’s “More Learning, Less Scrolling” report includes findings related to cell phone impact on student learning, anxiety, mental health and safety. This report guided the law now in place for schools to follow.

Current policy #7316 Student Use Of Personal Technology will be updated to reflect the regulations outlined in the law. The updated policy will be titled, “Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day”

The Board of Education will adopt Policy #7316 in August 2025. The policy becomes effective during the 2025-2026 school year.

Gov. Hochul’s legislation allows schools to engage with district stakeholders to assist in developing certain areas of the policy. The district established a committee of parents, students, teachers, faculty and staff, school principals and district administration to gather feedback from all parties impacted by the change. The committee met on July 8 and will meet again following a community forum.

During the school day (“bell-to-bell”) while on school grounds, students are prohibited from using personal Internet-enabled devices such as a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch or other device capable of connecting to the Internet and enabling the user to access content on the Internet including social media applications. Other device examples include, but are not limited to, laptop, smart glasses or other wearable device, iPod, and iPad. This includes devices capable of being connected to the internet and not just those that are currently connected.

Earbuds and headphones will only be allowed by teacher approval, connected to district devices, and only for educational purposes in classrooms and classroom activities.

All students are encouraged to leave their devices at home.

• Elementary Level:
  Devices must be turned off and stored in the student’s backpacks from the time they enter the building at the start of the school day until they exit the building at the end of the school day. At the elementary level, it is strongly recommended that internet-enabled devices be left home. 
   
• Middle and High School Level:
  Devices must be turned off and stored in a locked locker during the school day.

Yes, students may be authorized to use an Internet-enabled device during the school day on school grounds:

• If authorized by a building administrator for a specific educational purpose;
• Where necessary for the management of a student's health care - As required for tracking health conditions or medical purposes as per Individual Health Care Plan (example: Diabetes monitoring) and only by doctor’s script; 
• In the event of an emergency - In a designated area with teacher/administrator permission in the event of a family emergency. During a school-wide emergency, there is no outside communication that would jeopardize the safety of staff or students; 
• For translation services - as necessary for English Language Learners; 
• On a case-by-case basis, for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member. Such allowance will only be permitted upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor;
• Where required by law.
• When the use is included in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan

The District is prohibited from suspending a student solely for accessing internet-enabled devices in violation of this policy. The District is allowed to develop disciplinary consequences for non-compliance regarding personal electronic devices which will be included in Building-Level Student Handbooks and the District Code of Conduct. Students will be reminded of the policy regularly and consistently, especially at the start of school and after returning from breaks.

The formal progressive discipline procedures found in the building-specific code of conduct will be followed. 

Parents or persons in parental relation may call the school's main office. The office staff can relay messages to the student or call the student to the office to speak with their parent or person in parental relation. The school district will notify parents in writing of the communication protocol at the beginning of each school year and upon enrollment.

Students may use the phone in the building main office or in the classroom (with teacher permission) to call a parent. Students may also use e-mail on District-issued devices.

The policy is for student use of personal electronic devices. Teachers and staff members will model positive behavior with personal electronic devices away during instructional time, unless being used for instructional purposes.

During a school-wide emergency, there is no outside communication (student to parent or parent to student) as that would jeopardize the safety of your children. In an emergency situation, building administrators will follow District and Building Level Safety Plans. The focus is on keeping all students safe and working with law enforcement or emergency responders. Students are expected to listen, without distraction, to directions from teachers/building administration during an emergency. The District will notify parents, when it is safe to do so, in an emergency situation.

District Safety Plans implemented during emergencies, depending on the threat level, can include:

• Shelter in Place: used to shelter students and staff inside the building while instruction continues
• Hold-In-Place: used to limit movement of students and staff while dealing with short term emergencies while instruction continues
• Evacuate: used to evacuate students and staff from the building
• Secure Lockout: used to secure building and grounds during incidents that post an imminent concern outside of school, while instruction continues
• Lockdown: used to secure school buildings and grounds during incidents that pose an immediate threat of violence in or around the school

Yes. Parents and students should read those documents and be aware of the updates to the Code of Conduct, as well as the elementary, middle and high school Student Handbooks, regarding cell phone rules, consequences and what devices should not be brought to school.

Yes. Starting Sept. 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the district is required to publish a report on its website detailing enforcement of this policy within the District in the prior school year. The report will include

non-identifiable demographic data of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance and analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of the policy.

Parent resources are being gathered and will be available on the Distraction Free Schools webpage.