NYS Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed the Distraction-Free Schools Law, which outlines a statewide bell-to-bell policy to ban cell phone usage in public and charter schools. You can view the official announcement from Gov. Hochul here. In order to comply with Gov. Hochul’s mandate, the BH-BL Board of Education at its July 31 meeting adopted a policy for cell phone usage for students during the school day.
Prior to this, cell phones were always banned on BH-BL school property for students in grades K-8. At the high school, students surrendered their phones during all instructional periods and study halls but were allowed to use them between classes and at lunch. Under the new law, this approach is no longer permissible. All schools will implement a bell-to-bell ban on internet-enabled devices. Follow these links to review the adopted board policy P5300.31 and accompanying administration regulation AR5300.31.
What does this include?
“Internet-enabled devices” are defined to include smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, or any device capable of accessing Internet content (including social media). The definition excludes non-internet-capable devices and school-issued devices (i.e., Chromebooks) used for educational purposes.
Elementary students must store their phones in their backpacks and keep them in their cubby in their classroom turned off or on silent. They may not have them out on the school bus.
Middle school students should store their phones in their lockers from the beginning of the day until the end of activity period. They are also prohibited from having their phones out on the school bus.
High school students should store their internet-enabled devices in their assigned lockers. Students may use their phones after the last bell at 2:17 pm.
Under the new policy, there are exemptions for student(s) ability to access their devices. The following situations will be allowed under the current policy:
- In the event of an emergency;
- For translation services
- On a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member
- Students must be permitted to use an Internet-enabled device where the use is included in the student’s: Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Principals will be notifying parents by email, and in the student handbook, of various ways parents can contact their children in case of an emergency, and also the procedure for students to contact their parents if necessary during the school day.