FAQs: Personal Internet-Enabled Devices

General Policy

What is the new policy on personal electronic devices?
Students are prohibited from using personal internet-enabled devices (cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, non-district laptops) anywhere on school grounds during the school day. Devices must be powered off and stored in lockers or designated locations for students in grades 7-12. Elementary students (grades PreK–6) cannot bring these devices to school at all. Click here to read the full policy in English. To translate the policy into other languages, click here.

Which devices are included?
Any device that connects to the internet, such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and laptops not issued by the district. Other personal electronics (e.g., headphones, e-readers) must also be stored and powered off unless a teacher or administrator gives permission.

Why is this policy in place?
It is required by state law and aims to reduce distractions, improve academic performance, promote mental health, and ensure a safe, focused learning environment.

Exceptions and Special Circumstances

Are there exceptions for medical or special education needs?
Yes. Students with IEPs, Section 504 Plans, or documented medical needs may be granted exceptions. Parents must request exceptions through the school principal and provide appropriate documentation.

How do I request an exception for my child?
Contact your school principal and submit documentation from a healthcare professional or relevant specialist if required.

Can my child use their device for translation or family caregiving responsibilities?
Yes, exceptions may be made for translation needs or caregiving responsibilities, reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Communication and Emergencies

How can I contact my child during the school day?
Call the school’s main office. Students can request to contact parents from the administrator’s or counselor’s office.

What happens during an emergency?
The school will follow established emergency protocols. Staff will facilitate communication with families as needed. Personal device use during emergencies is generally not permitted to avoid interfering with safety procedures.

What if my child feels anxious not having their phone?
Staff are available to support students who feel anxious. If your child has a documented anxiety disorder or similar need, contact the school to discuss possible accommodations.

Enforcement and Consequences

How will the policy be enforced?
Progressive discipline will be used: warning, device confiscation, parent contact, and, for repeat violations, daily device check-in with administration. Out-of-school suspensions will not be used for policy violations as long as your child complies with the request from staff if found to be in violation of the policy.

What if my child refuses to give up their device?
Further consequences under the district’s Code of Conduct may apply, including but not limited to and up to detention, exclusion from extracurricular activities, or suspension. Staff will also work with families to address underlying issues.

Will the policy be enforced consistently?
The district is committed to fair enforcement and will report annual data to monitor for disparities.

Instructional and Practical Questions

Can my child use their device for classwork or educational purposes?
Only if the device is registered and approved by administration for a specific activity. Otherwise, personal devices must remain stored and off.

What if my child needs their phone for after-school plans?
Students can retrieve their devices after the school day. Parents are encouraged to coordinate plans before or after school hours.

What if my child forgets to store their device or accidentally leaves it on?
Initial violation will result in a warning. Repeated incidents will follow the progressive disciplinary measures outlined above.

What if my child needs to check in with me about a health issue (e.g., medication reminders)?
Discuss your child’s needs with the school nurse or counselor to arrange appropriate support or accommodations.

What if my child loses, damages, or has their device stolen at school?
The district is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.

Testing and Assessments

Are devices allowed during tests?
No. Devices are prohibited in testing locations. Proctors may collect devices before Regents and AP exams. Only students with documented needs (IEP/504/medical) may use approved devices.

Policy Details and Feedback

Where can I read the full policy?
The policy is posted on the Board of Education website in English. You may translate the policy into other languages by clicking here. Hard copies are available upon request.

How can I share feedback or ask more questions?
A virtual meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, for further discussion. You may join it by clicking here.

Scenarios 

What if my child witnesses or is involved in a bullying incident and wants to report it immediately?
Students should report incidents to a staff member, counselor, or administrator, who will respond promptly. The district encourages open communication and will support students in reporting concerns.

What if my child needs to use a device for a club, extracurricular, or after-school activity?
The policy applies during the school day. After-school use is permitted. Students should store devices during the day and retrieve them at dismissal.

What if my child needs their phone for a ride or transportation change during the day?
Students can request to use a school phone or office phone to contact parents about transportation issues.

What if my child is responsible and never uses their phone in class, can they keep it with them?
No. The policy applies to all students to ensure equity and consistency. Devices must be stored and powered off, regardless of prior behavior.

What if my child has a smartwatch that tracks health but also connects to the internet?
Smartwatches capable of internet access are covered by the policy and must be stored and powered off unless an exception is granted for appropriately documented medical needs.

What if my family has an emergency and needs to reach my child immediately?
Contact the school office. Staff will relay urgent messages to students promptly. Parents will receive confirmation that the message has been received. 

What if my child needs to leave early for an appointment?
Send a note or call the main office. Students will be called from class as needed.

What if my child's device is confiscated and we need it after school?
Parents can pick up confiscated devices from the school office or administrator.

Questions Submitted by Families

My child’s 504 plan states that his phone must be powered on and with him the entirety of the day. How will the request for exception to the policy work?
Students with IEPs or Section 504 Plans that specifically require the use of electronic or internet-enabled devices must be permitted to use them as specified or as otherwise required by law. Requests must be made to the school principal. Each school will provide information regarding the process for requesting an exception. Once an exception is granted, all school personnel will be notified.

My daughter’s watch is only able to make calls and is in school mode during the day blocking her ability to do so. She generally turns it off and stores it in her backpack. Will she still be able to have it at school?
If the device is unable to connect to the internet then it is okay for her to store in her backpack. However, internet-enabled devices, including those that have the capability to disable internet access, are not allowed at the K-6 level and must be turned off and stored during the school day at junior and senior high school levels.

What if I give my child a phone that has internet access blocked or phone is unable to have an internet access, for example a phone could be used to take calls and receive text messages but no internet access. Will this be allowed?
The law targets “internet-enabled devices.” If a phone cannot access the internet, it may be allowed, but still needs to be stored away during the school day.

Students do not have the ability to send or receive emails outside the district. It would be helpful if parents could reach students at least via email if needed during the day. This is important for being able to communicate about after-school sports for students and parents (practices changing, ride needs, staying after for other reasons, etc).
In order to help students in grades 9-12 communicate with necessary external organizations, they will now be allowed to send and receive e-mails outside of the R-H domain. Email access for students in grades K-8 is still limited to district accounts for safety and privacy reasons. District policy and NYS law restrict personal device use during the school day, including for communication. While students cannot use personal devices, parents can contact the school office in case of urgent messages. The district is aware of concerns about after-school logistics and is working to ensure timely communication through school channels. 

Can my child use a FitBit to track her steps? FitBit doesn't have internet access, but it is an electronic device. Will it be allowed? 
Fitness trackers without internet connectivity are not considered “internet-enabled devices” under the law and, therefore, are permitted.

The SyncUP Kids watch is a smartwatch that allows parents to track and contact their children. It does not connect to the internet, and cannot access any websites or any kind of social media. After reading the policy it seems that this type of device would be allowed.
Smartwatches that do not connect to the internet or social media, and are used solely for parent contact or tracking, may be allowed. However, they must comply with school guidelines about use and storage during the school day, meaning they must be off and put away during school. For K-6 students, please contact your child’s principal to confirm allowance. 

Will the school be responsible for lost or damaged phones?
The district is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of personal devices brought to school. Students bring devices at their own risk, and families are encouraged to consider this before sending devices to school.

Can you explain the headphone policy? Headphones are required per the school supply list every year, yet they are also on the list of electronic devices that the policy says are discouraged from being brought to school.
Headphones are often required for instructional use with district-issued devices. The policy discourages bringing personal headphones for non-instructional use. Future communications will clarify the role of headphones to avoid confusion.

Many times after school activities are fluid given weather or other issues. If kids are trying to grab stuff out of lockers and reboot phones and scramble to make a bus or connecting bus they may not get messages in time.
The district recognizes the need for students to receive after-school updates. Students will be able to access their devices at the end of the school day, and families are encouraged to plan accordingly. For urgent changes, contact the school office.

Why wasn’t this change put to a vote? Parents use phones to contact their children for many reasons during the school day, and this change will make it very difficult to provide our children with timely updates about appointments, after-school rides, and other urgent matters.
The new policy is mandated by NYS law and was not subject to a local vote. The district sought input from parent and student advisory councils and other stakeholders during policy development. The law was passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor, requiring all districts to comply.

I am concerned about the volume of calls schools will receive and how quickly messages will get to children.
Parents needing to reach students during the day should contact the main office. Office staff will use clearly defined procedures to quickly and accurately route important messages to students in class, minimizing any classroom disruption. In addition, students will be instructed on how and when they can check in with the main office or administrator if they are expecting a message from home, helping to ensure important communications reach them efficiently. Lastly, to support a smooth transition, schools will closely monitor call volume and message delivery timeliness during the early weeks of policy implementation and will make staffing or procedural adjustments as needed.

Will students be allowed to use their smart devices during lunch or study period?
No. Per state law, devices must remain off and stored until the end of the school day.

How will you deal with the explosion of student dropouts you will face?
There is no evidence from New York state or other school districts that restricting personal device use increases dropout rates. The intent is to foster a focused, supportive environment that benefits all students’ learning and well-being.

What if one student is permitted to use their phone, but another student is not. How will that be addressed?
Exceptions are only made for documented medical or disability needs, as required by law. The district plans to apply the policy consistently to all students to ensure fairness and legal compliance.

Why is there a different policy for 7-9 buildings (keep the phone off in the locker) as compared to the high school (phone can be on the student and go in a lock box during class)? Or is the lock box option available as the student enters the building?
Based on feedback, the high school policy has been revised to have students place their phones in their lockers.  

My elementary-age child has a Smartwatch that goes back and forth between my house and his dad’s, and is used for communication with us. He takes the bus from my house and his father’s house every other day so there would be no other way for him to have the watch unless it is with him at school. Is there an exception for him to leave it in his backpack turned off until the end of the day?
Any requests for exceptions should be sent to the school’s principal.

What if your child is leaving early for the day? How do they get their phone?
Students leaving early will be able to retrieve their devices from their lockers before dismissal. 

For hygienic reasons, are the phones going to be stored in individual compartments?
Devices will be stored in individual student lockers. 

Students in grades 4-6 are sometimes navigating bus rides on their own. I totally support the bell-to-bell ban, but am very concerned that the students are not allowed to bring devices as they may be getting themselves on and off the bus for the first time without an adult present.
The district understands and shares concerns about student safety before and after school. Any requests for exceptions should be sent to the school’s principal. 

Will there be a grace period for students to adjust to the new rules?
We understand this may take some adjustment. While there is no official grace period, the first step in the progressive discipline measures is a warning. Additionally, during the first weeks of school, staff will focus on education, reminders, and supportive enforcement, which will help students adapt to the new policy.

Can devices be used while on the bus?
Only secondary students (grades 7–12) are permitted to bring internet-enabled devices to school and use them on the school bus. Elementary students (PreK–6) are not allowed to bring personal internet-enabled devices to school or on the school bus. 

Can devices be used before school begins or after school ends, while waiting for the bus or entering/leaving the building?
For junior and senior high school students, use of devices is permitted before the official start of the school day and after dismissal. Students may power on devices once they exit the academic portion of the day (e.g., after the last bell or upon exiting the building).

What if my child does not have a locker or my child’s locker is broken and they can’t store their device?
Students without lockers will be assigned a locker as soon as possible. During the first weeks of school, staff will work with students to ensure they know how to open their lockers consistently. In the event that a student’s locker is broken, temporary storage solutions (e.g. with the administrator) will be provided until locker issues are resolved.

What is the policy for personal devices during field trips or off-campus activities?
The same policy applies unless otherwise stated for a specific trip. Teachers may allow device use for educational purposes if approved by the school principal. Parents will be notified in advance of any exceptions.

Will students be allowed to use personal devices if district devices are unavailable for online testing or digital classroom work?
No. Only district-issued devices may be used for instructional purposes.

If my child forgets to retrieve their phone from their locker before going home, can they return after school to get it?
Yes, students may return to their school after dismissal to collect devices. However, they must be supervised upon re-entering the building, so school security or an administrator must be notified in advance.

What steps are schools taking to support children feeling anxious due to device separation?
School staff will incorporate social-emotional learning (SEL) supports to help students build healthy device habits.

Are staff allowed to use their personal devices during the day?
While the law applies specifically to student use, staff are still expected to model appropriate and responsible use of personal devices throughout the school day.

Will students be able to check their phones during 9th period or homeroom to coordinate rides?
No. Devices must remain stored until final dismissal. Staff will assist with urgent communication via office phones if ride needs change late in the day.

If my medical or educational exception request is denied, what is the appeals process?
You may appeal the decision by submitting additional documentation to the school principal and, if necessary, escalate to the assistant superintendent of Student & Family Services for review.

How will policy compliance be maintained when substitute teachers are present?
Substitutes will receive both verbal and written guidance clearly outlining the expectations to maintain consistent enforcement. 

Will this policy be re-evaluated or changed based on feedback?
Yes. The district will review enforcement data and stakeholder feedback annually. Adjustments may be made within the confines of the state law to improve clarity, fairness, or implementation.

My K-6 child walks to and from school and I track her from home to make sure she is safe. Would this be allowed as an exemption from the policy and therefore permit my daughter to have her phone?
Unless there is a qualifying medical or special education plan or family caregiving circumstance, requests to allow an elementary student to carry a location-tracking device for routine daily safety do not meet exemption criteria under current law or district policy. If you believe your child's situation presents exceptional circumstances, please contact your school principal with supporting documentation for further review.

My child has a watch that has games and counts steps. It does not connect to the internet and goes into school mode during school hours so only tracks steps and tells time. Can she still wear her watch if it doesn’t connect to the internet? 
While non-internet-connected devices are not banned, district policy requires that they be powered off and stored for the entire school day unless staff specifically authorizes their use. 

What if there is a fire in the school requiring immediate evacuation? How will students get their property quickly and safely?
In the event of an emergency, the school will follow district safety protocols and procedures. Retrieval of personal property will depend on the nature of the emergency. The safety of students and staff is our main priority.

My child has never used a locker and has kept her device in her book bag during the day. Will students be forced to use a locker so that devices are locked in there?
Junior and senior high school students must store devices in their lockers. Book bags are not acceptable for device storage. At the start of the school year, students will have opportunities to get accustomed to using their lockers.

Please clarify that AirPods will not be allowed as the head phones to use throughout the year.
Headphones or earbuds must be stored and off unless authorized for instructional use by a teacher/administrator.