Starting this fall, New York State is requiring a statewide, bell-to-bell restriction on personal internet devices in schools known as the New York State Distraction-Free Schools Law. This means that starting Sept. 2, 2025, F-M will implement a “bell-to-bell” ban on all personal cell phones and internet-enabled devices during school hours. To help students find personal success that supports wellness, the district asks parents and guardians to review the distraction-free learning environment standards outlined below with their student(s) prior to the start of the school year.
Why Was This Made a Law?
New York State Distraction-Free Schools Law published an overview of the research, findings and recommendations given by educators, parents, and educational leaders. Among the findings shared by the state:
- Phones can distract students and inhibit learning and creativity.
- Schools that have instituted “phone-free” or “distraction-free” policies have noted a marked increase in student engagement both in the classroom and communal areas.
- Phone-free environments provide a number of mental health benefits to students and teachers.
- Adolescents who spend up to three hours a day on social media are more likely to experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, and 73% of teenagers who have been cyberbullied have experienced it on social media.
At F-M, we have continually gathered feedback from our students, teachers and families in a variety of ways, including our Research and Marketing Strategies (RMS) surveys, through our Mental Health Committee, student Behavior Intervention Monitoring Assessment System (BIMAS) surveys, and from the feedback of those who attended our two Screenagers screenings. Much of this feedback supports a distraction-free environment.
Our job is to ensure that students find personal success in an environment that supports their overall wellness. Research shows that phones and other devices can distract students from learning and may contribute to issues like cyberbullying.
What Does “Bell-to-Bell” Mean?
From the moment students arrive at school:
Cell phones and other personal internet-enabled devices must be turned off and put away. This includes time in class, lunch, study halls, and passing time between periods. The ban also applies during field trips and other off campus, school-related activities held during the school day.
Once students are dismissed from school:
Students may have access to their personal devices. Students may use their personal devices after school, for example, during sports, clubs, and other evening events. These activities are not affected by the new law.
Where Will Personal Devices Be Kept?
Parents/guardians may wish to keep personal internet devices at home or, if applicable, left in the students’ vehicle. To support this new law, each student in grades 5-12 will receive a school-issued non-locking Faraday-Velcro pouch. Students will place their phone and/or device in the pouch at the start of the day. PreK-4 students are expected to leave any personal items (cell phones, Smartwatches, etc.) at home or powered off in their assigned cubby.
- If a student forgets their pouch, they will check their phone in with the main office.
- Students are responsible for their pouches in the same way they are responsible for their Chromebooks. Lost or damaged pouches may carry a replacement fee.
- Once issued, pouches will remain with the student through grade 12.
What if My Child or I Need to Connect During the School Day?
We know that this is a shift for many families who are used to texting or calling their child during the day on their personal device. There are multiple ways for families to be able to reach each other:
- Students can use designated phones in the school if they need to contact home (for example, the main office, counseling office, or nurse’s office).
- Families should call the school’s main office to reach their child during the school day.
- Students can check their school email using their District-issued Chromebook.
What Devices Are NOT Allowed?
We are asking all families to help us ensure that any personal device that connects to the internet is NOT used by students or their families during the school day, including:
- Cell phones and smartphones
- Smartwatches
- Tablets, including iPads
- Fitness trackers with messaging or calling features
Personal laptops including Macbooks, Chromebooks and windows laptops (district issued Chromebooks should be used instead).
Are There Any Exceptions?
- District-provided devices used for learning are still allowed. For example, all students grades 5-12 have been issued Chromebooks.
- Students with medical needs will be issued a special pouch to indicate to school staff and administration that they are entitled to use their Internet-enabled device for their medical needs (ex. blood sugar monitoring).
- Students who are classified as English Language Learners (ELL) will be issued a special pouch to indicate to school staff and administration that they are entitled to use their Internet-enabled device for translation purposes.
- Students with an individualized education plan (IEP) or 504 plan that indicates a personal internet-enabled device is either allowed or required will be considered permissible only for the purposes outlined in their IEP/504.
- In case of an emergency, students can access their device by simply removing it from its pouch.
What Happens If a Student Uses Their Device?
F-M has developed progressive disciplinary guidelines for each building based on level (elementary, middle and high school) in the event that students do not comply with the new law.
Initial Violation(s)
The device will be brought to the office by the adult. Parents/guardians are contacted.
Subsequent Violation(s)
The device is taken to the office. Parents/guardians are contacted. A parent or guardian must pick up the device.
Continued violations will be considered non-compliance/disruptive and uncooperative behavior and will be dealt with in accordance with the District Code of Conduct, which can be found on our website.
additional questions?
Anyone with additional questions can contact building principals. It is understood that this state mandate is a big change for everyone. District administrators, faculty, and staff are asking for everyone’s support in ensuring that students know, understand and are able to comply with the new law. Together, we can create a distraction-free environment in which students are present and engaged in their learning.