LI SCHOOL DISTRICTS READY TO ENFORCE CELLPHONE BAN: MOST WILL REQUIRE DEVICES TO BE LEFT IN STUDENTS' LOCKERS

Dandan Zouand Michael R Ebert.  Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y..

18 Aug 2025: 

Source: Zou, D. & Ebert, M. R. (2025, August 18). LI School Districts Ready to Enforce Cellphone Ban: Most Will Require Devices to Be Left in Students’ Lockers. Newsday.

This fall, Long Island public schools will implement New York State’s “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban during the school day, affecting over 94 school districts. The ban requires middle and high school students to leave internet-enabled devices—such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches—behind in either lockers or lockable pouches. The policy, which took effect after Governor Kathy Hochul’s approval of the measure in the state budget this May, prohibits device access from the first bell to the last, in cafeterias, during free periods, or as students transition through hallways.

Implementation Strategy and Logistics

A Newsday analysis of 124 districts revealed that most plan to have students store devices in lockers. Nineteen districts—including large systems like Brentwood and Smithtown—will alternatively use specialized lockable pouches, which are particularly helpful for students who leave campus during lunch. For example, East Hampton invested approximately $50,000 in a pouch system based on student feedback, while other districts like Sag Harbor and Roosevelt have successfully piloted these pouches in recent years.

Some elementary districts, such as Wainscott and Sagaponack, noted their pupils generally do not bring devices to school, making enforcement less of a concern. District policies draw a clear distinction between the instructional day, during which the ban applies, and after-school activities or field trips, which are not universally covered unless specified by individual districts.

Definitions and Exceptions

The “bell-to-bell” definition varies slightly by district, with Jericho, for instance, designating school hours specific to each grade level. While off-campus students may use devices at lunchtime, school-based usage remains restricted. Notably, exceptions are made for educational, medical, or family-related circumstances—such as Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), language translation needs, or caregiving responsibilities—provided the student’s access is documented by school psychologists or counselors. Emergency use, though not exhaustively outlined, is also permitted under special circumstances.

Policy implementation places emphasis on managing exceptions discreetly to protect student privacy. For example, in Levittown—where staff cannot discern every student—the risk of inadvertently exposing sensitive information must be mitigated.

Communication and Enforcement Protocols

Parents will need to rely on phone calls, emails, written notes, or platforms like ParentSquare to reach students during school hours. Some districts are exploring designated email systems to facilitate this, while others note parents may opt for cellphones with limited or no internet capabilities solely for emergency connectivity.

Enforcement of the ban is designed to be progressive. First-time violations typically result in device confiscation for the day; repeat offenses may require parents to retrieve the device. In Mount Sinai, recurring violations can lead to prolonged retention in the office, while Port Jefferson may assign detentions. Some districts may also require students to engage with content on the detrimental effects of social media—escalating disciplinary consequences beyond device removal.

Support and Funding

To support districts in implementing the ban, the state allocated $13.5 million in grants, disbursed based on enrollment in grades 7–12. Long Island schools collectively received over $2.3 million. Levittown, for instance, received $37,000 to procure locks, lockers, and safes. However, districts like East Hampton have funded pouch purchases independently, with costs integrated into their budgets. In Brentwood, students (or their families) must bear the cost of replacing lost or damaged pouches.

Reporting and Accountability

Starting in fall 2026, all districts must publish annual enforcement reports. These will include anonymized demographic data regarding student discipline for device violations, assessing equity and non-discrimination in policy enforcement. This requirement underscores statewide commitment to monitoring the ban’s impact and ensuring fairness in its implementation.

Key Takeaways for Educators

• Policy Scope: Long Island’s public school districts are advancing the state’s “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban through prominent storage solutions such as lockers and pouches.

• Preparation Required: Expect transitional challenges, especially in orienting students to new storage norms and handling exceptions sensitively.

• Instructional Disruption Minimized: Proactive communication channels replace personal device use during school hours, maintaining access where necessary (e.g., translation, emergency).

• Equity and Privacy Monitored: Enforcement protocols are evolving, with attention to confidentiality, due process, and transparent reporting.

These changes reinforce a broader educational goal: minimizing device-related distractions to support student focus, mental health, and instructional effectiveness.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com