Cell Phone Restriction Plan

From the Superintendent

Dear Beacon Community:

I have an update regarding our 25-26 school year cell phone policy.

The new law requires New York school districts to restrict access to personal internet-enabled devices for the entirety of the school day, with a few exceptions. After a successful year of our classroom phone ban, I am excited to see more positive effects in our schools this year.

You can read the actual law here.

The Board will vote on our policy on July 21. A copy of the policy is available on this page.

Here are a few notes about our policy: At the high school and the middle school, students will be directed to store their smartphones and other internet-enabled devices in their lockers for the entire school day, including lunch and recess. Administrators at both schools will spend the first few days of the school year acclimating our students to this new procedure. Most schools in this region will be doing something similar. Elementary schools will follow the same procedures from previous years, with phones and devices in cubbies and backpacks for the entire school day.

Communication will be key with this change. One of the significant areas of concern from our last month's survey was communication concerns. Our schools are working on creating communication planning that will be clear to parents and families about who to contact at each school for what, as well as a way of notifying parents of schedule changes. Students who need to reach out to parents during the day can do so at different times from school phones as directed by teachers, administrators, or guidance counselors. Detailed information about our communication plans will be available to families by mid-August. Details about exceptions to the policy, through an IEP, 504 plan, or the caregiver exception, will be posted on our website and emailed to families on August 1.

Another area of feedback from our survey was the need to be clear about procedures and consequences when they are not followed. No phone storage system is perfect, so we will focus on working with students who try to access their phones during the day. Students accessing their phones during the school day must turn them over to an administrator. The first time, for the remainder of the day, the second time, for five days, etc. The progressive consequences are spelled out in the policy. Each administrator will have locked cell phone lockers in their offices to store student devices that do not comply with the policy. Students out of compliance with the policy will check their phones in the morning with an administrator and get them back at the end of the day.

We will be back in touch several times before the start of the school year with updates and create a section on our website dedicated to the new policy.

The new policy and law will create fewer distractions for students and more communication challenges for all of us. We will work hard to meet the challenges of the new policy for the remainder of this summer and throughout the 25-26 school year.

Please reach out to me at landahl.m@beaconk12.org if you have questions or concerns.

Matt Landahl

Cellphone FAQs 2025-2026

Why is the district adopting this policy?

In May 2025, New York State announced that all school districts must implement bell-to-bell restrictions on cell phones and internet-enabled devices, effective August 1, 2025. This statewide requirement applies to all K-12 schools.

In anticipation of this legislation, the Beacon City School District spent the last few months preparing for this new policy that will create fewer distractions for our young people throughout the school day.

What is the state requiring?

Beginning August 1, 2025, all New York State school districts, charter schools, and BOCES must adopt policies that restrict student use of:

Smartphones
Tablets
Smartwatches
Any internet-enabled personal devices

These restrictions must apply throughout the entire school day—from the first bell to the last—on school grounds. Limited exceptions (e.g., for instruction, health, or accessibility) will be permitted.

What are some of the benefits of the bell-to-bell cell phone ban?

Where do students store their devices during the day?

What if a student cannot reach their locker first thing to put their phone away?

Where and where does this policy apply?

State guidance requires that restrictions apply:

From the first bell to the final bell, each school day, including during non-instructional time like lunch, recess, and study hall
In all school areas, including classrooms, hallways, restrooms, cafeterias, and playgrounds
During school hours, unless use is explicitly authorized by staff or a student has an exception for instructional, medical, or accessibility purposes

What happens if a student does not follow the policy?

Students out of compliance with this policy will be sent to an administrator. The administrator will confiscate the device, and it will be held in the office for a period of time.

The first time, the device will be stored in the office for the remainder of the day.

The second time, the device will be stored in the office for five school days, with the student taking responsibility for checking their phone in and picking it up daily.

The device will be stored in the office for ten days, the third time.

The fourth time, the device will be stored in the office for twenty days or longer.

The fifth time, the device will be stored in the office for a period of time designated by the building principal, up to the remainder of the school year.

The school district is not responsible for devices that are lost or damaged.

Are there exemptions to the law?

Yes. Students may use devices under the following circumstances:

If specified in their IEP, 504 plan, or individual health care plan.
Authorization by a teacher, principal, or the school district, charter school, or BOCES for a specific educational purpose.
Instances where necessary for the management of a student’s healthcare.
Usage on a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school principal, for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and wellbeing of a family member.

IEP exemption

For students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), the primary point of contact is the assigned IEP case manager. At the elementary level, you may also contact your child’s classroom teacher for additional assistance.

For further guidance and support, you may reach out to:

Ms. Christina Bartley (Grades 6–12) – Pupil Personnel Services Office
Email: bartley.c@beaconk12.org
Dr. Leah Raftis (Grades K–5) – Pupil Personnel Services Office
Email: raftis.l@beaconk12.org

504 Plan or Medical exemption

For students with Section 504 Plans, the primary point of contact is the school psychologist assigned to each school building.

You may also reach out to the following staff members for additional support:

Ms. Jiana Cardillo-Rojas (Grades 9–12) – Beacon High School
Email: cardillo-rojas.j@beaconk12.org
Ms. Stephanie Baker-Wright (Kindergarten–8th Grade) – Pupil Personnel Services Office
Email: baker-wright.s@beaconk12.org

Caregiver exemption

Students who are primary caregivers to a family member may be given an exemption from the bell to bell restriction on a case by case basis. Please reach out to Principal Corey Dwyer at BHS dwyer.c@beaconk12.org or Principal Brian Soltish soltish.b@beaconk12.org at RMS if you want to apply for this exemption.

How do I deliver a message to my child during the school day?

Exemptions Letter- Smart Phone Restriction

August 20, 2025

Dear Beacon Families:

On July 21, the Beacon City School District Board of Education adopted a policy that restricts student access to their personal internet-enabled devices for the entirety of the school day. This policy is required by state law.

Use of personal internet-enabled devices will be allowed when it is determined that access is necessary and included in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 Plan or a caregiver exemption.

IEP exemption
For students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), the primary point of contact is the assigned IEP case manager. At the elementary level, you may also contact your child’s classroom teacher for additional assistance.

For further guidance and support, you may reach out to:

Ms. Christina Bartley (Grades 6–12) – Pupil Personnel Services Office
Email: bartley.c@beaconk12.org
Dr. Leah Raftis (Grades K–5) – Pupil Personnel Services Office
Email: raftis.l@beaconk12.org

504 Plan or Medical exemption
For students with Section 504 Plans, the primary point of contact is the school psychologist assigned to each school building.

You may also reach out to the following staff members for additional support:

Ms. Jiana Cardillo-Rojas (Grades 9–12) – Beacon High School
Email: cardillo-rojas.j@beaconk12.org
Ms. Stephanie Baker-Wright (Kindergarten–8th Grade) – Pupil Personnel Services Office
Email: baker-wright.s@beaconk12.org

Caregiver exemption
Students who are primary caregivers to a family member may be given an exemption from the bell to bell restriction on a case by case basis. Please reach out to Principal Corey Dwyer at BHS dwyer.c@beaconk12.org or Principal Brian Soltish soltish.b@beaconk12.org at RMS if you want to apply for this exemption.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Matt Landahl

Student and Personal Electronic Devices Policy 5695

The Board of Education recognizes that students may have personal internet-enabled devices that can perform different functions, such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, headphones, and other devices capable of connecting to the internet. The District prohibits students from using such personal internet-enabled devices during the instructional day, both in the building and on school grounds.

Device Access and Storage

Device Access and Storage

As required by Education Law 2803, the policy prohibits student use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day on school grounds unless under an exception.

At all levels, the student device must be powered off and put away.

At the elementary level, student devices must be stored in a location designated by the building principal.

At the middle school level, student devices must be stored in a storage location/device as directed by an administrator upon the first bell of the day.

At the high school level, student devices must be stored in a storage location/device as directed by an administrator upon the first bell of the day.

Exceptions for Specific Purposes

Exceptions for Specific Purposes

Use of personal internet-enabled devices must be permitted where included in a student’s Individualized Education Program, Section 504 plan, or where required by law. Additionally, the district permits the use of personal internet-enabled devices in the event of an emergency, and under the following circumstances:

Where necessary to manage a student’s healthcare (e.g., diabetes, asthma, medication, etc.);
For translation services; and/or
For students who are routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member (on a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by school administration or other staff)

Parents may request an exception for their children to use personal internet-enabled devices during the school day as listed above. Requests must be made to the Building Principal, and for healthcare exceptions, must include documentation from an appropriate healthcare professional.

Students may also be permitted to use their personal internet-enabled devices during the school day on school grounds for specific educational purposes if, with administrative approval, the teacher has authorized the use of specific devices for a particular activity, after which the device must be stowed per this policy.

Under any of these exceptions, devices may only be used for the purposes outlined in the exception, and the device must be silenced and put away when not in use, to the extent compatible with the reason for the exception.

Communication with Parents/Caregivers

Communication with Parents/Caregivers

During the school day, to minimize distractions, parents (which, for purposes of this policy, includes caregivers) may contact their children via the following methods:

Calling the applicable school office, or
Emailing specific school staff

The district will notify parents in writing of the communication protocol at the beginning of each school year and upon enrollment.

Enforcement, Consequences, and Reporting

Enforcement, Consequences, and Reporting

Enforcement of this policy is chiefly the responsibility of the building administrative staff; however, all designated employees are expected to assist in enforcement. Students will be reminded of this policy regularly and consistently, especially at the start of the school year and after returning from breaks.

For students out of compliance with this policy, the device will be confiscated by school staff and held in the office for a period of time. The first time, the device will be stored in the office for the remainder of the day. The second time, the device will be stored in the office for five school days, with the student taking responsibility to check their phone in and pick it up daily. The third time, the device will be stored in the office for ten days. The fourth time, the device will be stored in the office for twenty days or longer. The fifth time, the device will be stored in the office for a period of time designated by the building principal, up to the remainder of the school year.

The district will exercise reasonable care to maintain the security of devices that are held by the district, but cannot guarantee the devices will be secure. For students with exceptions under this policy, the district will examine alternative ways to achieve the purpose of the exception, including different storage or access provisions.

Administrators will also discuss the aims of this policy with students and their parents, the benefits of a distraction-free environment, the reasons the student had difficulty following this policy, and how the district can help the student contribute to a distraction-free environment.

The district may not impose suspension from school if the sole grounds for the suspension is that the student accessed a personal internet-enabled device as prohibited by this policy. However, the district may utilize consequences under the district’s Code of Conduct, including detention, in-school suspension, and exclusion from extracurricular activities.

Some uses of personal internet-enabled devices may constitute a violation of the school district Code of Conduct or other district policies, and in some instances, the law. The district will cooperate with law enforcement officials as appropriate.

Beginning September 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the district will publish an annual report on its website detailing the enforcement of this policy over the past year, including non-identifiable demographic information of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance with this policy, and an analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a plan to mitigate such disparate enforcement.

Electronic Devices and Testing

Electronic Devices and Testing

To ensure the integrity of testing, in accordance with state guidelines, students may not bring internet-enabled devices into classrooms or other exam locations during state assessments. Teachers may grant permission for electronic device usage during tests other than state assessments.

Test proctors, monitors, and school officials have the right to collect personal internet-enabled devices prior to the start of the test and to hold them for the duration of the test-taking time. Admission to the test will be prohibited to any student who has a personal internet-enabled device in their possession and does not relinquish it. Students with Individualized Education Plans or Section 504 Plans, or documentation from medical practitioners specially requiring the use of personal internet-enabled devices, may do so as specified.

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