Personal Device Use

What to Expect: 2025–2026 Cell Phone & Device Use Guidelines

Dear CUFSD Parents and Guardians,

This letter outlines what families can expect regarding student use of personal electronic devices during the 2025–2026 school year, including changes required by a new statewide mandate and how the Chester Union Free School District is preparing for implementation. 

On May 10, 2025, Governor Hochul signed legislation requiring all public schools to enforce bell-to-bell restrictions on personal device use.  As a result, students will be required to silence and store devices, including smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, and other internet-enabled personal technology, for the entire school day. This includes all periods of the day, from arrival to dismissal, as well as hallway transitions, lunch, and any other non-instructional time.

EXPANSION OF CURRENT PRACTICES

In August of 2024, notifications were sent via ParentSquare informing families about restrictions on cell phone and personal device use as outlined in the Use of Electronic Devices Policy #7316, included in the 2024–2025 Student Handbook, and available on our website under Technology and Data Management ("Personal Electronic Device Reminder"). The required bell-to-bell ban expands upon practices already in place this year, further promoting student focus, well-being, and active engagement throughout the school day.

Building on the proactive steps established at the start of this school year, we are well-prepared to expand these practices in 2025–2026 to meet new state requirements.  As a result:  

• Chester Elementary School (Pre-K–5) will maintain its current full-day restriction, requiring all personal electronic devices to remain off/silenced and stored in backpacks or lockers for the entire school day.
   
• Chester Academy (Grades 6–12) currently requires that personal electronic devices remain off/silenced and stored in backpacks or lockers during instructional periods and study halls. 

Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, this policy will expand to include all times during the school day, including hallway transitions, lunch, and any other non-instructional periods, in full compliance with the bell-to-bell expectations outlined in the state mandate.

School-issued devices will still be available for instructional use.  

Accommodations will be made on an individual basis for students with documented medical or academic needs.

The following sections provide an overview of what families can expect, how we are supporting students in this transition, and how to stay connected throughout the process.

HOW TO REACH YOUR CHILD

If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call the school’s main office. A staff member will deliver your message promptly, and if needed, your child may be called down to the office to speak with you directly using the office phone.

• If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian during the school day, they may go to the main office to use the school phone or, if necessary, request permission to use their personal cell phone under staff supervision. In these cases, the device may only be used in the office and must be returned to secure storage immediately afterward.
• All classrooms are equipped with phones, allowing staff to communicate with the main office or reach parents as needed.
• In the event of an emergency, families will be notified through ParentSquare, which includes voice calls, text messages, and emails.

SAFETY IS A PRIORITY

We understand that families may have concerns about limiting students’ access to their phones, especially during emergencies. Please know that our priority is to keep all students safe through well-established emergency protocols developed in close coordination with law enforcement and first responders. In these situations, clear and accurate information is critical, which is why we rely on coordinated communication through official channels rather than individual, unverified messages that may cause confusion or delay response efforts.

During emergencies, personal phone use can:

• Delay emergency response by spreading misinformation
• Create panic with premature or inaccurate communication
• Divert focus and attention from important situational awareness, critical directions from adults, and established safety procedures
• Compromise safety by revealing student locations during lockdowns

Our procedures ensure the building is secured, every student is accounted for, and families are informed quickly and accurately.

DISCIPLINE APPROACH

Our goal is to help students build responsible digital habits through clear expectations and supportive accountability. If a student does not follow the policy, their parent or guardian will be notified of any infraction. We view this as an opportunity to partner with families in reinforcing shared expectations and helping students make positive choices.

• First Violation: The device will be held in the main office for the remainder of the school day.
   
• Second Violation: The student will be required to check in their device at the main office each morning and retrieve it at dismissal for one week.
   
• Third Violation: The student will continue to be required to check in their device daily for a minimum of two weeks.  Additional consequences in accordance with the District Code of Conduct, including those related to insubordination.

Further violations will result in additional disciplinary actions as outlined in the District Code of Conduct.

RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

We understand that adjusting to these expectations may raise questions at home about screen time, digital habits, and student well-being. To support families, we’ve provided a list of research-based resources on our district website offering guidance on:

• The impact of personal device use on focus, sleep, and mental health
• Strategies for building healthy digital habits
• Tips for talking with children about responsible technology use

These resources are available on the "Personal Device Use" tab on the website.

WORKING TOGETHER

In addition to meeting the new state requirement, these updated expectations help us:

• Maximize student focus and academic engagement
• Minimize distractions and support positive social interaction and student well-being

We are committed to maintaining open communication. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your building principal directly.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to create a safe, respectful learning environment where every student feels supported and empowered to reach their highest potential.

 

Sincerely,

Catherine O'Hara