A Message from Superintendent Decker

The Indian River Central School District, like all other districts across New York State, will begin the 2025-2026 school year with a new “bell to bell” student personal electronic device policy intended to create a distraction-free learning environment that aligns with New York State Education Law Section 2803. This new state mandate restricts the student use of personal internet-enabled devices, such as smartphones and smart watches, during the school day across all grade levels. This initiative is designed to foster a more engaged atmosphere truly conducive to academic growth.

What does this include?

Following the Governor’s regulation, IRCSD’s police states that students are now prohibited from using internet-enabled devices from the moment they arrive on school grounds until regular dismissal, covering all instructional time as well as non-instructional periods like lunch and study halls. This aligns with a statewide commitment to create distraction-free learning environments and enhance student mental well-being, allowing greater focus on teaching and learning. “Internet-enabled devices” are defined to include smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, or any device capable of accessing Internet content (including social media). The definition excludes non-internet-capable devices and school-issued devices (e.g. Chromebooks) used for educational purposes.

What does this mean for IRCSD? 

At Indian River, our policy requires devices to be silenced and securely stored in hallway lockers (for secondary students) or cubbies (for elementary students) throughout the day, ensuring students can fully immerse themselves in their educational journey. With the help of parents, staff, and students, IRCSD will make this transition successfully. Building-specific procedures that outline practical application and address specific needs are now in their final stages of development and will be shared via building-based communication. We believe this move will foster a more engaged and conducive atmosphere for academic growth across all our schools.

Are there exceptions? 

Parents may request an exception for their children to use internet-enabled devices during the school day as listed below. Requests must be made annually to the Building Principal, and for healthcare exceptions, must include documentation from an appropriate healthcare professional. Applicable school staff will assist with the review and determination for any request. Exceptions may include:

  • Educational Use: If authorized by a Principal or the District for a specific educational purpose.
  • Health & Safety: Where necessary for managing a student’s healthcare (as verified by school medical staff).
  • Language Needs: When needed by a student for translation services (with permission of the Building Principal).
  • Student Caregivers: On a case-by-case basis for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member. Such use will be permitted only upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor.
  • 504/IEP Plans: Nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit or otherwise limit a student’s use of an internet-enable device where such use is included in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.

Can I still contact my student? 

Yes, if contact is needed in the short term, the District shall provide multiple methods for parents or persons in parental relation to contact the student during the school day. The contact methods provided will include, but not be limited to: a dedicated phone line in the main office or counselors’ office, a dedicated email, or a parent-student messaging system (in development with ParentSquare). Principals will be notifying parents of various ways parents can contact their children in case of an emergency, and also the procedure for students to contact their parents if necessary during the school day.

The district also continues to focus on maximizing instructional time through practices such as:

  • Minimizing disruptions and inefficiencies: Ensuring lessons flow smoothly, school-based distractions are at a minimum, and engagement “in the moment” is at a maximum.
  • Structured learning environments: Creating and maintaining an atmosphere conducive to learning, collaboration, creativity, and overall growth through high-quality, rigorous, and relevant instructional practices.
  • Professional Development: Supporting teachers and all staff through ongoing professional learning to enhance skills and stay current with best practices.
  • Curriculum Development: Designing common units of study tied to NY Learning Standards to focus on deepening student understanding and transfer of learning.

We look forward to continuing to engage with our students and school community over the coming months to support a successful implementation of this learning-focused shift.

Cell Phone and Personal Electronics Open Discussion
Cell Phone and Personal Electronics Open Discussion
What Families Should Know:
  • Device Use Not Allowed During School Hours: Students may not use personal internet-enabled devices at any time during the school day, including lunch, recess, hallways, and study periods.
  • School-Issued Technology is Still Permitted: Devices such as Chromebooks or tablets provided by the district for learning purposes are still allowed.
How Will This Policy Be Implemented?
  • Students in Grades PK-5: Devices must be turned off and left within their backpacks, which must be stored in the student’s designated cubby. Unless explicitly authorized by school staff, students may not be in possession of or access their internet-enabled devices at any time during the school day.
  • Students in Grades 6-12: Devices must be turned off and stored in the student’s designated locker. Unless explicitly authorized by school staff, students may not be in possession of or access their internet-enabled devices at any time during the school day.
Legal Exceptions

Parents may request an exception for their children to use internet-enabled devices during the school day as listed below. Requests must be made annually to the Building Principal, and for healthcare exceptions, must include documentation from an appropriate healthcare professional. Applicable school staff will assist with the review and determination for any request. Exceptions may include:

  • Educational Use: If authorized by a Principal or the District for a specific educational purpose.
  • Health & Safety: Where necessary for managing a student’s healthcare (as verified by school medical staff).
  • Language Needs: When needed by a student for translation services (with permission of the Building Principal).
  • Student Caregivers: On a case-by-case basis for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member. Such use will be permitted only upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor.
  • 504/IEP Plans: Nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit or otherwise limit a student’s use of an internet-enable device where such use is included in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.
About NYS Education Law Section 2803

Governor Hochul’s cellphone policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:

  • No unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods.
  • Allows schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students.
  • Secures $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free.
  • Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary.
  • Requires teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy.
  • Prevents inequitable discipline.

Governor Hochul’s policy clarifies that students would still be authorized to have access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.

Additionally, the Governor’s policy includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), for academic purposes, or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.