Student Cell Phone Use
Following an initial pilot rollout in our middle school and high school summer programs, the City School District of Albany will join all districts across New York in implementing new cell phone procedures for all students in September.
Students will not have access to their personal cell phones and all other electronic devices throughout the entire school day.
Students in grades 6-12 will be required to store their personal devices in a pouch they lock at the beginning of the school day and unlock at the end of the school day. They can either put the pouch in their lockers or carry it with them, but personal phones/devices cannot be accessed during the school day (except for very limited exceptions).
Students in prekindergarten-grade 5 will also be required to turn off and put away their personal devices for the full school day. Each elementary school will have procedures designed for its individual community, but, generally, the devices may be kept in a bookbag or in a designated area at school and not accessible for the entirety of the school day.
The district began investigating these important changes in 2024 and now is joining all districts statewide in implementing new procedures following Governor Kathy Hochul’s directive in the spring.
Our pilot rollout at the secondary level for summer school is designed to begin to acclimate everyone in our school community to these changes, and to allow our staff to evaluate and, if necessary, update our plans prior to the start of the new school year.
FAQs
Why the change?
The statewide move comes amid mounting research showing that excessive cell phone use and exposure to social media are obstacles to learning that lead to poorer academic performance and higher levels of anxiety and depression.
Since 2020, some 77% of schools around the country have moved to ban cell phones for non-academic purposes. Closer to home, the Bethlehem, Troy, Newburgh and Schoharie school districts all have implemented bell-to-bell cell phone restrictions.
Anecdotal evidence from these places indicates dramatic improvements in school climate and student safety, wellness, behavior, engagement and academic performance.
Until now, the district’s policies and practices discouraged the use of cell phones in school; the zero-tolerance policy in our Code of Conduct has been difficult to enforce.
The change also is in concert with a new state law that requires a “bell-to-bell ban” on student use of smart devices in schools that starts with the 2025-26 school year. The City School of Albany has broadened the definition to include personal electronic devices.
What’s a personal electronic device?
These are non-district provided or owned cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, Chromebooks, wireless earbuds, headphones or other similar devices.
How will students store their personal electronic devices?
Students at Albany High School, Albany International Academy, North Albany Middle School, Steven and Harriet Myers Middle School and William S. Hackett Middle School will receive a secure pouch in which to lock their personal devices when they arrive at school.
All devices will be powered off and put into the pouch. Students will maintain their own pouch for the day and then have it unlocked at the end of the school day prior to exiting the building.
Elementary school students will be required to turn off their phones and put them away during the school day. Each elementary school will determine how and where the phones will be stored.
What is the procedure for students to be able to unlock their cell phone pouch by themselves in the event of an emergency?
Administrators, nurses and security staff will have hand-held unlocking devices that will enable students to unlock their pouches if there is a reason to do so outside of the normal operating procedures.
What if a parent or guardian needs to reach their child during the school day?
Parents and guardians can call the main office at their child’s school – or, in the case of Albany High, their academy office – and staff will relay a message. Students will have access to their electronic devices at the end of the school day.
How does a student get their phone container unlocked if they need to leave school before regular dismissal time?
Students will need to obtain an early dismissal pass from their school or academy office. Upon dismissal, a staff member will unlock the pouch as the student exits the building.
What happens if there’s an emergency at school?
Every classroom is equipped with phones that can dial 911. Our staff members are trained to carry out emergency procedures and direct students to follow those procedures. Schools will continue to keep parents and guardians updated and informed through the district’s mass notification tools and social media.
Will you make accommodation for students with documented medical conditions?
Students who need an internet enabled personal electronic device to monitor their medical condition may request an exemption for an alternative type of pouch that can be opened immediately. The exemption request process begins with the building principal and medical documentation may be required.
What if my child needs to contact me during the day?
Each school will identify areas where students can go to either have access to their phone or use a district phone to contact parents.
Will my student’s phone be safe?
Yes. Students can hold on to their phones in the locked pouch. We encourage them to store their phone and pouch in their locker.
Can students use their school Google accounts to send and receive email from outside?
No. The district does not permit students to use their school accounts and their school-issued Chromebooks to email each other. This practice helps prevent cyberbullying and other inappropriate messages. Students also can’t send or receive emails to or from people outside the school district. These rules are in place to help keep students safe from cyberbullying, online scams and dangerous situations.
Besides protecting students, these practices minimize the possibility of cyberattacks and threats to the school district’s complex data network, which includes confidential student and employee information.
What are the consequences for students who don’t comply with the new restrictions?
This is a big change for everyone. Each school will work with families to ensure compliance. Students who do not follow protocol at the entry of the school will have their parent/guardian called and may not enter school with their personal devices. If a device is stored with administration, the student will have to go and retrieve their device and may have to wait in line for their item(s). This will be an inconvenience, and could be avoided by complying with the general expectations.
What happens if a student who was assigned a pouch forgets it the following day of school?
Students will have to label and turn in their electronic devices to the determined collection point. They will be secured by the school during the day and then the student will obtain their devices at the end of the day and may experience a delay while others are also being assisted.
If a student forgets to unlock the storage container before leaving the building, is there a way to get it unlocked?
If the student forgets to unlock their pouch, they may return to the school building until 4 p.m. to have it unlocked.
If the storage container is damaged/stolen/lost, who is responsible for replacement?
Students will ultimately be responsible for the care of their container. If a student intentionally damages the pouch they may face disciplinary consequences for damaged pouches. Students may have a lost pouch replaced once during the school year.
How will faculty and staff model positive cell phone practices for students?
Adults will be encouraged to avoid using their cell phones when instructing students during the school day.
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