Distraction Free Schools

On May 6th, 2025, NYS Governor Kathy Hocul announced that New York would require statewide, bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in K-12 Schools. You can read more about the announcement and examine the text of the law below.

Distraction-Free Schools: Governor Hochul Announces New York to Become Largest State in the Nation With Statewide, Bell-to-Bell Restrictions on Smartphones in Schools

Text of EdLaw Title 2, Article 55, Section 2803 - Use of Internet Enabled Devices

The Governor's "More Learning, Less Scrolling" report report includes findings related to cell phone impact on student learning, anxiety, mental health and safety. Research consistently shows that restricting cell phone use during school hours leads to significant improvements in both academic performance and student behavior. By minimizing distractions, the district hopes to help students focus more effectively on their studies and engage more deeply in classroom activities. Additionally, reducing screen time during the school day supports better mental health and overall well-being.

Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day

North Tonawanda’s Board of Education will revise policy #7316 – Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day. This policy goes into effect on September 1st, 2025 and is required by NYS EdLaw Title 2, Article 55, Section 2803. For the text of the policy, please click below:

Distraction Free Schools Implementation Plan

For specific topics located in the Implementation Plan, please see the list below:

Device Storage

All students are encouraged to leave their devices at home.

Intermediate, Middle, and High School devices must be turned off and stored in their locked personal locker during the entire school day.
Elementary (K-3) devices must be turned off and stored in students’ backpacks from the time they enter the building at the start of the school day until they exit the building at the end of the school day. At the elementary level, it is strongly recommended that internet-enabled devices be left at home.

Policy Exceptions

Students may be authorized to use an Internet-enabled device during the school day on school grounds for the following purposes:

If authorized by a teacher, principal, or the District for a specific educational purpose;
Where necessary for the management of a student's health care; as required for tracking health conditions or for medical purposes as per Individual Health Care Plan (e.g., Diabetes monitoring);
In the event of an emergency - In a designated area with teacher/administrator permission during a family emergency. During a school-wide emergency, there is no outside communication by students, as this would jeopardize the safety of staff and/or students by impeding communication among first responders and disrupting law enforcement activities;
For translation services - as necessary for English Language Learners using school-issued devices (e.g., iPads);
For student caregivers responsible for the care and well-being of a family member;
Where required by law - if the use of the device is mandated by law;
Where the use is included in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.

Enforcement and Consequences

The District is prohibited from suspending a student solely for accessing internet-enabled devices in violation of this policy. However, repeated violations may be considered insubordination. The formal progressive discipline procedures are as follows:

High School:

First offense:
- Disciplinary referral
- Phone call home
- 1 Lunch detention
- Student escorted to locker for cellphone storage
Second offense:
- Cellphone will be placed in the main office cellphone lockbox for the remainder of the school day
- Phone call home with administration and school counselor
- 1 after-school detention
Third offense:
- Administrative insubordination consequence as per the NTHS Code of Conduct for refusal to comply
- Phone call home
- Cellphone will be kept in the main office cell phone lockbox based on behavioral consequence(s)
Refusal to Comply: This is considered insubordination and will be handled consistent with the Code of Conduct.

Middle School:

First offense:
- Conference with the building administrator/teacher and a verbal warning to return the device to the locker.
Second offense:
- Cellphone will be placed in the main office cellphone lockbox for the remainder of the school day with student pick up at the end of the day
- Phone call home
Third offense:
- Cellphone will be placed in the main office cellphone lockbox daily for a week with parent pick up at the end of the day
- Student will engage in a restorative activity (e.g., write/present about the importance of following directions)
- Parent meeting held to develop a plan
Fourth offense:
- Cellphone is placed in the main office cellphone lockbox daily for the remainder of the school year
Refusal to Comply: This is considered insubordination and will be handled consistent with the Code of Conduct.

K-6:

First offense:
- Conference with the building administrator/teacher and a verbal warning to return device to locker (NTI) or backpack/storage area (K-3).
- Phone call home
Second offense:
- Cellphone will be placed in the main office and will be returned to the parent/guardian or the student upon parent/guardian request at the end of the school day.
- Phone call home
Third offense:
- Cellphone will be placed in the main office and will be returned only to the parent/guardian.
- Phone call home
- Student will engage in a restorative activity (e.g., write/present about the importance of following directions)
Refusal to Comply: This is considered insubordination and will be handled consistent with the Code of Conduct.

Methods for Parents to Contact Students During the School Day

Parents/Guardians may call the school's main office, and the office staff will relay messages to the student or call down the student to the office to speak with their parent/guardian.
- Drake Elementary: (716) 807-3725
- Ohio Elementary: (716) 807-3800
- Spruce Elementary: (716) 807-3850
- NT Intermediate: (716) 807-3825
- NT Middle School: (716) 807-3700
- NT High School: (716) 807-3600
Students may use the school phone in the main office or in the classroom (with teacher permission) to call a parent/guardian.
The school district will notify parents/guardians in writing of the communication protocol at the beginning of each school year and upon enrollment.

Student & Staff Training

Students

Students will receive training on the policy and associated consequences through classroom lessons and/or assemblies.

Families

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

Educators

Staff will receive training during professional development days about the policy, enforcement, and consequences, and how to model positive behavior with personal electronic devices during instructional time.

Family Communication of Policy

Visit our North Tonawanda City School District website for all information related to this policy.
Once adopted by the Board of Education, Policy #7316 will be available online in the Board Docs policy manual.
Translations of the policy into the 12 most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient individuals in the state will be provided upon request by a student or other persons in parental relation to a student.
All families, staff, and students will receive information about the policy prior to the start of the 2025-26 school year. Communication channels may include email, student handbooks, school newsletters, the District website, back-to-school packets, and grade-level orientations.
Upon enrollment and at the beginning of each school year, parents/guardians will be notified in writing of the methods that are available for contacting their student during school hours.
A Distraction Free Schools Implementation Plan will be included with Central Registration packets for new families.

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