Schodack Central School District Families,
I hope this message finds you well. As we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, I would like to remind everyone about an important update regarding the use of personal electronic devices in our schools. Specifically, it is now a New York State law that all schools must restrict student cell phone and personal electronic device use during the school day.
Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Policy
Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, all students will be prohibited from using personal electronic devices—such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches—during the school day. This includes all classes, homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and between classes in the halls. Personal devices must be stored away and silenced from the start of the first period until the end of the school day.
Grades 7-12 Device Distribution and Storage
To support this initiative and ensure compliance with students in grades 7-12, we will be using Yondr pouches—secure, locking pouches designed to hold and disable access to student devices. Once locked, these pouches will be placed in students’ backpacks and must remain sealed until the end of the school day. Each pouch will be assigned to students using a numbered system to ensure accountability.
Upon arrival each day, students will be required to place their devices in their Yondr pouches as they enter the building. At the end of the day, unlocking stations will be available at the main entrance, allowing students to unlock their pouches as they exit the building. Appropriate personnel will be present to assist students and ensure compliance with the policy at both arrival and dismissal.
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Grades 7-8: Students will receive their pouches at the Ice Cream Social event on August 27th.
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Grades 9-12: Pouches will be distributed during grade-level meetings on the first day of classes (Thursday, September 4).
Please note that students attending field trips or traveling to CTE campuses will not be required to lock their phones during these times.
Grades K-6 Device Storage
For students in grades K-6, we strongly discourage bringing personal electronic devices to school. If K-6 students do bring devices to school, they must be silenced and stored in a designated cell phone locker within their homeroom. Again, we encourage families to leave devices at home whenever possible to avoid any distractions during the school day.
Emergency Protocols and Safety Considerations
We understand the importance of ensuring that families can reach students in case of emergencies. However, it is crucial that during an emergency, students are fully focused on the directions provided by staff and emergency responders. Therefore, parents are asked to contact the Main Office directly in the event of an emergency, rather than attempting to contact students via their personal devices.
Our school staff is trained in emergency response protocols, and our building’s comprehensive safety plan is developed in coordination with local law enforcement and emergency services to ensure student safety at all times.
Accessing the Full Policy
For more information, the full text of Schodack CSD Policy #5695 is available on our district’s Policy & Plans Notification Page here (see Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices) or through our complete policy manual on BoardDocs at this link: Schodack CSD BoardDocs.
What’s Next?
This new policy will go into effect on the first day of school (Thursday, September 4). We understand this may raise questions or concerns, and we are committed to partnering with you to ensure a smooth transition. You will receive more detailed information for each building from the principals before the start of school. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the new policy or how it will be implemented, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s principal.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to provide the best possible learning environment for our students.
Enjoy the rest of summer,
Jason Chevrier
Superintendent of Schools
