Batavia City School District

This policy is required by New York State law and was adopted as part of the 2025–26 state budget. It applies to all public school districts and prohibits student use of internet-enabled devices during the entire school day. The goal is to reduce distractions, improve focus, support mental health, and foster stronger academic and social outcomes for students.

The policy applies to devices that can connect to the internet, access apps, or send and receive messages. This includes:

• Smartphones
• Smartwatches
• Tablets or iPads
• Any other internet-capable personal device

District-issued Chromebooks used for instructional purposes are not included in this restriction.
 

• Middle and High School students will turn in their internet-enabled devices when they arrive at school.
  
  Each device will be placed into a pouch labeled with the student’s name and stored securely in a locked system for the duration of the day. Devices will be returned at dismissal.
   
• Elementary students (Pre School - 6th grade) are not currently subject to the same procedures but are expected to keep any personal devices off and out of sight. The district is monitoring use at this level and may implement additional measures if needed.

Yes. All classrooms are equipped with district-managed instructional tools, including Chromebooks. These devices are monitored and used strictly for academic purposes.
 

BCSD plans to update the Code of Conduct later this summer to prohibit all personal communication devices during the school day, regardless of internet capability. We will notify families once this update is adopted.

You may:

• Call the school’s main office
• Send an email to the school’s designated contact address
• Drop off a written message
• Send a message through ParentSquare, the district’s official communication platform

In an emergency, school staff can deliver a message directly or call your child to the office. Please do not text your child during the school day, as they will not have access to their device.
 

Yes. We will continue to use ParentSquare to send important updates, emergency alerts, and school communications. Families should make sure their contact information is up to date in ParentSquare to receive notifications without interruption.

Students who require access to a personal device due to a medical need, such as managing diabetes or tracking symptoms, may be eligible for an exception. Please contact your building principal or school nurse to begin the documentation process. Devices approved through an IEP or 504 Plan will continue to be permitted as required by law.

BCSD uses a progressive discipline model. A student who violates the policy may face:

• A warning and device confiscation
• Parent pickup of the device
• Detention
• Further consequences as outlined in the Code of Conduct

Students will not be suspended solely for violating the cell phone policy.
 

Staff will remind students of the procedure and provide an opportunity to turn in devices as soon as possible. Repeated failure to follow the morning drop-off procedure will be addressed through the school’s discipline process.

Yes. The policy applies during the school day on school grounds. Students may use personal devices before entering school in the morning and after they are dismissed, including on the bus. However, misuse of devices on the bus may still be addressed under the Code of Conduct.

Yes. Students will have access to their personal devices after the school day ends. If your child needs to check in with you before an after-school activity, they’ll be able to do so at that time.

Staff are permitted to use devices as needed for professional or emergency purposes. However, we expect our staff to model respectful device use and support the same focused learning environment we expect of students.

Yes. Devices will be returned to students at the end of the school day before any after-school clubs, sports, or events begin.

Our staff are trained in emergency communication procedures. In a serious event, school personnel will use district systems to notify families and emergency responders.

We are using a secure, staff-supervised storage system for Middle and High School students. Devices will be placed in individually labeled pouches and locked in a designated area throughout the school day.

You can read the full Board Policy 7316 on the Batavia City School District website below, or request a printed copy from your school’s main office.