Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Ban Letter

June 17, 2025

Dear Fabius-Pompey Families and Staff:

As you may be aware, Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature have enacted a new law that bans personal smartphones and other internet-enabled devices in schools from the start of the school day to the end of the school day. This law will go into effect on September 1, 2025.

Under this law, internet-enabled devices include any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or other device capable of connecting to the internet and allowing access to online content, including social media. This ban does not apply to school-issued devices.

The law provides certain exceptions. Students may have access to personal devices:

• for documented medical reasons,
• when specified as a support in an IEP or 504 Plan,
• or when permitted by a teacher for instructional purposes.

This new requirement applies to all public schools, charter schools, and BOCES programs across New York State.

The Fabius-Pompey Central School District, in collaboration with our policy committee, is currently developing a Board of Education policy to comply with this law. As part of that effort, we are seeking input from parents, students, staff, and community members.

Please take a few moments to complete our stakeholder survey by clicking on the link,  Cell Phone Survey.  Please complete the survey by June 27, 2025.

Your feedback is essential and will help us create a policy that meets the needs of our school community while ensuring a smooth implementation of the new requirement.

If you would prefer to share your input directly, please feel free to contact my office at 315-683-5301.

Beginning in September 2025, if you need to contact your child during the school day, please call the main office of their school:

• Fabius-Pompey Elementary School: 315-683-5857
• Fabius-Pompey Middle-High School: 315-683-5811

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Sincerely,
Lloyd L. Peck, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
jpeck@fabiuspompey.org