Important Update: NYC DOE Student Phone Policy

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We hope you are enjoying the final days of summer. As we prepare for a successful new school year, we want to inform you about the New York City Department of Education’s updated Student Phone Policy, which aligns with Chancellor’s Regulation A-413 and guidance from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) regarding the use of electronic devices in schools.

Purpose and Benefits:

This policy is designed to support student focus, reduce distractions in the classroom, and promote a safe and respectful learning environment. By limiting phone use during school hours, we aim to help students stay engaged in learning and build healthier relationships with technology.

Yondr Pouches:

To implement this policy, we will be using Yondr pouches—secure, lockable cases where students will place their phones at the beginning of the school day. Students will keep the pouch with them throughout the day but will not be able to access their devices until they are unlocked at dismissal.

Staying in Touch:

We understand how important it is for parents to stay connected with their children. If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call the main office at (929) 487-1910 at any time.

Student Training:

All students will receive training on the phone policy and proper use of the Yondr pouches during the first full week of school to ensure a smooth and effective rollout.

Parent Webinar:

We will host a Parent Webinar shortly after the student training to walk families through the policy, address questions, and offer ways to support students at home. Dates and times will be announced soon.

More Information Coming:

A detailed letter outlining the full policy will be shared with all families in the coming days.

We thank you for your support as we work together to create a focused, respectful, and distraction-free learning environment for all students.