The statewide ban on smartphones during the school day is going well in the Jamestown Public Schools district. Jamestown School Board ex-officio student member Hayden Langford said there were some initial delays the first day of school at the high … [Read more...]
[LISTEN] Community Matters – Distraction Free Learning Policy High School Presentation – August 28, 2025
Jamestown High School Principal Allyson Smith presented to the Jamestown School Board on August 26, 2025 how the state ban on internet enabled devices in the school will be handled. … [Read more...]
JHS Students Will Begin To Use Pouches To Hold Smartphones During The School Day Starting Next Week
Jamestown School Board members got a better look at the pouches Jamestown High School students will use starting next week to to store their internet-enabled devices in during the school day. The introduction of the Yondr pouches are part of the … [Read more...]
NYS Launches Website Of Schools’ Plans For Distraction Free Learning
New York State has launched a new website to enable parents and students to look up their school’s plan for distraction free learning this Fall. The website, ny.gov/phonefree, allows New Yorkers to search by district or school name among more than … [Read more...]
School Districts Must Finalize Policies To Restrict Smartphone Use By August 1
School districts across New York State are finalizing their policies to restrict smartphone use in schools before August 1. The Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 … [Read more...]
$254 Billion NYS Budget Passed
The New York state budget has finally passed. State lawmakers wrapped up voting on the $254 billion state spending plan late Thursday night. In a series of nine bills, the state legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul agreed on a wide-ranging … [Read more...]
NYS Lawmakers Come To Agreement On State Budget
New York State lawmakers have come to an agreement on a $254 billion State Budget. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the deal Monday night. The budget includes a proposal to ban cellphones in public schools and a middle-class tax cut. Hochul … [Read more...]
Gov. Hochul Garners Support For ‘Bell To Bell’ Phone Ban In Schools
Governor Kathy Hochul says she has the support of roughly 80,000 parents, students and educators who are endorsing her proposed "bell-to-bell" phone ban. The measure is included in her state budget plan and is designed to reduce distractions in … [Read more...]
Gov. Hochul Calls For Smartphones To Be Restricted In Schools Statewide
Governor Kathy Hochul is calling for smartphone use to be restricted in schools statewide. The launch of this new effort follows the introduction of this legislative proposal as part of Hochul’s 2026 Executive Budget Proposal. Hochul also … [Read more...]
Gov. Hochul Exploring Possible Cell Phone Ban in Classrooms
Governor Kathy Hochul has kicked off a statewide listening tour focused on addressing smartphone use in schools. This listening tour will include roundtable discussions with key stakeholders over the coming months. The Governor has emphasized the … [Read more...]
