At the start of the 2025-26 school year, in accordance with state law, Salem CSD will introduce a policy restricting the use of mobile devices that is designed to support the safety and mental health of students and minimize school day disruptions. Districts that have limited mobile device use have experienced improvements in student learning and academic performance, a sharp decline in bullying and cyberbullying, better school attendance, and improved student mental health.
As required in the state law, our students will not be permitted to use mobile devices during the school day, with some specific exceptions for medical or IEP reasons.
What to Expect
Grades K-6: No change. All electronic devices should be powered off and stored in backpacks in student cubbies or lockers.
Grades 7-12: Students will receive a Yondr pouch on the first day of school to securely store their powered-off devices (phones, earbuds, smartwatches) during the school day. Devices must be locked in the pouch when students enter the building or sign in late at the office and will remain secured until dismissal. Exceptions for medical or IEP reasons must be arranged with the main office before the first day.
Students may carry the pouch or store it in their locker; they will not be permitted to carry bags or backpacks during the school day. Random checks will ensure compliance.
In emergencies, staff will have portable unlocking devices. To contact students during the day, parents or guardians should call the the main office. A student phone is also available there. The full policy is available on our website
Question & Answer
Why is the district adopting a policy to restrict cell phone use in school buildings?
On May 6th, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York will require statewide, bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in K-12 schools. This is part of the agreement on the FY 2026 State Budget. Following this agreement and enactment of the FY 2026 State Budget, New York State’s distraction-free schools policy will take effect this fall for the 2025-2026 school year.
Reducing screen time positively impacts students’ mental health and well-being. Research clearly links declines in teen mental health to time spent on social media. Devices are designed to be addictive. With this policy in place, students will benefit from being in an environment where no one is on a device, allowing them to build social skills and engage in personal interactions that benefit their mental health.
Phones disrupt learning. Many discipline incidents during the school day are directly linked to social media and cell phones. This policy removes these distractions from learning and addresses a cause of negative behavior.
Is Salem CSD the only district adopting this policy?
No. New York State’s distraction-free schools policy will take effect this fall for the 2025-2026 school year. Districts across the country and in our local area have already successfully implemented these policies. All of them report positive outcomes in student learning, well-being, and a reduction in behavior issues.
What should I do if I need to contact my child in an emergency, or they need to contact me?
In the case of a family emergency, you can contact the Jr./Sr. High School Office. Staff will assist in dismissing your student or getting a message to them in a supportive environment (with a counselor). You can simply call the Jr./Sr. High School Office, and they will call to your student’s location and have them sent down to the Jr./Sr. High School Office to be dismissed. In the case of an incident that could negatively impact a student, they will be paired with a counselor so they can speak with you by phone with the support of mental health professionals to help students process any traumatic information.
Jr./Sr. High School Main Office: 518-854-7600
Elementary School Main Office: 518-854-9505
If your student has an emergency at school, you will be contacted directly (whether a health emergency, where contact comes from the Nurse’s Office, or a mental health emergency, when you would be contacted by a counselor).
In the case of an emergency at school, every classroom has a phone, and any staff or student can dial 911 from these phones. Law enforcement recommends this method, as many students calling 911 from their cell phones overwhelms the 911 call center and slows response time.
What if I need to speak with my child about a non-emergency issue?
You are able to call the Jr./Sr. High School Main Office and they can either pass a message on to your student or call them out of class to speak to you directly.
What does the policy require?
When students arrive at school, all mobile devices, except their district-issued Chromebook, must be turned off and locked in a Yondr pouch. This includes cell phones, smart watches, AirPods, earbuds, or wireless headphones. These devices must remain in the locked Yondr pouch until the end of the school day at 2:27 p.m.
At 2:27 p.m., unlocking stations will be mounted near the exits so students can unlock their devices as they leave or head to after-school activities.
What if my student forgets to unlock their device?
Students can return to school and use the unlocking device in the Jr./Sr. High School Main Office at any time during office hours.
What if my student forgets to unlock their device?
Students can return to school and use the unlocking device in the Jr./Sr. High School Main Office at any time during office hours.
What if my students goes to an external program or is dismissed early?
There is a Yondr station in the Jr./Sr. High School Main Office. If a student is dismissed early, they will be able to unlock their devices before leaving. Students leaving for BOCES will lock their devices in a Yondr pouch when they arrive at the BOCES building.
Will my student be able to listen to music?
When appropriate, students will be able to listen to music using their Chromebook and headphones issued by the school. Wireless headphones or earbuds are required to be kept in their Yondr pouch or in the Jr./Sr. High School Main Office.
What if a student does not put a device in their Yondr pouch or has a second phone?
If any mobile device is seen outside of a locked Yondr pouch during the school day (from building entry until 2:27 p.m.), the student will be required to hand over the mobile device to a staff member. The device will be kept in the Jr./Sr. High School Main Office and returned to the student at the end of the school day.
If there is a second incident of any device seen outside of a locked Yondr pouch during the school day, the device will be kept in the Jr./Sr. High School Main Office until a parent or guardian comes to school to retrieve the device.
If there is a third incident of any device seen outside of a locked Yondr pouch during the school day, the student will be required to check into the Jr./Sr. High School Main Office upon arrival at school with a follow-up parent meeting to discuss concerns.
Failure to comply with this district policy may result in additional behavior consequences as noted in the Student Handbook.
What if my student needs to contact me about a non-emergency issue?
There are still ways for students to contact you while at school. They can visit the Jr./Sr. High School Main Office to call you (using the contact information we have on file), or if there is sensitive information they need to speak with you about, they can go to a counselor to phone you privately.
What if my child needs their phone for medical reasons?
The district has an application process for a medical exemption - this is granted in cases where access to the device is medically necessary. This must be requested by a physician identifying a treatment plan that indicates a genuine medical need.