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West Babylon UFSD

Soar Like An Eagle

Parent Letter Bell to Bell

Parent Letter Bell to Bell

August 2026

Dear West Babylon Families and Colleagues,

I hope you are enjoying these summer days with your loved ones. Thank you for taking the time to complete our recent survey and share your feedback regarding Education Law 2803, which addresses the use of personal internet-enabled devices in schools across New York State.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, this new law—recently approved by Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature—prohibits student use of personal internet-enabled devices, such as smartphones and smartwatches, during the school day. This includes all instructional and non-instructional times such as homeroom, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time between classes.

While this change will affect how students engage with personal technology during the day, we believe it will also help reduce distractions and increase in-person interactions among students.

We understand how important it is for families to stay connected during the school day. In preparation for this new law, we are proactively implementing supports to ensure communication remains clear, accessible, and safe:

  • Student phone access: Each school will have designated phone lines for students to contact a parent/guardian when necessary during the school day.

  • Family-to-school communication: Families may continue to call the school's main office to deliver urgent messages to their child.

  • Email communication: We are exploring a feature that would allow secondary students to email their parent/guardian (using school-issued email accounts linked to the contact information in eSchool). If this becomes available, we will notify families with a follow-up communication.

Policy 5695: Students and Personal Electronic Devices

At the Board of Education meeting, Policy 5695: Students and Personal Electronic Devices was formally adopted to support this new law. This policy is attached and will also be shared via our website, email, summer mailings, school announcements, student meetings, and Back-to-School Night presentations. Please take time to review the policy with your child(ren).

Key takeaways from Policy 5695 include:

  • Legal Prohibition: Education Law 2803 prohibits student use of internet-enabled personal devices during the school day beginning in 2025-2026.

  • Device Storage:

    • Students are encouraged to leave such devices at home.

    • Grades K–5: Students who bring a device must store it in their backpacks in designated classroom areas.

    • Grades 6–12: Students must store devices in their lockers during the school day.

  • Policy Violations: Devices will be confiscated and held in the main office for student and/or parent pick-up, as outlined in the policy.

  • School-Issued Devices: School-issued devices (such as Chromebooks) will continue to be used for instructional purposes.

  • Exceptions: Exceptions will be made for students with documented needs as outlined in an IEP or 504 Plan.

  • Adoption & Enforcement: BOE Policy 5695 was adopted on July 29, 2025. Staff and faculty members are responsible for the enforcement of this new law.

To ensure you receive all future school communications, please verify that your contact information is up to date in the eSchool Parent Portal.

We remain committed to creating a safe, focused, and connected learning environment for all students. Throughout the school year, we will be offering parent workshops on understanding and managing problematic screen use in children.

 

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we move through this important transition together.

Warm regards,

Dr. Yiendhy Farrelly, Superintendent of Schools