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Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District

Every Student Every Day

Distraction-Free School Day

New Student Device Policy: What Families Need to Know

In accordance with New York State Education Law §2803 and the statewide initiative to create distraction-free school environments, our district has adopted HF-L Policy 7316, which goes into effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

To align with this mandate, and to help minimize distractions and support student well-being, our district is implementing a new policy on personal internet-enabled devices — including smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets.

What’s Changing?

Students will not be allowed to use personal internet-enabled devices during the school day — this includes phones, smartwatches, and tablets. This applies during both class time and non-instructional periods like lunch, recess, study hall, and passing time.

All personal devices must be turned off and stored in a locker, cubby, or backpack throughout the school day.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Yes. A student may be allowed to use a device:

  • For a specific educational purpose approved by a teacher or administrator
  • For medical reasons, with documentation from a licensed provider 
  • In an emergency
  • To support language translation
  • As part of an IEP or 504 Plan
  • On a case-by-case basis for caregiving responsibilities (with documentation)
  • Requests for exceptions should be submitted to the Director of Pupil Personnel Services (PPS). Families will be notified of decisions, and staff will be informed of approved exceptions.

Need to Reach Your Child During the Day?

To ensure communication while minimizing disruptions, families can:

  • Call the main office
  • Drop off a note
  • Message your child’s teacher through ParentSquare
  • Email your child (grades 7–12 only) using their school- issued email

We appreciate your support as we work to create a focused and healthy school environment. If you have questions, please reach out to your child’s principal or the PPS Office.

HF-L Policy 7316 – Full Text

SUBJECT: USE OF INTERNET-ENABLED DEVICES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
2025 Policy 7316
Students

We understand that cell phones and other internet-enabled devices are a part of everyday life. However, to support a focused and respectful learning environment, the use of these devices during school hours is restricted according to the Key Provisions of Education Law § 2803 that prohibit the use of Internet-enabled devices by students during the school day on school grounds. This policy aims to ensure that students remain focused on their academic responsibilities throughout the school day, which includes all instructional and non-instructional periods such as homeroom, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time.

For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:

  1. "Internet-enabled devices" means and includes any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or other device capable of connecting to the Internet and enabling the user to access content on the Internet, including social media applications; 

    "Internet-enabled devices" does not include:

    1. Non-Internet-enabled devices such as cellular phones or other communication devices not capable of connecting to the Internet or enabling the user to access content on the Internet; or 
    2. Internet-enabled devices supplied by the District or Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) that are used for an educational purpose.
  1. "School day" means the entirety of every instructional day as required by subdivision 7 of the Education Law Section 3604 during all instructional time and non-instructional time, including but not limited to homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time.

  2. "School grounds" means in or on or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the real property boundary line of a district elementary, intermediate, junior high, vocational, or high school, a charter school, or a BOCES facility.

    • Students are generally prohibited from using Internet-enabled devices during the school day anywhere on school grounds.

However, students may be authorized to use an Internet-enabled device during the school day on school grounds:

  1. If authorized by a teacher, principal, or the District for a specific educational purpose;
  2. Where necessary for the management of a student's health care;
  3. In the event of an emergency;
  4. For translation services;
  5. On a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member; or
  6. Where required by law.

Students must be permitted to use an Internet-enabled device where the use is included in the student's:

  1. Individualized Education Program (IEP); or
  2. Section 504 Plan.

Use of Internet-Enabled devices included in an Individualized Education Program (IEP), or 504 Plan should be used in accordance with established locations by the school.

  • To ensure consistency and fairness in the application of exceptions:

    1. All requests for student use of personal electronic devices during the school day must be supported by documentation from a licensed outside medical provider or therapist.
    2. The documentation must:
      • Clearly state the specific device required.
      • Provide a clinical justification for its use during the school day.
    3. The district will provide a standardized form to assist families and providers in submitting this documentation.

    Review and Approval Process:

    • The Director of Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) will review all submitted documentation. 
    • Approved exceptions will be documented and stored in the PPS Office. 
    • A scanned copy of the provider’s letter and the completed form must be submitted to the PPS Director and administrative assistant for recordkeeping.

    Communication and Oversight:

    • Staff are asked to notify the PPS Office prior to approving any student use of a personal device.

  • On-Site Storage of Internet-Enabled Devices Including Cell Phones

    Students are required to turn off and store their Internet-enabled devices in designated on-site storage areas during the school day. On-site storage options may vary depending on the school’s grade level and layout, and, as specifically permitted, may include student cubbies, backpacks, lockers, or designated classroom storage areas. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their device is stored appropriately and not used during restricted times. 

    Lost or Misplaced Devices

    Students are responsible for the care and safekeeping of their personal internet-enabled devices. The school is not liable for any devices that are lost, misplaced, or forgotten during the school day, including those stored in lockers, classrooms, or other designated areas. We strongly encourage students to clearly label their devices and keep them secured at all times.

  • To accommodate necessary communication while minimizing disruptions to learning, parents or persons in parental relation may contact their student during school hours using the methods outlined below, but we kindly ask that such contact be limited to emergencies or critically important information that must be shared promptly.

    All Grade Levels:

    1. School Office Phone: Parents or persons in parental relation may call the school's main office, and the office staff can relay messages to the student or call the student to the office to speak with their parent or person in parental relation.
    2. Written Messages: Notes may be dropped off at the main office of any school building. Staff will make every effort to deliver these messages to students in a timely manner.
    3. ParentSquare: Parents and guardians may use ParentSquare to send messages directly to their child’s teacher. (Note that teachers cannot access their email while teaching or otherwise engaged.) 

    Students in Grades 7-12:

    Email: Parents or persons in parental relation may email their child using the student’s school-issued email address. 

    Parents and persons in parental relation will be notified in writing of the methods that are available for contacting their student during school hours upon enrollment and at the beginning of each school year.

  • While the District is prohibited from suspending a student solely for accessing internet-enabled devices in violation of this policy, the expectations outlined in the school’s Code of Conduct remain fully applicable. Unauthorized device use that disrupts the learning environment, disrespects others, or violates school rules—such as recording without consent or accessing inappropriate content—will be addressed accordingly. The District employs a progressive discipline approach, meaning that consequences will escalate only if the behavior persists following warnings or prior interventions. The primary objective is to guide students toward making responsible choices, rather than to impose punitive measures. 

  • The District will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website. Translations of the policy into the 12 most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient individuals in the state will be provided upon request by a student or other persons in parental relation to a student.

  • Beginning September 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the District will publish an annual report on its website detailing enforcement of this policy within the District in the prior school year. This report will include non-identifiable demographic data of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance and analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a mitigation action plan.

    Education Law Section 2803