CRCS Cell Phone Policy 2025-2026

Dear Cuba-Rushford Families,

I hope you are all enjoying your summer. Throughout the spring, the Cuba Rushford School District has been reviewing our Code of Conduct. As part of this process, we have updated our policy regarding cell phones, headphones/earbuds, and smart devices such as smartwatches. If you have any questions or concerns, please send an email to District Principal Chris Fee at cfee@mycrcs.org.

We want to inform you that Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a new statewide policy known as the "Bell-to-Bell" Cellphone Ban, which is part of the Distraction-Free School Law, which will take effect in the 2025–2026 school year. This legislation prohibits the use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices throughout the entire school day across all public schools in New York State. The district will change the current cell phone policy to match NYS law.

Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, students will no longer be allowed to have cell phones, headphones/earbuds, and other smart devices with them during the school day. If students choose to bring any of these items to school, they must be turned off and stored in lockers before the 8:10 bell and must remain in lockers until dismissal at 3:00 PM.

In the meantime, we encourage you to begin discussions with your children about this upcoming change. Please inform them that cellphone access during the school day will soon be restricted, and help them prepare for a more focused, less tech-dependent school experience.

We appreciate your support and partnership as we navigate this important transition together.

Respectfully,

Carlos Gildemeister

Superintendent

1. What about emergencies?

Building safety and security is the foundation of this plan. If your child experiences an immediate emergency, we have network phones in every classroom and a landline in the district office. In the event of any safety emergency or building crisis, the school has a safety plan to connect with our families and the community. Security and emergency officials have also underlined the importance of following existing safety protocols that include keeping phone lines open and accessible.

2. What about my child’s mental health?

We understand the severe impact that the pandemic has had on our students and families. Cuba Rushford School District has a dedicated staff, including our teachers, social emotional team, nurses, and staff who are trained to assist with any student needs. We do our very best to offer our students numerous opportunities to help cope with any problems they have throughout each day.

3. Why can’t they use them during lunch and study hall?

Using phones during these less strenuous times typically correlates with increased issues. Taking or receiving unwanted pictures and videos, along with increased cyberbullying, occurs more frequently during these times of the day. Students also could not return phones to their lockers after these times, leading to additional issues throughout the day.

4. What about other daily updates?

Updates such as sport cancellations can be accessed on our school website, ParentSquare, and Facebook. Any major issues will also be communicated through all calls by the district. If a student has an emergency and needs to call home, they are able to go to the main office and use the phone there.

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