Middle and high school phone pouches replaced by larger clear cases

What happened

For 2026-27, students at the three middle schools and Albany High will get a new, larger clear storage case instead of last year's Yondr pouch. The case is locked when students enter school. Phones stay off and in the student's hands all day, and are unlocked at dismissal. Students without a case have their phone collected until the end of the day. Elementary schools keep their own procedures.

Why it matters to families

This is the daily phone rule for grades 6-12. Students keep the case for their high school years and must bring it every day. The rule follows New York's bell-to-bell phone ban.

The evidence

The district's Aug. 21, 2026 news post says the change from Yondr pouches to a larger, clear storage case applies at Hackett, Myers, North Albany and Albany High, while the Newcomer Program in Albany International Academy keeps Yondr pouches. The district cell phone page says the board adopted the phone policy on July 24 (the page does not show the year).

The source