Phone ban: 60 students disciplined in 2025-26, all at the high school

What happened

Under the state's distraction-free schools law, students may not use phones or other internet devices all school day. The district's first annual report says 60 students were disciplined for violations in 2025-26, all at Hempstead High School. ABGS Middle School and every elementary school reported zero. The district found no unfair difference by race.

Why it matters to families

The rule covers lunch and passing time. Families should know phones must be stored in lockers or classroom bins, that parents call the school office to reach children, and what exceptions exist.

The evidence

The district's 2025-26 Distraction Free Schools Policy Data Report gives counts by school and group. Policy 5695 on the district site sets storage rules and penalties. Neither document gives an adoption date; the alert date is the day the report was uploaded to the district site.

The source