Phones must stay put away all day, including at lunch

What happened

The board gave final approval on August 27, 2026 to Policy 5516, which bans student use of any internet-enabled device on school grounds from the first bell to the dismissal bell. Students are expected to keep phones in their lockers. Until now Vernon let students use phones at lunch; that is no longer allowed.

Why it matters to families

This changes the school day for every Vernon student. Families who used to text their child at lunch now have to call the school office instead, and the district says offices will pass messages on, including in an emergency.

The evidence

Policy 5516, created in January 2016 and last edited in August 2026, defines bell-to-bell as the start bell to the dismissal bell including time between classes and lunch, and adopts the rule under New Jersey law N.J.S.A. 18A:36-40b. The August 27, 2026 agenda lists the policy for second reading and final approval, and the superintendent said on the recording that lunchtime use 'is no longer permitted' and that principals were already writing to families.

The source