These Capital Region schools are going phone-free

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Several school districts in the Capital Region are changing their policies to restrict cell phone use for students during the school day. As many districts have said, this will allow for a more focused, educational experience in the classroom.

While many school districts in New York have their own policies, a statewide policy proposal on smartphones is expected to be released later in this year, according to the governor’s office. Governor Kathy Hochul has been visiting different areas of the state holding roundtable discussions on the topic.

Many schools are electing to use Yondr pouches during the school day so students will be able to hold onto their phones without having access to them. Yondr, who surveyed 900 school partners who started using the pouches, found:

• 83% of schools saw an improvement in student engagement in the classroom
• 74% of schools saw an improvement in student behavior
• 65% of schools saw an improvement in academic performance

The Schoharie Central School District started using Yondr pouches in 2022. Bethlehem High School began using the pouches in 2023.

While the City School District of Albany has not yet implemented a cell-phone ban, the district has conducted a cell phone use survey and their Cell Phone Use Task Force is researching and reviewing the current policies.

The task force is scheduled to report its findings and recommendations to the Albany CSD Superintendent in January. Once reviewed by the Board of Education, any updates to the cell phone policy would be enacted for the 2025-26 school year.

These are the Capital Region school districts that have announced a phone-free policy or phone restrictions for their students this upcoming 2024-25 school year and how that policy will be enforced. This list may be updated as more schools update their cell phone policies.

Amsterdam

The Greater Amsterdam School District will be using Yondr pouches to limit student cell phone use for grades 6 through 12. All personal electronic devices, including phones, smartwatches and earbuds, will be locked in a Yondr pouch that will be opened at the end of the school day.

Pouches will be handed out to students the second week of September and the official implementation will start on September 30. In case of emergency, students can get access to their phones during the school day in the main office.

Berlin

The Berlin Central School District is prohibiting the use of cell phones, headphones and other electronic devices during the school day for grade 6 through 12. Devices must be left in the student's locker between 7:20 a.m. and 2:07 p.m. each day.

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake

The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District is changing its cell phone policy so that high school students will need to place their phone in a rack in a certain area of the classroom at the beginning of the 80-minute block. Students will be able to get their phone back when class is over.

Students will still have access to their phones during lunch and in-between classes, said the district. Students who use their phones for medical reasons will still be allowed to access their phones if needed.

During the day, parents can contact their children through email on the students Chromebooks or by calling the main office. According to the school board, if this method doesn’t work, they can resort to the Yondr pouches.

Gloversville

The Gloversville Enlarged School District will be using Yondr pouches for the upcoming school year to secure student's phones, smartwatches, and headphones during the day. This new policy is for the high school and middle school.

The Yondr pouches are expected to be fully in-use by October 1. Parents can contact their child during the day by calling the main office. Students can also access their phones in the main or guidance offices.

Hoosick Falls

The Hoosick Falls Central School District is banning cell phones in all grades this upcoming school year. Phones must be kept in the student's locker during the day. In case of emergencies, parents can call the main office and students will have access to the office phone if they need to contact their parents.

Mechanicville

The Mechanicville City School District is restricting cell phone use in the classroom for the upcoming school year. For high school students, phones will need to be away in a pocket, backpack or locker. For the middle school, students will need to leave their phones in their locker. Students will still have access to their phones during lunch and during study hall at the high school.

Sharon Springs

The Sharon Springs Central School District will be restricting cell phone use for students in all grades during the school day. Students will need to turn off cell phones, smartwatches, and headphones and place them in a secure container. Upperclassmen will be allowed to carry their phones but they must be off and placed in a designated area of the classroom.

Taconic Hills

The Taconic Hills Central School District will be using Yondr pouches for grades 7 through 12 for the upcoming school year. Student's cell phones, smartwatches, and headphones will need to be secured in the pouch during the school day.

Troy

Troy Middle School and Troy High School will begin using Yondr pouches for the upcoming school year. When students arrive at school, they will need to turn off their phone and place it, along with headphones and smartwatches, into the pouch in front of school staff. Students will be responsible for bringing their pouch to school each day.