Niagara Falls, N.Y. (WBEN) - As the 2025-26 school year approaches, big changes are coming for districts across New York State.
Gov. Kathy Hochul hosted a roundtable discussion on Monday at Niagara Falls High School, as school districts prepare to enforce a new bell-to-bell cell phone ban this year. The new policy will have students lock up their phones at the start of the school day, and be kept in a pouch that will be locked up until classes are dismissed for the day.
“Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling. That’s why New York schools are ready for bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall,” said Hochul on Monday. “My team will continue working with school districts across the state as they implement distraction-free learning and deliver the best results for students, parents and teachers.”
The roundtable Monday also featured both Niagara Falls City Schools superintendent Mark Laurrie and Lackawanna City School District superintendent Nadia Nashir.
Laurrie says there will be a four-step disciplinary process if students are caught on their phone in the middle of the day.
"Step 1 is to warn you, put that phone away. Step 2 is 'give me your phone, pick it up at the end of the day.' Step 3 would be your parent has to pick it up. Step 4, your parent has to pick it up and have a hearing," Laurrie explained.
No suspensions will be given out if a student is caught with their phone during the school day, though Laurrie expects adults and staff to follow similar rules by keeping their phones locked up as well.
“‘Bell-to-bell’ gives students a healthy disconnection from social media, and teaches them there is a time and a place for everything," said Nashir on Monday. "When you are in school, the focus must be on teaching and learning, and families can trust that once students and staff are safe, our immediate priority is to communicate quickly, transparently, and in a language they understand. Parents and students also know how to reach one another at any time — through email, a call to the main office, the Remind App, or by visiting the school.”
Niagara Falls senior Harjyot Kaur feels this will take time for students to adjust to, but believes students will get used to staying off their phones.
"Every time I walk into a lunchroom, I see heads. I don't see faces, I don't see smiles. I see people buried into the cellular devices," Kaur said. "And it's just odd to me that I can't go up to anybody and say 'Hey, hello, how are you doing?' because they're so obsessed in their phones."