Dear Goshen Community:
As anticipated, New York State has passed legislation that will restrict the use of cellphones by students beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. On September 3, 2025, all schools in our district will be required to implement a “bell-to-bell” ban, prohibiting students from using cellular phones and other devices with internet capability from their arrival to school until dismissal.
Students will not be allowed to use their phones during school-related activities. This includes:
- Classroom instruction
- Lunch, study halls and free periods
- Transitions between classes
- All extracurricular activities during instructional hours such as field trips and other learning activities outside of a normal classroom setting
Students are not prohibited from using internet enabled devices during after school activities, as well as sports practices and events outside of normal school hours. Following dismissal, the ban is no longer in place.
Any device capable of accessing internet content, such as mobile phones, smartphones, personal tablets, iPads, smartwatches and fitness trackers with communication capabilities are prohibited.
Devices provided by the district that are being used for educational purposes in the classroom, or any other reason where internet use is required by law, will still be allowed. Students that have a legitimate medical reason to use a cellular device and go through the process of receiving clearance from a doctor or care provider may be considered an exception. More on the medical process will be available over the summer.
We understand that this is a big change for families that are used to being connected to their child through their personal cellphones during the school day. The legislation also requires that school districts provide a method for families to contact their child during the school day, along with a way for students to contact their parent/guardian. In Goshen, there is a phone in every classroom which will be available for students to use to call outside the building. For family members, the main office will be available for reaching students during school hours.
After this new policy is adopted by the Board of Education, which is required by state law, our district will have more material to share with the community regarding specific procedures for day-to-day management of this cellphone ban.
This state mandate is an effort to minimize distractions during the school day and support the mental health of students. For months, a group of administrators, teachers, students and their family members have been meeting in Goshen’s Cellphone Summits in an effort to craft recommendations of a policy to share with the Board of Education.
Families are encouraged to keep up with the Board of Education meetings on the Goshen Central School District YouTube page. We are confident that our leadership will adopt a policy that serves the interests of all our district’s community members.
Sincerely,
Kurtis Kotes
Superintendent of Schools