As we move forward with adopting a cell phone ban policy ahead of the August 1st deadline, we've received a range of questions from parents, students, and educators. In order to help address common concerns and provide a clearer picture of what to expect, we've created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for our community members to review. If you have any additional questions, please contact our Superintendent's office at (845) 434-6800 ext. 1215.
Q: What if parents do not agree with the ban?
A: This is not a school decision, it is law. We have to follow the law and will continue to work with stakeholders to develop a policy and procedures that support student success.
Q: What does ‘bell to bell” mean?
A: This means that students will have to lock their phones upon arrival at school. At BCES, students will place their phones in a locked cabinet kept inside the classroom. At the JSHS, every student will be given a locking pouch that must be locked upon entry to the school.
Q: What if kids need their phones in an emergency?
A: If it is a school emergency, the teacher will have access to classroom and/or office phones if needed. If the student has an emergency, staff will assist and the student may access the office phones.
Q: What will be the policy for use of the office phones?
A: Students will be able to access office phones for emergency calls. Staff will be extra sensitive to such requests given the new law and new policy. Parents may call in to a building’s main office and share their messages with office staff. Staff will deliver messages to students.
Q: What is a Yondr pouch?
A: The Yondr Pouch is a secure bag that is used to store an individual’s mobile device or devices. It is secured and unlocked with a special magnetic locking device and remains with the student throughout the day
Q: How will students receive a Yondr pouch?
A: All students in the JSHS will be assigned a Yondr pouch to secure their phone, smartwatch and/or earbuds. The pouch is the property of the school and is considered on loan to the student during the school year. Students are responsible for the Yondr pouch at all times and for bringing the pouch to and from school each day and keeping them in good condition. The policy will address loss and replacement of pouches.
Q: How will the process work at arrival and dismissal?
A: Upon entering the Junior-Senior High School, students will turn their phone off, place the phone inside of the Yondr pouch, and lock it. Staff will be watching and spot checking pouches to see that they are locked throughout the day. The pouches will be unlocked at the end of the school day at several designated locations within the building. If a student leaves school early, their pouch will be unlocked as they exit the building. At BCES, students will turn their phone off and place the phone inside the cabinet upon entering their classroom. The cabinet will remain locked throughout the day. If a student leaves school early, the cabinet will be unlocked by their teacher so the student can take the phone with them.
Q: My student attends BOCES CTE programs. How will that work?
A: Students who attend BOCES CTE classes in the afternoon will be able to unlock their devices when they leave the high school. Those who attend morning CTE classes will have to lock their devices upon arrival at the high school. Students are expected to comply with the rules that BOCES has in place.
Q: Will my student’s phone be safe?
A: At the Junior-Senior High School, the pouches never leave the possession of the students. At BCES, phones will remain locked in the cabinet inside the classroom.
Q: Will my student still be able to listen to music?
A: Students will not have access to their cell phones during the school day. Students will be able to use headphones with cords to connect to their Chromebooks. They will be able to use the corded headphones for classroom work or other times as allowed by the teacher. All Bluetooth devices, including AirPods, smartwatches and other headphones, must be stored in the Yondr pouch at the Junior-Senior high School and in a locked cabinet at BCES or not brought to school.
Q: What if a student needs to leave the building before regular dismissal?
A: If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency, work assignment, athletic event, or other school-sponsored field trip, students will be able to unlock their devices at school just prior to their departure. If returning to school during the instructional day, the Yondr pouch would be locked upon re-entry to the Junior-Senior High School. At BCES, the phone will be placed in the locked classroom cabinet.
Q: What if a parent or guardian needs to reach their child during the school day?
A: We understand that emergencies will occur. Parents may contact the main offices to speak with their child if the need arises.
Emergency Situations: In case of emergencies, parents and guardians can contact the school office. We will ensure that messages are promptly delivered to students. Additionally, students will still have access to the office phone if they need to contact their parents or guardians.
Q: What happens if there is an emergency at school?
A: Every location in the high school is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. Our staff is trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. Students will follow the school’s emergency procedures in the case of an emergency. Schools will communicate with parents through the district’s notification and communication tools. The safety of students and staff is the first priority during an emergency. All safety protocols will be followed before a communication is made to parents via the school messaging system.
Q: What if a student does not comply or damages the locked case to access their phone?
A: Students who are found to unlock the pouches, cause damage to the pouch, or use an alternate phone will be subject to disciplinary action as per the code of conduct.
Q: What happens if a student doesn’t have their Yondr Pouch?
A: The phone will be turned over to main office staff and secured in the school safe until the end of the school day. At the end of the school day, students will retrieve their phone from the office. If a student forgets their pouch a second time, parents will be required to pick the phone up.
Q: How will students be able to contact families if there is a lockdown or active shooter situation?
A: Students and staff at all schools practice lockdown drills four times a year. Students and staff are instructed to be silent during a lockdown. The response action guidelines outlined in the high school’s building-level safety plan has a community notification plan for all emergency situations. This notification plan includes first and foremost, parents and guardians of students in the building. First Responders (law enforcement and fire officials) recommend that students not have access to cell phones in a school emergency so that inaccurate information does not circulate and so that responders can do their job managing the emergency.
Q: What if my child is at school and needs to call 911?
A: Every classroom is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. There are no codes or prefixes needed to dial 911.
Q: How will students know whose Yondr pouch is whose?
A: When the school year begins, the pouches will be distributed with each pouch marked and numbered.
Q: Will students be able to put their personal email accounts on the district-owned Chromebooks?
A: No. Students will only be able to use their fallsburgcsd.net accounts on district-owned devices. All devices and networks owned by the district are monitored. Additionally, students that attend BOCES are also allowed to login to FCSD devices using SC or OU BOCES accounts.
Q: How will this new law and policy positively impact students?
A: The intention of of this new law/policy is three-fold: (1) to create classroom environments where teachers can teach and students can learn free from distractions caused by the personal use of devices; (2) to reduce the negative impacts for ALL students of inappropriate use of devices at school, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and incidents involving mobile phones that detract from a healthy school climate; and (3) to increase meaningful face-to-face connections between students.
Q: If a student forgets to unlock the pouch before leaving the building, is there a way for students to unlock the pouch after school?
A:There will be an unlocking station outside of each school building. If the student forgets to unlock their pouch, they will be able to return to school to unlock it.
Q: What if there is a building-wide emergency and students are unable to return to the building, how will they open their Yondr pouch?
A: There are portable/mobile unlocking devices available in both buildings for these types of circumstances.
Q: If the Yondr pouch is stolen/lost, who is responsible for replacement?
A: Students will ultimately be responsible for the care of their Yondr pouch. If a student intentionally damages the pouch, they will be responsible for replacement and may face disciplinary consequences. If a student loses their pouch they will need to report that to a building administrator who will work with the student.
Q: How many Yondr stations will there be and where will they be located?
A: There will be multiple Yondr unlocking stations at school exits for dismissal.
Q: Will buses have unlocking stations for students to unlock their phones on the bus if they forget to when they leave school?
A: At this time there is no plan for unlocking devices on buses. There will be unlocking stations available outside of both of our school buildings after hours in case a student has to return to school to unlock their pouch.
Q: How have you planned for addressing the addictions and the behaviors associated with those addictions for students?
A: We have staff trained in social emotional issues and will address these concerns as needed. Supporting students and making them successful is always a priority. Parents are urged to notify their school administrators when such concerns surface so that we can work with you to address such issues.