Distraction-Free Schools
Distraction-Free Schools at Lake Shore
Your guide to New York's bell-to-bell device policy, plus a look back at our first year.
Understanding the Distraction-Free Schools Policy
In compliance with New York State Education Law Section 2803, part of a statewide mandate announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, Lake Shore Central School District implemented its updated Distraction-Free Schools Policy for the 2025-26 school year. This bell-to-bell mandate requires all internet-enabled personal devices, including smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets, to be turned off and securely stored from the beginning to the end of the instructional day.
The primary objectives of this policy are to maximize academic focus, reduce digital distractions, improve students' mental wellness, and foster real-world social connections. As mandated by state law, the district follows a progressive, educational, and non-exclusionary disciplinary framework; no student may be suspended solely for a violation of this policy. On July 21, 2025, the Lake Shore Board of Education adopted Board Policy #7316, putting this law into practice district-wide.
This annual report provides a transparent, data-driven overview of policy enforcement, evaluates potential demographic disparities, and outlines next steps where necessary.
2025-26 Reporting Period
Pursuant to New York Education Law §2803(7)(a), Lake Shore Central School District provides the following annual report regarding enforcement of the Distraction-Free Schools Policy for the 2025-26 school year. During the 2025-26 school year, a total of 89 unique students district-wide received formal disciplinary action for noncompliance with the policy, resulting in a total of 152 enforcement incidents.
Total Student Enrollment
2025-26 school year.
Total Violations Recorded
Across all device categories, district-wide.
Students with At Least One Violation
4.5% of total enrollment.
Students Suspended for a Device Violation
Consistent with the state's progressive, non-exclusionary approach.
| Measure | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Warnings | 61 | 40.1% |
| Device Confiscations | 31 | 20.4% |
| Cell Phone Restrictions | 15 | 9.9% |
| Detentions | 16 | 10.5% |
| Parent Notifications | 6 | 3.9% |
| Parent Pickup Required | 2 | 1.3% |
| Other Disciplinary Actions | 21 | 13.8% |
Demographic Data
To safeguard student privacy in accordance with state and federal laws, demographic data has been aggregated and rendered completely non-identifiable. The table below measures the 89 unique students disciplined against enrollment benchmarks for the 1,059 students in the population where violations were recorded this year; a full enrollment demographic breakdown covering all 1,983 students will be incorporated in future reports.
| Demographic Category | Sub-Group | Enrollment % | Unique Students Disciplined | % of Total Disciplined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | 50.6% | 58 | 65.2% |
| Female | 49.4% | 31 | 34.8% | |
| Special Programs | Students with Disabilities (IEP/504) | 29.6% | 41 | 46.1% |
| General Education | 70.4% | 48 | 53.9% | |
| Race / Ethnicity | White | 73.0% | 68 | 76.4% |
| American Indian | 17.4% | 16 | 18.0% | |
| Hispanic/Latino | 3.9% | 1 | 1.1% | |
| Multiracial | 2.2% | 3 | 3.4% | |
| Black/African American | 0.8% | 1 | 1.1% |
Key Findings
- Gender: Male students represent roughly 50.6% of the enrolled population where violations occurred but accounted for 65.2% of disciplined students.
- Students with Disabilities: Students with documented disabilities (IEPs or 504 plans) account for roughly 29.6% of the enrolled population where violations occurred but represent 46.1% of the unique students disciplined under this policy.
- Race & Ethnicity: Enforcement by race and ethnicity tracked closely with enrollment across all groups.
Enforcement of the policy overall involved a relatively small share of the student population, and repeat offenses were concentrated among a limited group of students. Differences observed in the data may reflect differences in student behavior, frequency of referrals, classroom-level intervention practices, or the circumstances surrounding individual incidents. The district will continue to monitor enforcement data, review patterns in repeated violations, and ensure the policy is applied consistently and in accordance with district expectations.
Statistical Significance Determination
Following a formal statistical review, no statistically significant disparate impact was identified. This determination has been certified by building administration at both Lake Shore High School and W.G. Houston Middle School.
Helping Students Build Healthy Device Habits at Home
As the school year gets underway, easing into healthier device habits at home can help students adjust to the school day's device-free expectations and stay focused on learning.
- Set daily screen time limits together as a family
- Turn off non-essential notifications
- Create tech-free zones or times, like during meals or before bed
- Charge devices overnight in a common space outside bedrooms
- Encourage a hobby or activity that doesn't involve a screen
- Build a simple routine, like homework first, then a short device break
- Make it a family challenge and track progress together
- Remove apps that tend to waste time
Distraction-Free School Zones
Why is the District implementing Distraction-Free School Zones?
On July 21, 2025, the Lake Shore Board of Education approved a new policy governing student use of internet-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, during the school day. The policy implements New York State's Bell-to-Bell Distraction-Free Schools law, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul to help create safer, healthier, and more focused learning environments. The full policy, Policy #7316 – Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day, is available from your building's main office.
What does this mean for families?
Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, students are expected to keep personal internet-enabled devices turned off and stored away during the school day unless a teacher or staff member explicitly permits use for educational purposes. Students are provided with district Chromebooks, and outside of an approved instructional app, students are expected to rely on their Chromebooks rather than personal devices. If having a personal device on hand is too much of a distraction, students are encouraged to simply leave it at home.
How are devices stored at each building level?
High School: Personal devices, including internet-enabled wearables such as earbuds, must be stored securely in lockers and/or designated classroom storage areas during the school day (7:55 a.m. – 2:35 p.m.). Classroom storage is already a routine practice in many Lake Shore classrooms. Students may use SmartPass through their Chromebook, and devices may not be used in hallways, study halls, libraries, or lunchrooms unless permitted for an educational purpose.
Middle School: Personal devices must be stored securely in lockers for the school day.
Elementary Schools: Devices must be kept in a secure location, muted or turned off, and out of sight during the school day. Internet-enabled wearables, such as smartwatches, are not permitted at the elementary level.
What if my student needs a device for a medical reason, or has an IEP or 504 Plan?
Exceptions are made in accordance with New York State's Bell-to-Bell law. Families whose student requires a device for a documented medical reason, or as part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan, should have their family and physician complete an exception request form, available from the school main office.
What happens if a student doesn't follow the policy?
Consistent with state law, Lake Shore follows a progressive, educational approach to enforcement. Consequences may include a verbal warning, temporary device confiscation, a parent phone call, or other building-level disciplinary action depending on the number and nature of violations. No student is suspended solely for a device policy violation.
Lake Shore CSD understands the important role technology plays in students' lives, and we're grateful to families and staff for helping make this transition a smooth one. We'll continue to monitor enforcement data and refine our approach as needed. 🦅💚