Policy at a Glance and FAQs

Here are some examples (but there are others not included in this list).

Cell phones, fitness trackers, headphones, earbuds, e-readers, calculators, voice recorders, cameras, Smart Watches, music devices

The new policy is in accordance with New York State’s law to promote distraction-free learning environments.

The law also applies to BOCES campuses.

But beyond that, it's about student well-being, and promoting an engaging learning environment.

Phones and personal devices may be used before and after school. This includes buses. Students attending the WTCC or job sites can use these devices while en route to these sites. Please click here to review the specific Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES policy.

However, please see the policy at a glance for a full rundown of where the phones are prohibited.

Yes and No:  Students who have legitimate medical conditions that require device access will have a differentiated plan in place to meet their needs.

In very limited situations, health orders may be approved by the School District’s Medical Director. If you have an exception and are not able to maintain appropriate conduct, school staff will examine alternative ways to achieve the purpose of this exception, including different storage or access provisions.

Otherwise, students may not use any device, including a phone, for music, checking the time, or texting parents, among other actions.

If it can be done on a district-provided device then it will be done on a district device.

If a parent or caregiver must contact a student in an emergency, they should call the Main Office.

Put It Away: Phones must not be present during the school day.

Store It:  Phones can be left at home, or turned off and kept in their locker.

If a student needs help, they can ask a teacher or someone in the Main Office to hold on to the device.

School staff members will exercise reasonable care to maintain the security of your device if it is held in the office, but there is not a guarantee the device will be secure.

The best solution is to keep your device stored in your locker. Do not allow anyone else access to your personal storage.

A backpack is not an acceptable storage location for a phone.

Families and caregivers should continue to rely on factual information from the District.

Currently, Pal-Mac CSD protocols include the frequent use of ParentSquare and website/social media notification for sharing information and updates with families.

Please ensure your ParentSquare contact information is up to date.

Please see our Emergency Situations tab for a closer look at how Pal-Mac will communicate.

The District has a wide range of services available to support students navigating a variety of concerns.

This includes anxiety, withdrawal, or adjustment challenges related to the upcoming changes in our electronic device expectations.

If parents or caregivers express concerns or ask how they can best support their child, we are happy to partner with them and provide appropriate resources and strategies.

All students are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct regardless of circumstance.

When the student, parents/caregivers and school staff work together, we can ensure that all students will be successful in contributing to our distraction-free learning environment.

You may click the tab below to view our Board of Education (BOE) approved policy on enforcement, which was shared in a notice to students in grades 6-12.

Notice to Students in Grades 6-12

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