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AUG. 18, 2025— Pal-Mac will enact its distraction-free learning policy with the start of 2025-2026 school year. This means the use of all Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) will be prohibited from the first bell of the school day to the last.

The policy includes during lunch, passing time, bathroom breaks, field trips, and any time on school property during the day.

PEDS include, but are not limited to cell phones, fitness trackers, headphones, earbuds, e-readers, calculators, voice recorders, cameras, Smart Watches, and music devices.

To assist students and families with the change, the District created a series of web pages dedicated to everything from the policy to helpful resources and ad campaigns.

The clickable link to the page is above, but you can also click here, or the image above to visit it.

The policy complies with New York State Education law §2803, which requires all public schools to adopt distraction-free guidelines that prohibit student use of internet-enabled personal devices during the school day. The District invited students and parents to respond to a ThoughtExchange near the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Students in grades 6-11 shared additional thoughts to gauge their feedback on how Pal-Mac can best support them in the new year.

The District understands this will be a significant change for some students and families, as these devices are a huge part of life. But school is going to be a completely device-free zone, and that’s not a punishment. It’s about giving everyone the best chance to focus, learn, and be present.

We are all in this effort together, and we thank you for your commitment to keeping Pal-Mac distraction-free.