Overview

• New York’s statewide prohibition on student phone use during the school day took effect with the start of classes, with New York City schools deploying pouches, lockers, drop-boxes or classroom collection.
• An NYC Department of Education survey of principals reports roughly 820 schools using lockable pouches, about 600 using drop-boxes or bins, and around 550 collecting devices in classrooms.
• Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said schools were prepared and is convening administrators, advisory councils and student focus groups to fine-tune operations after early hiccups.
• Parents and students voiced support for reduced distractions alongside worries about emergency access, while a union leader noted school safety agent staffing has fallen from about 5,300 to 3,300 since 2019–20.
• Officials emphasized that families should contact schools directly and that students can make emergency calls, with some schools adding landlines and one Westchester parent praising unified school messaging during a hazmat incident.