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Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices Policy

About the Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices During the School Day Policy

Dear Fairport families, 

The Fairport Central School District Board of Education has approved a policy regarding the student use of personal electronic devices during the school day. This policy was developed in accordance with the NYS Governor’s “Distraction- Free Schools” mandate and in consultation with the District’s attorney. The District also received feedback from students, families and staff. The corresponding regulation that supports this policy will be implemented in each of our buildings.

Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, and in order to develop safe and engaging learning environments, foster social emotional wellness, and increase connection and relationships, as well as comply with New York State law, students in the Fairport Central School District are required to: 

  • Refrain from using personal electronic devices anywhere on school grounds during the school day unless explicitly authorized by building leadership.
  • Store personal electronic devices in lockers for the duration of the school day, and/or as directed by school staff. 

Please note that in the FCSD policy, “personal electronic devices” include smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, headphones and/or other devices that are capable of connecting to the internet and/or social media applications. 

Fairport provides powerful technology tools to our students as a 1:1 District. Our students use District devices - including Chromebooks, desktop computers and tablets - throughout the school day. These devices are internet-enabled and allow students to access a wide range of District-verified tools, apps and resources that would otherwise require a smart device or personal laptop.

We know that the ability for parents/guardians to communicate with their students during the school day is important to Fairport families. Parents/guardians should contact the school office via phone for any urgent needs during the school day, or use other appropriate means to contact their children during the school day, as directed by their building principal. Administrators will share their school-specific communication plans with families by August 29, 2025.

Exemptions to this policy will be granted, as determined appropriate by the District, for students who it is determined require access for medical or educational accommodations, as determined by the Committee on Special Education or Section 504 Committee.

The District understands that this policy and its rollout requires the partnership and support of all families. We encourage all of our Fairport families to discuss this policy with their students before the beginning of the school year and to set expectations about how this policy will affect their time at school. We know that the implementation of this policy may be subject to change as new guidance is issued by New York State and as the District navigates the transition to our “Off and Away All Day” policy. The Board will continue to review this policy and how it is being regulated in our schools, and will gather feedback throughout the year to inform their advocacy efforts.

Over the next several weeks, families will receive communications from their building administrators with more detailed communication plans and resources from our Student Services Department to assist families with this transition. 

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation,

 

Brett Provenzano

Superintendent of Schools

 

Board of Education Smart Device Policy and Regulation

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The FCSD policy states that “personal electronic devices” include but are not limited to smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, headphones and/or other devices that are capable of connecting to the internet and/or social media applications. 

  • Enforcement of the District policy will follow the regulation and the District’s Code of Conduct, Character and Support (in development). The expectation that personal electronic devices remain “off and away all day” is consistent across all grade bands and in all of our schools.

  • No. The District policy includes any and all devices that can be connected to the internet or social media applications.

  • These activities occur after the last bell and rules for such clubs, activities, athletics or music events will be determined by the individual coach, teacher or advisor.

  • More than 1,500 parents/guardians and FCSD staff members participated in the anonymous survey distributed by the District in early July 2025. 50% of respondents indicated that they were “familiar” or “very familiar” with existing District expectations for student use of personal electronic devices. 75% of respondents indicated that they were already aware of the state’s “Distraction Free Schools” initiative before they took the District survey. View key takeaways from the survey results.

  • Possible exemptions to the policy are outlined in the regulation, including but not limited to medical reasons or management of a student’s healthcare, educational accommodations as specified in student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans, if the accommodation is not available for use through a District-provided device, as determined by the Committee on Special Education or Section 504 Committee.

    • Parents/guardians should contact the school office via phone for urgent communication with their children during the school day.
    • Parents/guardians should use other appropriate means to contact their children during the school day, as directed by the building principal.
    • Building administration will determine appropriate spaces and resources for students to call or contact their parents during the day and communicate that information to students.

  • Field trips are part of the instructional day and are therefore covered by the policy. Please contact your student’s building principal if there are special or extenuating circumstances.

    • Fairport staff and school community members have informed the development of this policy as well as the shared expectations for the implementation of the regulation. 
    • District-developed training will be shared with each building at the September faculty meetings and reminders and tools will be shared out throughout the year. 
    • Staff are expected to model the behavior in the presence of students, except for reasons of safety and security and building management.

    • Device use is permissible on school buses before and after the instructional day in alignment with the Code of Conduct. 
    • When students enter the building, devices must be turned off and put away.

  • As per the policy regulation, disciplinary actions will be determined by the District in accordance with District guidelines as outlined in the Code of Conduct.