Poughkeepsie City School District

New York State Distraction Free Schools 

The 2025-26 school year initiates the New York State distraction-free statewide school policy which includes:   

• No unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools
• A “bell to bell” distraction free environment 
• School planning for storage of devices during the school day 
• District specific policy development 
• Funding for storage assistance 

Below, the Poughkeepsie School District Policy 5695 which adopted July 25, 2025.
Official approval documentation can be found through Board Docs

For more see

• New York State May 2025 announcement 
• Statewide Implementation Resources