Distraction-Free School Zones

CLICK HERE TO READ THE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER AND WATCH THE VIDEO UPDATE!

Welcome to the District Update!

As we are now just a few weeks away from the end of the school year, I want to remind our school community that the comment period for the Distraction-Free School Zones proposal closes on Tuesday, June 24^th.  The feedback form is available on the District website.

I also want to clarify to our school community that Distraction-free learning is a New York State mandate that was part of the Governor’s legislative and budget agenda. We reviewed the initial set of feedback received last week and wanted to reiterate some information.  Since February, we have shared the Governor’s proposal in the bi-weekly District and school newsletters. I want to encourage you, if you have no done so, to read the Governor’s legislation and then our proposal, which is included in this week’s newsletter as well: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1747916622/williamsvillek12org/tsndkahq2xz0tdpj2n3x/EdLawTitle2Section552803.pdf

This is a bell-to-bell policy and includes all personal, internet-enabled devices. The bell-to-bell restriction is defined in the Governor’s legislation as being from the first bell to the last bell of the school day. This also includes passing time, free periods, and study halls.

Next, while there is a limited scope of exceptions outlined in the Governor’s proposal, we will have procedures in place in accordance with those.

Finally, as Mr. Bowen shared during his proposal presentation, this will be an adjustment at the high school level.  We will work with our students to make sure they are knowledgeable with their lockers — not just knowing where they are but how to use them.

The last Board of Education Meeting for this academic year is tomorrow night.  The re-organizational meeting and selection of Board leadership will take place on Tuesday, July 1^st.  This will also be the first meeting for our new student Board of Education Members.

Don’t forget, the last student school day is Wednesday, June 25^th, which is a half day.  Reminders have been shared through WITS, newsletters, and social media.  Please also be sure to check the WITS event calendar for end of year celebrations and half day designations.  If you have any questions about those items, please contact your building principal or assistant principal.

Please continue to work hard – and finish the year strong!

May 28, 2025

Dear Williamsville Central School District Students, Families, and Staff,

Since February, the Distraction-Free School Zones Committee has been working diligently to create a proposal in alignment with the Governor’s mandate for distraction-free learning.  The Committee formally presented their work during last night’s Board of Education Meeting.

The proposal is attached to this message.  It is also available on the District’s Distraction-Free School Zones Informational Page.

A comment period (feedback form) is now open through June 24, 2025.  Once the comment period closes, the Committee will review feedback and will make any necessary adjustments to the proposal. The Board will review the proposal at the July Organizational Meeting.   A policy must be adopted by August 1^st.

WHY ARE YOU RECEIVING THIS LETTER?

To keep the school community informed on the process, proposal, and next steps, this letter is being sent to students, families, and staff throughout the District.

WHY IS THE DISTRICT IMPLEMENTING DISTRACTION-FREE SCHOOL ZONES?

In January of 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a Distraction-Free School Zones Policy was part of her legislative proposal for the 2025-2026 school year. In May, the Governor’s budget and proposal were adopted.

WHEN WILL DISTRACTION-FREE SCHOOL ZONES BE IMPLEMENTED?

The District is required to have a policy adopted and posted no later than August 1^st.  Implementation will begin in September for the 2025-2026 school year.

WHAT IS THE *NEW* DISTRACTION-FREE SCHOOL ZONES POLICY PROPOSAL IN THE WILLIAMSVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT?

Overview of Proposal: Student use of personal, internet-enabled devices and the associated headphones/headsets (Bluetooth enabled accessories), are prohibited during the entire school day (bell to bell), including all instructional and non-instructional times (e.g., homeroom, lunch, recess, study halls, passing time).   Personal, internet-enabled devices include but are not limited to: smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, gaming consoles, Fitbits, Google glasses, VR headsets, MP3 players, iPods, and iPads.

Device Storage: At the elementary school level, devices must be stored in students’ backpacks, turned off, from the time they enter the building at the start of the school day until they exit the building at the end of the school day. At the middle and high school levels, devices must be turned off and stored in a locked locker during the school day.

Exceptions: Students may use their personal, internet-enabled devices under the following circumstances:

• Authorized by a Teacher - For a specific educational purpose (including personally owned laptops)
• Healthcare Needs - As required for tracking health conditions or medical purposes as per Individual Health Care Plan (example: Diabetes monitoring)
• In the event of an emergency
• Translation Services - As necessary for English Language Learners
• On a case-by-case basis for student caregivers responsible for the well-being of a family member.  Such allowance will only be permitted after a review and determination by a school social worker, school counselor or school psychologist
• Required by Law - If the use of the device is mandated by law
• IEP/504 Plans - When specified in a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan (Limited in scope. A structured process will be developed.)
   

Link to Proposal Presentation

• VIDEO Link to Proposal Presentation (presentation begins at 1:36:00)

WHAT DOES ENFORCEMENT LOOK LIKE?

Overview:

• First Offense - Device confiscated.  Parent notification.  Warning.   Returned to student at the end of the school day.
• Second Offense - Device confiscated.  Parent notification.  Warning.   Returned to parent.
• Third Offense and beyond - Device confiscated.  Parent notification.  Additional school consequences.   Returned to parent.
• Refusal to Comply (Middle and High School) - In-school suspension for refusal to turn over a device when asked by an adult.
  • A student’s refusal to comply multiple times may result in a student being required to place personal, internet-enabled electronic device(s) in a secure storage space prior to the first bell of the scheduled school day.  Following the last bell of the day, the storage solution will be unlocked.  If students refuse to turn their device over to an adult when asked, this will be considered insubordination and a day of in-school suspension will be assigned.

IS THE DISTRICT PURCHASING STORAGE SOLUTIONS?

Yes, the District is purchasing storage solutions for Distraction-Free Learning Zones.  A student’s refusal to comply multiple times may result in a student being required to place personal, internet-enabled electronic device(s) in a secure storage space prior to the first bell of the scheduled school day.  Following the last bell of the day, the storage solution will be unlocked.

WHAT IS THE COST TO THE DISTRICT FOR PURCHASING STORAGE SOLUTIONS?

The District can be reimbursed by the state for purchasing storage solutions. In the budget proposal, the Governor allocated $13.5 million in funding for school districts to purchase storage solutions.

IS THE DISTRICT REQUIRED TO TRACK ENFORCEMENT/CONSEQUENCES?

Yes, as part of the Governor’s mandate, school districts across the state will be required to publish an annual report on infractions.

WITH THIS POLICY IN PLACE, HOW CAN PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND STUDENT COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER DURING THE COURSE OF THE SCHOOL DAY?

Parents/guardians may call the main office to leave a message for their child.  In addition, students may use the school’s phone in the office (or classroom, when available and appropriate) to call their parent/guardian.

Where age appropriate, parents/guardians may also WITSmail their own child.

HOW HAVE SCHOOLS MANAGED CELL PHONES OR PERSONAL, INTERNET ENABLED DEVICES PREVIOUSLY?

Elementary Schools

• In general, electronic devices have to be put away during the school day in a student’s backpack.

Middle Schools

• In general, middle schools have been consistent. Electronic devices are not allowed during the school day and have to be kept in a student’s locked locker.

High Schools

• In general, cell phones and electronic devices are allowed during non-instructional times (passing, lunch, study hall, etc).
• Students may use their electronic devices with teacher approval during instructional time.
• Electronic devices are not allowed in private spaces (lavatories/lockers/offices).

THERE ARE SOME SCHOOLS THAT IMPLEMENTED DISTRACTION-FREE/CELL PHONE BANS IN THEIR SCHOOLS PRIOR TO THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSAL. DID THE DISTRICT CONSULT WITH ANY OF THOSE SCHOOLS/DISTRICTS?

Yes, the Chair of the Distraction-Free School Zones Committee spoke with Lackawanna and Medina School Districts.

Policies from other schools across the nation were reviewed including: Orangeburg County School District (SC), Rosedale Union School District (CA), Bethlehem Central School District (NY), Ankeny Community School District (IA), and Los Angeles School District (CA). 

DOES THIS POLICY IMPACT FACULTY AND STAFF?

No, while the policy is for student use of personal electronic devices, it does not govern use by faculty and staff in our schools.  However, faculty and staff should model positive behavior and have their personal electronic device away during instructional time. 

WHEN DID THE COMMITTEE MEET?

Following the announcement from the Governor in January, the District sent stakeholders a notice of interest form to inquire about joining the Distraction-Free School Zones Committee.

After the form closed, a lottery was held to select stakeholders (students, parents, teachers, and administrators).  The committee met on the following days:

• February 27, 2025
• March 13, 2025
• March 27, 2025
• April 9, 2025
• May 8, 2025

The Distraction-Free School Zones Committee will also meet on June 25^th to review feedback from the comment period and assess whether any amendments need to be made.

HOW WAS INFORMATION ON DISTRACTION-FREE SCHOOL ZONES SHARED LEADING UP TO THE PROPOSAL PRESENTATION?

Communication is available to review on the Distraction-Free School Zones webpage.  The District and school buildings shared news, research, and information graphics in the bi-weekly newsletters.  Informational posters were placed throughout school buildings to also raise awareness on this initiative.  The District also provided meeting updates during the regularly scheduled Board of Education Community Updates.

As we near the end of the school year and continue work in the summer months, the District will continue to provide updates and information regarding Distraction-Free School Zones.

We look forward to your feedback!

Sincerely,

Dr. Darren J. Brown-Hall
Superintendent of Schools

May 23, 2025

Dear Williamsville Central School District Students, Families, and Staff,

I want to thank the Distraction-Free School Zones Committee for their work in crafting a thoughtful and comprehensive proposal, in alignment with Governor Hochul’s mandate for distraction-free learning. As you may be aware, the Governor’s budget agenda was approved earlier this month.  The full text of the Governor’s agenda regarding distraction-free learning is available here.

While our timeline indicated the Committee would be presenting their proposal at the June Board of Education Meeting, I want to share that they will now present next week during the Tuesday, May 27^th Board of Education Meeting. In reviewing the timeline, and with conversations with the Board, the District would like to provide stakeholders a thorough comment period prior to the summer break.  Adjusting the presentation date will allow this to occur. If the presentation had occurred in June, there would only be a two-week comment period prior to the end of the year.

The Distraction-Free School Zones presentation and overview, are listed under item 5B on the Board Agenda: https://go.boarddocs.com/ny/williams/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=D6BLUR51C411

All of these items are also available on the District’s Distraction-Free School Zones website.  Following the meeting and presentation, an additional letter regarding the policy proposal along with the feedback form will be shared.  The comment period for this initiative will open following Tuesday’s meeting and close on Tuesday, June 24th.  The Committee will reconvene on Wednesday, June 25th to review feedback.

As outline by the Governor, policies must be adopted by Boards and school districts no later than August 1st and implemented at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Your understanding and feedback are truly appreciated. Thank you!

Sincerely, 

Dr. Darren J. Brown-Hall
Superintendent of Schools

CLICK TO READ THE DISTRICT NEWLETTER AND WATCH THE VIDEO UPDATE!

Welcome to the District update!

May continues to be a busy month as we near the annual budget vote and school board elections.

As a reminder, the annual budget hearing is tomorrow, May 13th at 6:00 pm at the District Office. Following that meeting, PTSA Council will host Meet the Candidates Night, which will begin at approximately 7:00 pm. Candidate profiles and an informational video for the candidates are available on the District website, social media channels, and also in the District and building newsletters.

Tuesday, May 20th is the annual budget vote. Stakeholders are able to cast ballots from 7:00 am - 9:00 pm at Williamsville North High School in the gym. We are proud to once again present the community with a balanced budget that maintains all current academic and extracurricular programming, and also focuses on school safety and student wellness initiatives. The proposed budget also includes additional special education programming in alignment with the Special Education Strategic Plan.  We look forward to your support and seeing you at the polls next week!

The budget vote and election results will be adopted during the May 27th meeting.

As you know, the Distraction-Free School Zones Committee has been meeting since February. They will present their Distraction-Free School Zones Policy proposal during the June 10th meeting. The policy, which will be in alignment with the Governor’s mandate for distraction-free learning, will include a comment period for stakeholder feedback. School districts across the state are required to adopt a policy by August 1st for implementation in September for the 2025-2026 school year.

I know with the end of the year a few weeks away, local and Regents exams are right around the corner. Please continue to work hard.  We’ll see you next week.

CLICK TO READ THE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER!

Welcome to the District Update!

As we prepare to head into the final weeks of the school year, I want to re-share an important calendar update.  Since the District used fewer emergency closing days than expected this year, the last student day and last teacher day have been adjusted.

The last student day will now be on Wednesday, June 25^th.  The last teacher/rating day will be on Thursday, June 26^th.  Please be sure to mark this on your calendar. We will send additional reminders leading up to the last day of school.

Speaking of the calendar, throughout the month of May there are several important dates to remember.  As we prepare for the budget vote and school board elections, May 13^th will be the annual budget hearing and Meet the Candidates Night.  The budget hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m. Meet the Candidates night will follow at approximately 7:00 p.m.  As a reminder, all budget information is available on the District website.  The five candidates running for the Board are:

• Julie Emerson
• Mark Manna (i)
• Philip Danielson
• Stuart Bulan (i)
• Christina Bleckinger (i)

Candidate profiles and an informational video will be on the web and shared on our social media channels in the coming days.

The annual budget vote and school board election will take place on Tuesday, May 20^th from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Williamsville North High School in the gym.  Each year, we pride ourselves in presenting our community with a balanced budget that maintains programming but also enhances the school experience. The academic and non-instructional offerings in our District would not be possible without community support.  Thank you – and we look forward to seeing you at the polls on May 20^th!

The Code of Conduct comment period for the 2025-2026 edition will close on Thursday, May 22^nd. Please be sure to review the DRAFT version that is linked in the District newsletter and available on the website. Comments and feedback can be shared to contact@williamsvillek12.org.

Please also don’t forget to submit your transportation information for the 2025-2026 Transportation Efficiency Study. So far, we have 40% of parents/guardians respond but need all to respond so we can streamline transportation.  Thank you!

Finally, I want to thank everyone who participated in the Speaker Series this year.  Our last event on Literacy wrapped up last week.  All four of this year’s Speaker Series focused on instructional content areas such as English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Technology and Engineering, and STEAM, and the Arts.  All presentations are available on the District’s K-12 Overview page.

April was Arab American Heritage.  May marks Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We look forward to continuing to highlight the accomplishments in our Individuals of Significance video projects.

Please continue to work hard and have a great week!

CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO UPDATE AND READ THE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER!

Welcome to the District Update!

First, I want to thank the community members who joined us for the Budget Work Session and Spring Community Forum!  With every budget, we know our community expects efficient accounting and transparency.  We are proud that we are once again developing a balanced budget that not only preserves programming but also expands opportunities for our students.  None of this would be possible without your support!

It was great to see a packed house at Casey Library as well.  I, along with the Board of Education, appreciate your questions and feedback.  Many of the items discussed will be examined more in-depth in the future.

Last week, it was also incredible to see the creativity and fun our students had with the #WillPower Spirit Week.  I want to thank the student leaders in the Superintendent’s Interhigh Advisory Council for organizing this year’s event!  If you have not had the opportunity, please check out the Spirit Week Photo Gallery on the District website.

Next, I want to remind our families that the Transportation Efficiency Study officially opens tomorrow on WITS. As we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, our goal is to ensure efficiency with overall ride time for students and also streamline arrival and dismissal at our buildings.  We need all families to submit their information. The survey will be available until Monday, June 2^nd.  Families will be reminded the first of each month to complete the survey until it closes.  Once a parent/guardian makes their selection, the Transportation Efficiency Study will no longer be available.  Thank you for your participation!

Last week, we shared information regarding the Advanced Coursework Opportunities at the middle and high school level.  Please be sure to review this letter and explore the Advanced Coursework page that is available on the District website.  Questions related to advanced coursework should be referred to your child’s school counselor.

I want to congratulate our athletic teams that competed during the winter sports season!  In total, more than 40 student-athletes and more than a dozen teams from Williamsville East, Williamsville North, and Williamsville South qualified for the postseason.  Williamsville East Boys Hockey and Williamsville South Girls Basketball each advanced to the state semifinals!  I am also proud to share that South junior Carter Kobielski won the state championship in the 100-meter freestyle event at the State Swimming Meet! Congratulations on a great season!

Speaking of South, after a tough audition and selection process, the Swing Choir was selected to perform in Disney Springs at their Imagination Campus.  This was an amazing opportunity for our students where they were able to get a behind the scenes look at animation, production, and performance.  I want to encourage our school community to take a look at the video project available on the District’s YouTube channel, which highlights their trip.

We were also recently notified that Jessica Park, a student at Williamsville East, was also a winner in the Congressional App Challenge in New York’s 23^rd District for her anti-bullying app, StandUP.  Be sure to keep an eye out for a video project showing casing her work!

Don’t forget the Spring Recess is April 14^th – April 21^st!  When we return, the next Board of Education meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 22^nd.  The final Speaker Series on Literacy will follow on Wednesday, April 23^rd.  Our Director of English Language Arts and Reading, Christi Carroll, will share insight into ELA at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, along with our work to be at the forefront of the Science of Reading discussion.  Webinar information was shared through WITs, website, calendar, social media channels, and newsletter.

Please, continue to work hard and have a great week!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

Welcome the District update!

First, I want to welcome and congratulate Patrick Lester, who was appointed as the new Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Williamsville South High School!  Officially in the thick of the spring sports season, Mr. Lester has hit the ground running and is excited to see the Billies in action on the turf, track, and fields over the next few months!  I know he’ll continue the tradition of athletic excellence at South.

Next, don’t forget -- The Speaker Series on Math and Computer Science is tomorrow, Tuesday, March 18^th from 6 – 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Webinar.  Nationally recognized for our excellence in mathematics and computer science education, Dr. Chris McGinley, our Director of Math and Computer Science, will share how Williamsville offers students a dynamic, engaging, and forward-thinking learning experience.

Our final Speaker Series on Literacy will take place in April!

As we continue to develop the budget for the 2025-2026 school year, I want to remind our school community that there will be a Budget Work Session on Tuesday, March 25^th at 6:00 p.m. at the District Office.  This is an opportunity for stakeholders to join us, learn more about the development process, and ask questions.

Following the Budget Work Session, we want to encourage stakeholders to stay engaged as we host the spring Community Forum, which will take place at approximately 7:00 p.m. in the Casey Middle School library.  This is an opportunity for students, parents/guardians, residents, and staff members to talk about any education-related item they wish – there is no set topic or agenda!  I will be there along with the Board of Education.  We look forward to seeing you!

If you are a parent/guardian and were selected to complete one of the three surveys through Via Evaluation, please be sure to complete the survey.  Whether it was the survey about our Strategic Plan, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan, or Communications, we value and appreciate your feedback.  Our goal is to continue to refine and enhance awareness and information sharing in the District.

While I know our families and staff are focused on this school year, the dates and locations for Summer School have been finalized.

The Elementary and Middle School Summer Program will take place at Transit Middle School from July 9^th through August 19^th.  The High School Summer Program will be at Williamsville East and run from July 8^th through August 20^th, while the Special Education Summer Program will be located at Mill Middle School from July 7^th through August 15^th.  As we get closer to the summer, our goal is to have all of this information finalized for students and families by the end of May.

Finally, as shared by our buildings, SIHAC #WillPower Spirit Week begins on Monday, March 24^th and runs through Friday, March 28^th.  Pajama Day is the 24^th, Country vs. Country Club the 25^th, Monochrome Day the 26^th, Jersey Day the 27^th, and School Spirit Day on the 28^th.  From elementary to high school, I can’t wait to see the creativity and fun – led by our student leaders!

Please continue to work hard and have a great week!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER!

Welcome to the District Update!

As I begin, I want to recognize Williamsville East’s Jean Weitz, Mill’s Debra Kaiser, and Dodge’s Melanie Myers who have been selected as 2025 inductees into the New York State Master Teachers program. This is an incredible honor highlights their dedication to professional growth and development.

Next, I want to congratulate Williamsville East’s Sophie Wang and Williamsville North’s Emma Faulhaber, Lincoln Peacock, and Jolynda Wang who are finalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition.  These four students are competing with thousands across the country for more than $33 million in scholarships! Winners are announced from March through May.

Speaking of competition… I want to thank UB and the men’s and women’s basketball teams for an exceptional experience for our students and families during their Williamsville School Spirit day on Saturday. In total, more than 400 members of our school community - parents/guardians, students, and staff - participated in the event. We hope to continue to partner and provide these experiences in the future with the Bulls!

I want to remind our school community that the comment period for the 2025-2026 Draft Calendar closes on Friday. The draft calendar, which is built in collaboration and follows the BOCES calendar, includes 181 student days, a two week break for the Winter Recess, and five emergency closing days. The Board of Education will consider the calendar for adoption at the next Board meeting on Tuesday, March 11th. There is also a Budget Work Session and Community Forum on March 25th.

Speaking of the Board, as we enter budget and election season, Board Candidate Information Packets are available to pick up at the District Office. Please coordinate with the District Clerk, Lynn Carey, if interested in running.  Each of our high school buildings are also accepting Board Candidate Packets for students interested in representing the student body and serving as non-voting members of the Board. Applications and petitions are due March 14th to building administrators.

As a District, we are working on several big initiatives, one of which is establishing a District-wide policy regarding internet enabled devices, as outlined in the Governor’s proposal.  The Distraction-Free School Zone Committee began its work last week and has elementary, middle, and high school groups working to outline what the new District policy will look like at each level. They will continue to meet regularly leading up to their proposal presentation in June.

Also, as we shared last week, we have partnered with Via Evaluation to conduct surveys with our school community about our Strategic Plan, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan, and Communications. Via Evaluation will administer surveys through random sampling among stakeholders. Please be on the lookout for emails - as the survey will come directly from Via Evaluation.  We will also be conducting the Transportation Efficiency Survey in April.

March is here, and while there are no vacations or designated days off, there is still much to look forward to and be excited about — including SIHAC’s annual spirit week competition! Stay tuned for more details!

Please, continue to work hard and have a great week!

Notices were sent out to individuals who submitted an interest form for the Distraction-Free School Zone Committee through the District's website.  Parents/guardians and students were notified if they were or were not selected to be on the committee.

Dear Williamsville Central School District Families and Students,

Recently, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her initiative of “Distraction-Free School Zones” throughout New York State.   You can review the proposal and legislation on the Governor’s website.

All school districts are required to submit a policy to the New York State Education Department by August 1, 2025 for implementation beginning September 1, 2025.

As a District, we know the perspective of parents/guardians and students is important, and we are forming a committee to review the legislation and provide a proposal for the District.  If you are interested in joining this committee, please submit a notice of interest form through the District website by Friday, February 14, 2025.  Depending on the amount of responses, we may hold a lottery for selection.

Please also know the committee will have its first on Thursday, February 27^th at 4:00 p.m. at Williamsville North High School in the Lower Cafeteria.

We look forward to collaborating with you on this initiative.

Sincerely,

Andrew Bowen
Principal, Williamsville North High School