While Most New York Schools Ban Phones, Xaverian High School Hears Different Ringtone in Brooklyn

"Instead, the school allows its sixth- to 12th-grade students to keep their cell phones with them at all times but prohibits their use during class. Students are only allowed to use their phones during lunch and free periods. "We certainly understand and agree with the concerns people have about cell phone use by students and the effect it can have on them. But we're also looking at this as a teachable moment for our kids," Xaverian Principal Daniel Sharib said."

"Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the ban last spring and worked with the state legislature to include $13.5 million in the budget to help schools implement the ban. Although the ban does not apply to private or religious schools, many Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens also prohibit the devices. St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows implemented a ban at the start of the school year. Per the policy, students are required to store cell phones in their lockers."

Xaverian High School allows sixth- through 12th-grade students to carry cell phones but bans phone use during class, permitting use only at lunch and during free periods. The principal frames the policy as a teachable moment to build responsible digital citizenship and notes the approach reflects digital life and has caused no issues so far. New York State public schools face a state-mandated ban funded with $13.5 million to aid implementation. The state ban excludes private and religious schools, and many Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens have adopted stricter rules, with some requiring phones to be stored in lockers.

Read at The Tablet