The Newburgh Enlarged City School District (NECSD) is leading the way toward taking charge of a hot topic in education. The use of cell phones in schools is a popular subject and NECSD's implementation of minimizing the use of cell phones in schools has been featured by various news agencies locally, nationally, and internationally, sharing our story. 

All middle and high school students are required to place their cell phones in a locked pouch at the start of each school day, releasing the phones at dismissal. Teachers are noticing increased participation and engagement in classes. Principals are noticing more "good noise" in hallways and cafeterias with students engaging in conversations with their peers. The pouches have been used in all secondary schools (middle and high schools) beginning in the fall of 2023 and were previously piloted at NFA West Campus for several years prior.

CBS Mornings - October 20, 2023 - Growing Number of schools across US have students lock away phones

CBS News - December 13, 2023 - CBS Evening News Students say their New York school's cellphone ban helped improve their mental health

NBC New York - August 1, 2024 - Principals deeply concerned about phones in schools

NBC New York - August 1, 2024 - What happens when a school bans phones?

Edutopia - July 12, 2024 - 3 Schools, 3 Principals, 3 Cell Phone Bans

September 9, 2024 - Swiss Broadcasting SRF - «Kassensturz»-Spezial – Handysucht bei Jugendlichen [«Kassensturz» special – Mobile phone addiction among young people]

Bloomberg - July 17, 2024 - NY Students Banned From Using Phones First Hated, Then Loved It 

New York State - August 5, 2024 - Governor Hochul Hosts Hudson Valley Roundtable on Tackling Smartphone Use in New York Schools

ABC Eyewitness News New York - August 5, 2024 - Governor Hochul brings school smartphone ban listening tour to Yonkers

Mid Hudson Times - September 6, 2023 - School district seeks to limit cell phone usage in class

News12 - November 6, 2023 - Newburgh school district enforces cellphone ban with Yondr pouches