Family Handbook

PS 166 Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy

September 2025

New York City public schools are implementing a “bell-to-bell” ban on cell phone and internet-enabled personal devices use during the school day in alignment with Chancellor’s Regulations and Education Law § 2803, including classroom time and other settings like lunch, effective this fall for the 2025-2026 school year. We recognize that cell phones and internet-enabled devices have become a common tool for communication. However, they have also become a major distraction to the learning environment and are vulnerable to theft and damage. Students must adhere to the following policy once they arrive at the school building.

• Upon arrival, students must power off their personal devices and turn them in at the classroom to a designated school official at 8:20-8:30am. Students arriving after this window must turn in their devices to the main office staff.
• Devices are securely stored and returned at dismissal by school staff at the classroom between 2:30 p.m. and 2:40 p.m.
• Students who leave school early may retrieve their devices from the main office
• Our school is not responsible for the loss or damage to your child’s cell phone or internet-enabled devices.

If a student is seen with their cell phone/internet-enabled device during the school, the cell phone/internet-enabled device will be confiscated, and a parent/guardian will be notified to pick up the device from the school administration office.

In the event that a student must call home during the school day, a telephone will be available in the main office and may be used with permission. Health concerns can be addressed using the telephone in the nurse’s office. 

Our school will use GAMA, an automated communication system, to inform parents or guardians in case of emergency.

In case of emergency, parents or guardians may contact the main office and speak with Katie Qori, Pupil Secretary, or Gigi Bouchar, Supervising School Aide at 212-678-2829.  A backup contact for emergencies is the Parent Coordinator, Jennifer Passero, at 212-579-4555.

Principal Mastriano, DMastriano@schools.nyc.gov, can be contacted to request an exemption  

September 2025

New York City public schools are implementing a “bell-to-bell” ban on cell phone and internet-enabled personal devices use during the school day in alignment with Chancellor’s Regulations and Education Law § 2803, including classroom time and other settings like lunch, effective this fall for the 2025-2026 school year. We recognize that cell phones and internet-enabled devices have become a common tool for communication. However, they have also become a major distraction to the learning environment and are vulnerable to theft and damage. Students must adhere to the following policy once they arrive at the school building.

• Upon arrival, students must power off their personal devices and turn them in at the classroom to a designated school official at 8:20-8:30am. Students arriving after this window must turn in their devices to the main office staff.
• Devices are securely stored and returned at dismissal by school staff at the classroom between 2:30 p.m. and 2:40 p.m.
• Students who leave school early may retrieve their devices from the main office
• Our school is not responsible for the loss or damage to your child’s cell phone or internet-enabled devices.

If a student is seen with their cell phone/internet-enabled device during the school, the cell phone/internet-enabled device will be confiscated, and a parent/guardian will be notified to pick up the device from the school administration office.

In the event that a student must call home during the school day, a telephone will be available in the main office and may be used with permission. Health concerns can be addressed using the telephone in the nurse’s office. In case of emergency, parents or guardians may contact the school at 212-678-2854.

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Under the updated policy, Chancellor's Regulation A-413, students are not permitted to use personal internet-enabled electronic devices during the school day. This includes devices such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, and portable music and entertainment systems.

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, in accordance with New York State law,(Open external link) New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is updating its policy regarding the use of internet-enabled electronic devices—including cell phones—in school. This change supports the State's intent to create distraction-free schools(Open external link) and aims to ensure safe and focused learning environments across all NYCPS schools.

Please see the link for frequently asked questions: Frequently Asked Questions