Starting in the 2025-26 school year, Middleburgh Central Schools must follow a new state law that bans cell phone use from the start of the school day until the end—this is called a “Bell to Bell” ban.
At Middleburgh Central School District, this means students may not use cell phones or other internet-enabled devices at any time during the school day, including lunch. Also, phones, wireless headphones, and smartwatches must be put away—in lockers or the main office—and cannot be carried in pockets.
Grade 7 and 8 students are automatically given a locker in September. If a student in grades 9-12 would like a locker they should request one through Mrs. Shultes in the main office.
“We know this is a big change, but we’ve already made progress over the past two years. We believe we can keep moving forward together,” said MCS Jr./Sr. Principal Matthew Sloane.
If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian, they can go to the main office or guidance office to use a school phone. Parents can also call the school, and we will make sure their message gets to the student.
- Cell phone use will not be permitted during school hours (8:08 a.m.- 2:45 p.m.). This includes classrooms, lunches, PE classes, study halls, in the hallways or any other school space. This is a “bell to bell” requirement
- Students should secure cell phones in their lockers or store phones in the main office if they choose. They should be out of sight throughout the day, and may not be stored in pockets. If devices are seen in pockets they will be confiscated.
- Parents are always welcome to contact the school if there is an emergency or with questions. The main school number is 518-827-3600.
- Students may also use school phones in the guidance and main office to contact their parents during the school day.
Students are not permitted to use cell phones or any personal device attached to their cell phone (including wireless earbuds / headphones or digital watches) during the entirety of the school day. These restrictions apply to the entire instructional day (8:08 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.) and to all locations.
Consequences for Non-Compliance
First offense
If a phone is seen (or heard) in any school space during school hours:
- The phone is immediately given to the adult and a parent/caregiver needs to pick up the phone in the high school office at the end of the school day.
- The student will serve after-school detention from 2:45-4:45 P.M. on a Tuesday or Thursday and cannot attend clubs, sports, dances or any extracurriculars that day.
Failure to surrender device
- If the phone isn’t immediately given to the adult, the phone will be confiscated by someone from the administrative team. The phone will remain in the main office until a caregiver comes to pick it up. The student will serve in-school suspension on that day and after-school detention from 2:45-4:45 P.M.. The student cannot attend clubs, sports, dances or any extracurriculars that day.
Second offense
If a phone is seen (or heard) in any space during school hours:
- The phone is immediately given to the adult and a parent/caregiver needs to pick up the phone in the high school office at the end of the school day.
- Student serves in-school suspension on that day and cannot attend clubs, sports, dances or any extracurriculars that day.
Failure to surrender device
- If the phone isn’t immediately given to the adult, the phone will be confiscated by someone from the administrative team. The phone will remain in the high school office until a caregiver comes to pick it up. Students serve an out-of-school suspension and cannot attend clubs, sports, dances or any extracurriculars while suspended.
- The student also serves after-school detention from 2:45-4:45 p.m.. on that day and cannot attend clubs, sports, dances or any extracurriculars that day.
Third offense
If a phone is seen (or heard) in any space during school hours:
- The phone is immediately given to the adult and a parent/caregiver needs to pick up the phone in the main office at the end of the school day.
- Student serves three (3) days of in-school suspension and cannot attend clubs, sports, dances or any extracurriculars for two (2) weeks.
Failure to surrender device
- If the phone isn’t immediately given to the adult, the phone will be confiscated by someone from the administrative team. The phone will remain in the main office until a caregiver comes to pick it up. Student serves an out-of-school suspension and cannot attend clubs, sports, dances or any extracurriculars while suspended.
- For the remainder of the year the student will be required to leave their cell phone in the main office.