Away For The Day | Latest News - Cellphones, watches, earbuds restricted in Alabama schools this fall: What you need to know

Many Alabama students will have to part with cellphones and electronic devices during the school day, thanks to a new state law, the FOCUS Act.

Alabama parents and AL.com readers weighed in on the changes with plenty of questions, especially about how schools will manage communication with families during an emergency.

“I feel like with all of the craziness that happens now, all kids should be allowed to have their phone on them at all times,” Brandi Edmiston commented in response to an AL.com question on Facebook. “However, it should only be visible in emergency-type situations or suspension should take place. No videoing fights, teachers, making reels or Tik-Toks, etc.”

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As the first day of school approaches, Jefferson County Public Schools is gearing up for a complete cellphone ban districtwide.

July 25, 2025

A big change is coming to New York City public schools beginning this September, aimed at eliminating distractions in the classroom.

July 24, 2025

Oelke said that she had previously worked at a school with a zero-tolerance cell phone policy. “It was absolutely one of the best teaching years that I have had in over a decade,” Oelke said.

July 22, 2025

Officials with the Phoenix Elementary School District said they follow "away for the day" guidelines, where students have to turn their phones off once they get to campus.

April 14, 2025

Anchor Bay schools are going cellphone-free this fall. The district is planning to roll out a new “Away-for-the-Day” device policy at the start of the 2025-26 school year.

April 28, 2025

Schools that have adopted “away for the day” policies, including those in Colorado, Ohio, Portland and elsewhere, say that the lunchroom is loud again.

June 18, 2025

Anchor Bay Schools calls it the “Away-for-the-Day” device policy, and some parents have told Local 4 that they have safety concerns about it.

May 1, 2025

'Away for the day' cellphone rule to remain in place in Harrison County (West Virginia) schools

July 10, 2025

Every school district in Tennessee will have some form of a cellphone ban once school starts in a few weeks due to a new state law.

July 15, 2025

Ohio private schools don't have to follow the new student cell phone ban. Some are anyway

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Under the new policy, Scotia-Glenville middle and high school students will be required to keep their phones in their lockers from the start to the end of the school day. The district has decided against using phone pouches.

July 16, 2025

While a new policy has not yet been set, Friendswood ISD officials are inching closer toward an “away for the day” cellphone policy for the 2025-26 school year

March 23, 2025

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has introduced legislation that would ban cellphones and other personal electronic devices during school hours

January 17, 2025

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Cellphones, watches, earbuds restricted in Alabama schools this fall: What you need to know

As the first day of school approaches, Jefferson County Public Schools is gearing up for a complete cellphone ban districtwide.

A big change is coming to New York City public schools beginning this September, aimed at eliminating distractions in the classroom.

Oelke said that she had previously worked at a school with a zero-tolerance cell phone policy. “It was absolutely one of the best teaching years that I have had in over a decade,” Oelke said.

Officials with the Phoenix Elementary School District said they follow "away for the day" guidelines, where students have to turn their phones off once they get to campus.

Anchor Bay schools are going cellphone-free this fall. The district is planning to roll out a new “Away-for-the-Day” device policy at the start of the 2025-26 school year.

Schools that have adopted “away for the day” policies, including those in Colorado, Ohio, Portland and elsewhere, say that the lunchroom is loud again.

Wenatchee Schools to Enforce Cell Phone-Free Policy Starting Fall 2025

Last year, Poughkeepsie City School District implemented an ‘away for the day’ policy at the middle and high school.

The new “away for the day” policy was approved by the district’s governing board Tuesday night.

Anchor Bay Schools calls it the “Away-for-the-Day” device policy, and some parents have told Local 4 that they have safety concerns about it.

'Away for the day' cellphone rule to remain in place in Harrison County (West Virginia) schools

Every school district in Tennessee will have some form of a cellphone ban once school starts in a few weeks due to a new state law.

Ohio private schools don't have to follow the new student cell phone ban. Some are anyway

Under the new policy, Scotia-Glenville middle and high school students will be required to keep their phones in their lockers from the start to the end of the school day. The district has decided against using phone pouches.

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While a new policy has not yet been set, Friendswood ISD officials are inching closer toward an “away for the day” cellphone policy for the 2025-26 school year

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Away for a Day is making schools smartphone-free to improve grades and mental health