Mobile Device Policy

In September 2024, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3216, called the Phone-Free School Act. By July 1, 2026, all school districts must adopt a policy limiting or prohibiting the use of smartphones during the school day.

Over the past two years, NUSD has engaged with families, students, and teachers through surveys and discussions regarding school smartphone usage. That collective feedback matched research showing that mobile devices can be a major source of distraction for students during school hours and can negatively impact learning and a student’s experience at school.

At the June 25th, NUSD Board meeting, the Board approved a student mobile device policy, NUSD Board Policy 5138. This policy applies to, but is not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, headphones, Bluetooth devices, and other mobile communication devices used by students to communicate with others. 

Starting the 2025-26 school year, the policy is as follows:

Elementary, TK-8, and NMS: Students may not use or wear mobile communication devices once they have entered campus for the instructional day, including extended day learning programs. Devices must be turned off and placed out of sight until they leave campus for the day. Students who need to call a parent/guardian may use the phones located in the administrative office. 

High schools: Students may not use or wear mobile communication devices during instructional time.

To help ensure students are aware of these changes, teachers will be reviewing the slides below with students at the start of the school year: