Bronx PEP representative explains new state "distraction-free" school policy and local rollout

Bernita Parsons, the Bronx representative to the Panel for Education Policy (PEP), told Community Board 11 —ducation, Culture & Services Committee members that governor-led state action this school year established a "distraction-free" requirement for New York City public schools and that schools were required to communicate their implementation plans to parents immediately.

"As of today, all school were to provide all parents via communication their policy of how the schools individually were gonna be compliant to the New York state law of the distraction free zone, and that is of all electronic devices, personal electronic devices," Parsons said.

Parsons said schools have adopted a range of practical approaches to comply: pouch or locker storage systems, and in at least one case a Ziploc system at Walton High School. She said the city chancellor had urged schools to maintain clear, open lines of communication with parents and that schools will use short probationary enforcement…