COMMUNITY LION'S ROAR

On January 8, 2026, Governor Murphy signed P.L. 2025, c. 195 into law. This legislation requires all New Jersey public school districts to prohibit students from using internet-enabled devices during the school day beginning in September 2026. This requirement is being commonly referred to as the “Bell-to-Bell” device ban and will apply in all Lindenwold schools.

We encourage families to begin speaking with their children now about this new statewide requirement and what it will mean for all students during the school day. We strongly encourage students to keep all internet-enabled devices at home. This includes cell phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and similar devices. However, if a student chooses to bring a device to school due to a student needing the device before or after school hours, the devices must be turned off and stored in the student’s locker or bookbag for the entire school day. Devices may not be accessed at any time during the regular school day, including during instructional class time, lunch, transitions between periods, or time spent in the hallways.

DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, INTERNET ENABLED DEVICES MUST BE TURNED OFF / POWERED DOWN.

Students who are observed with a phone or reported to be using or possessing a device NOT IN THE POWERED DOWN status, during the school day will be considered in violation of the District’s Code of Conduct. The student will be required to surrender the device immediately to an administrator. A parent or guardian must then retrieve the device from the school’s main office. Devices will not be returned directly to students, regardless of the student’s age.

Refusal to surrender a device upon request will be considered insubordination. A student who refuses to surrender an internet-enabled device will be sent home, and the incident will be recorded as a suspension. It is very important that families discuss this law and the consequences of violating it with their children.

Please also ensure that you provide reliable emergency contacts—individuals who are able and willing to assist when called. It is essential that you or your emergency contact arrive at the school to pick your student up within 60 minutes of being notified. A parental timely response is essential, and the District defines a timely response to be within 60 minutes distractions.

Limited exceptions may be provided for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to monitor a documented medical condition, such as diabetes, epilepsy, COPD, or another qualifying health condition.

Any medical exception must be included in an approved Individualized Health Care Plan and an IEP or Section 504 Plan. The school will establish a clear, approved process for accessing the personal internet-enabled device. This process will be communicated to the student, parent or guardian, and appropriate staff members and documented in the student’s Health Care plan.

Students who experience a health condition that may be supported by communicating with a parent or guardian as per medical documentation, the student may be eligible for school-based communication support plan when recommended by a physician. However, this support does not include unrestricted access to a personal internet-enabled device.

The District is fully capable of providing a structured communication support plan through the guidance office, nurse’s office, Child Study Team, main office, or another designated school office. The specific process must also be documented in the student’s Section 504 Plan and supported by a physician.

Parents and guardians should not call or text their child’s personal device during the school day. Students are required to keep all internet-enabled devices turned off and stored in a bookbag or locker until the school day ends. As a result, students will not be able to respond to calls or messages during school hours.

Students are also not permitted to use their personal devices to contact home during the school day. Use of an internet-enabled device during school hours is a violation of the District’s Code of Conduct and New Jersey law.

When you need to reach your child, please contact the school’s main office. If a student needs to contact someone at home, they may ask for assistance through the main office, guidance office, Child Study Team, or another designated school office.

We appreciate the cooperation of our students and families as Lindenwold prepares to implement this new statewide requirement. Our goal is to ensure that students can focus on learning during the school day while still receiving the medical, emotional, and communication supports they need.

The District utilizes the STOP IT APP & STOP IT Website to permit members of our community (family, friends, students, etc.) report concerns anonymously. All anonymous reports are shared with District administration upon submission. You do NOT have to identify yourself by name or community affiliation when reporting a situation.

All students can use their school internet enabled devices to access this resources. Access to this information is found on our main webpage. You can also use this link:

https://appweb.stopitsolutions.com/login