COMMUNITY LION'S ROAR
Back-to-School
New Jersey “Bell-to-Bell” Device Ban Begins September 2026
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 commonly referred to as the “Bell-to-Bell” device ban and will apply in all Lindenwold schools.
This is not just a Lindenwold policy; it is now New Jersey law.
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.
Students who are observed with a phone or reported to be using or possessing a device 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 must arrive at the school to pick your student up within 60 minutes of being notified. A timely response is essential, and the District defines a timely response to be within 60 minutes.
Note: Limited exceptions may be provided for students who require an internet-enabled device to monitor a documented medical condition, such as diabetes. Any medical exception must be included in an approved health care plan or Section 504 Plan. A school-approved process for accessing the internet-enabled device will be established, clearly communicated, and included in the student’s health care plan.
For students who are in need of communicating with a parent or guardian, school-based communication supports will be available through the guidance office, Child Study Team, and main office.
We appreciate the cooperation of our students and families as Lindenwold prepares to implement this new statewide law. It is imperative that student learning once again becomes the primary focus of students’ time during the school day, free from cell phone use and outside distractions.
Early Childhood Center (ECC): Grades Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade
Principal: Mr. Jeffrey Patterson
Assistant Principal: Ms. Melanie Martin
PK: 9:40 am - 3:40 pm
K & 1st Grade: 9:05 am - 3:40 pm
School 4: 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade
Principal: Dr. Martinez-Preyor
8:35 am - 3:10 pm
School 5: 4th Grade, 5th Grade
Principal: Ms. Amber Callow
8:25 am - 3:00 pm
LMS: 6th Grade - 8th Grade
Principal: Mr. Joe Tabasco
Assistant Principal: Ms. Jennifer Ruffino
Assistant Principal: Mr. Ryan Strothers
7:40 am - 2:15 pm
LHS: 9th Grade – 12th Grade
Principal: Mr. Fred Geardino
Assistant Principal: Mr. Ron DiMattia
Assistant Principal: Ms. Dina Holmes
7:15 am - 2:00 pm
It is essential that your contact information remains current, as the school primarily communicates with families via email, text, and phone.
Please also ensure that you provide reliable emergency contacts—individuals who are able and willing to assist when called. For example, if your child becomes ill, either you or your emergency contact must arrive at the school to pick them up within 60 minutes of being notified.
This same expectation applies if the school contacts you due to social-emotional, behavioral, or physical health concerns. A timely response is essential, and the District defines a timely response to be within 60 minutes.
September 9th:
Preschool Early Childhood Center Open House: 6 pm
September 10th:
Kindergarten & 1st Grade Early Childhood Center Open House: 6 pm
September 11th:
Grade 9 Orientation (9:45 am)
September 14th:
First day of school for all students
September 17th:
LHS Open House
Twilight Open House
September 22nd:
School 4 (Grades 2 & 3) Open House
September 23rd:
School 5 (Grades 4 & 5) Back-to-School Open House
September 24th:
LMS (Grades 6 - 8) Open House
POLICY: 5511
The Lindenwold School District has established a dress code policy for all students to follow. It is important that the following are considered:
- Pajama pants are not permitted to be worn during the school day.
- Shirts must cover one's back and abdomen region. Crop tops are not permitted to be worn during the school day.
- Hoodies, head wraps, and hats may not be worn in school during the school day. (This is a school safety issue as we do need to see everyone's full faces when in a school building.)
Please take time to review the Board Policy to ensure you child's choice of school clothing aligns with District expectations. If your child is in need to clothing support, please let us know. Please inform your child's teacher, building administration, guidance counselor, or a representative from the Central Office and we are happy to assist you and your family.
The District's Safety Specialist, Ms. Adrienne McManis, has continued her dedicated focus on the safety of our staff and students throughout the Lindenwold School District. You can reach her using this email address: amcmanis@lindenwold.k12.nj.us.
Please take some time to review the below important safety measures:
Identification:
One measure will include the requirement that ALL students, staff, approved guests, and substitutes are required to wear a school issued ID each day. Students in grades 4 - 12 will be required to wear their ID on a lanyard every day and our elementary student IDs will be secured to their backpacks.
On the first day of school, students in Grades 4 through high school will receive a temporary ID on the in homeroom. Permanent IDs will be provided following school picture days, which will occur later in the fall. Students will be required to WEAR their ID tag lanyard each day.
Food Delivery Services (Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc.):
Food delivery services will be denied, and student orders will be turned away from any of our schools during normal business hours. Please be aware, if this results in the loss of student money, the student assumed that risk. This is a violation of school district safety procedures.
Side Door Access:
Students opening side doors for unauthorized guests (family or friends) and food delivery services will receive consequences as doing so compromises the safety of all staff and students within the building.
ECC & School 4 - First Day of School Information:
Elementary Students will be mailed a name tag in their “Welcome Back to School” informational mailing in late August. Mailings will take place around 8/26 and you should receive your information no later than 8/30.
Students will then receive their permanent ID tag which will be connected to their book bag on the first day of school. Please leave this tag connected to your child’s bookbag for the entire year, as it will assist in the dismissal process each day.
School 5, LMS, and LHS Information:
ALL grade 4- 12 students will be required to wear their IDs starting on day 1 of school, September 14th. This visual identifier will help school staff quickly know who has been approved to be inside our schools as well as on our school property. Bus drivers will also require these IDs to properly identify students on their bus.
Head Coverings:
Students may NOT wear hoods or head coverings (hats, ball caps, fashion hats, head wraps, etc.) of any kind during the school day. Head coverings compromise our ability to visually identify students / staff/ guest faces on our camera system. Disregarding this guideline is considered a violation of student/staff/school safety procedures. (Exception: A religious exemption regarding head coverings will be granted; however, documentation and a meeting with administration will be required prior to receiving an approval.)
Note: Often students prefer a head covering when he/she is in need of a haircut. If your child is in need of support in this area, please reach out! We have a significant number of resources that we can access, and we want all of our students to be comfortable and feel good about themselves.
Please review the District information regarding the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Reporting Process (HIB). Reports may be shared with ANY District Staff Member; however, the following individuals are always available to assist you:
Dr. Kristin P O'Neil - Superintendent
ECC Principal:
JPatterson@lindenwold.k12.nj.us
School 4 Principal:
Smartinez-preyor@lindenwold.k12.nj.us
School 5 Principal:
agresik-callow@lindenwold.k12.nj.us
LMS Principal:
LHS Principal:
FGeardino@lindenwold.k12.nj.us
District HIB Specialist
All complaints & concerns are taken very seriously and thoroughly investigated. Additional information may be found on our District webpage along with our anonymous reporting system.
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.
Access to this information is found on our main webpage. You can also use this link:
At the time of employment, all Lindenwold staff members undergo a comprehensive and required criminal background check prior to employment.
Furthermore, the District adheres to P.L. 2018 c.5. (N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7-6 et. seq.), which has been in effect since June 1, 2018. This law requires all NJ Districts to conduct a 20-year review of each prospective' candidate's employment history. Lindenwold contacts all employers in which applicant was employed in a position that had direct contact with children to determine if the prospective employee has any pending or substantiated allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct over the past 20 years.
Additionally, as part of a Memorandum of Agreement with the schools, both the Lindenwold Police Department and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office provide ongoing notifications to school districts regarding any reportable offenses involving individuals who work with children.
Our Commitment to Student Safety and Due Process:
The safety and well-being of our students remain the Lindenwold School District’s highest priority.
When the District receives a report alleging inappropriate conduct by a staff member, a District protocol is immediately implemented to ensure that the matter is investigated thoroughly and impartially. The protocol will include communication with the families of the students involved. Depending on the circumstances, the protocol may include placing the identified staff member on administrative leave while the investigation is conducted, and collaborating with the Lindenwold Police Department, the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, and other appropriate agencies.
When an outside agency assumes responsibility for an investigation, the District respects that agency’s authority and avoids actions that could interfere with their process; this includes providing commentary. Placing a staff member on an administrative leave is a standard and precautionary measure and should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt against that staff member. (This is a standard protocol to serve the best interests of everyone during this time period.) The District takes every allegation seriously while also respecting the legal rights of all involved.
Even the thought of an inappropriate situation with a student can bring about stressful and upsetting reactions by all students, families, staff members, and the broader school community. The most responsible way to protect all parties is to allow the established investigative process to proceed and to refrain from speculation. Gossip, rumors, incomplete information - even if shared on social media with the best of intentions — can cause significant and unnecessary harm to students, families, employees, and the community.
We ask all members of the Lindenwold community to follow the “See Something, Say Something” motto and report any concerns regarding student safety. We also ask community members to respond with patience, grace, and respect for the confidentiality and due process required while the appropriate agencies complete their work.
Please respect the process.
