Phones away bell to bell, and a real rulebook for AI

What happened

Two policies set the rules families live with. Policy 5516.02 requires internet-enabled devices to be off and stored in a backpack or locker from bell to bell, out of sight in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias and bathrooms, and collected outright during assessments; using a phone to bully or harass, even away from school, can cost a pupil the right to bring one at all. It was adopted in August 2024 and revised twice in 2026, in August and again in September. Policy 2365 covers pupils' use of generative artificial intelligence in schoolwork and requires the district to run an AI Plan naming which schools and year groups may permit it, when a teacher may authorise it, an approved-platform list, annual parental consent, and a list of prohibited uses including passing off generated work as one's own.

Why it matters to families

These are the two rules children meet every day. Matawan-Aberdeen is one of the few districts on this site with a written artificial-intelligence policy at all, so families here can actually find out whether their child may use a chatbot for homework - and the answer depends on a separate AI Plan they should ask to see.

The evidence

Policy 5516.02, titled Smartphones/Mobile Devices, requires devices to 'remain turned off and stored in a student's backpack... or locker from bell-to-bell', bars use in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias and restrooms, provides for collection during academic assessments and for loss of the privilege of bringing a phone where it is used to bully or harass, and carries the dates Adopted 19 August 2024, Revised 24 August 2026, Revised 29 September 2026. Policy 2365, Acceptable Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence, adopted 27 February 2025, requires compliance with a district AI Plan covering permitted schools and grades, staff authorisation, an approval and review process through the superintendent and a coordinator, annual parental consent, an approved-platform list and prohibited uses.

The source