Phones banned bell to bell from the first day of school

What happened

On August 25, 2026 the board suspended Bylaw 0131, which normally requires a policy to be read twice before adoption, so that Policy 5516, Student Use of Personal Internet-Enabled Devices, could be adopted in a single reading and take effect with the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The policy prohibits student use of personal internet-enabled devices on school grounds during the school day under N.J.S.A. 18A:36-40b and the Commissioner of Education's guidelines. It defines bell-to-bell as the period from the opening bell to the dismissal bell and says explicitly that this includes the time between class periods and lunch. A personal internet-enabled device is defined broadly to cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smart glasses and social media applications. District-issued devices used for educational purposes are excluded, as are basic non-internet-enabled phones and two-way radios.

Why it matters to families

This changes the ordinary school day for every Westfield student, and it took effect immediately rather than after the usual two-reading process, so families had little notice. Passing time and lunch are covered, not just class time, which is the part parents most often misunderstand. Parents who rely on reaching a child by phone during the day need to know the rule and the exceptions.

The evidence

The August 25, 2026 agenda and minutes carry Policies item A, approving the suspension of Bylaw 0131 and the adoption of Policy 5516, Student Use of Personal Internet Enabled Devices, to coincide with the start of school. The full policy text is attached to that meeting's packet and is also published in the district's policy portal, where it is recorded as created in December 2006 and last edited in August 2026, with the prohibition, the bell-to-bell definition including passing time and lunch, and the device definitions and exclusions.

The source