Students put their phones away in Yondr cellphone pouches on Sept. 4, 2025, at Steinmetz Freshman Leadership Academy in Schenectady.

Back to school's a little different this year, since New York state launched its bell-to-bell ban on smartphones in public schools. The goal of the initiative is to reduce distractions, letting teachers focus on teaching, not policing phone use, and helping students focus on learning — and not just learning their lessons, but learning how to socialize........

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