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Dear Ramapo Indian Hills Families,

One of our most important responsibilities is to create schools where students can be fully present, connected to others, and ready to learn. Policy 5516 and Regulation 5516, required by New Jersey law and effective September 8, 2026, will help us reduce distractions and set the same clear expectations at both high schools.

For this plan to work, students need to hear the same message from every adult, both at home and at school. We are asking many students to build a new habit while unlearning an old one. Because a new routine can take about 30 days of practice before it begins to feel natural, patience, support, and consistency will be especially important during the first few weeks.

Student Expectations

• From the first bell through dismissal, students’ personal phones, smartwatches, tablets, and other internet-connected devices must be powered off and stored out of sight in a backpack, bag, pocket, locker, etc. 
• This rule applies everywhere on campus, including classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, study halls, auditoriums, libraries, bathrooms, and outdoor areas on our campuses.
• Students may use personal devices before the start of Block 1, after dismissal, and on the bus while traveling to and from school.
• Earbuds and headphones may be used only with a school-issued device and with staff permission during the school day.

A Calm, Consistent Response

Our staff will teach the routine, give clear reminders, and respond in a calm, fair, and helpful way. We want students to learn and follow the new routine—not turn a phone sighting into a power struggle. Repeated choices not to follow the rule will be handled in a manner consistent with Regulation 5516.

Approved Exceptions

Some students may have an approved exception for a medical, learning, translation, caregiving, legal, or other important need that aligns with state- approved exceptions. The school will follow each student-approved plan while protecting the student’s privacy. Requests for a phone exception are available on our website; please review the form carefully for understanding and completeness.

Communication with Families

If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call the school’s main office. We also ask families not to call or text a student’s personal device during the school day. If a student needs to contact home, a staff member will help the student use a school-approved way to do so.  

Resources and Next Steps

For full details, please visit the Phone Free Classrooms page on our website, where you will find information that explains our district’s implementation of the law, approved exceptions, and how our schools will respond when the rule is not followed.

• A video of the August 25 Community Webinar, 
• FAQs (based on community inquiries)
• Additional resources

Away We Go

Our students will look to all of us to help them build this new rhythm. If we are patient, consistent, and united, they will adjust—and our classrooms and school community will be stronger for it. Thank you for your partnership and for helping us build this new routine with clarity, consistency, and care.
 

Yours in Education,

Shauna C. DeMarco

Superintendent of Schools