STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The 2025-2026 school year is just days away, as thousands of New York City — and Staten Island — students prepare to return to classrooms.

As students across the borough head back to public and Catholic schools on Thursday, Sept. 4, here are four key topics impacting the upcoming academic year.

Cellphone ban

As part of a new state law, New York public schools will prohibit the use of cellphones and other internet-enabled devices throughout the entire school day starting on the first day of school.

As part of this bell-to-bell cellphone ban, New York City public schools are required to create their own policies on how they will ban and store student phones, such as using locked pouches. Policies will also include at least one method for parents to contact a stude

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