Away for the Day - What LTPS Families Need to Know
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Beginning this fall, all public school districts in New Jersey are required to implement a bell-to-bell cell phone policy. At Lawrence Township Public Schools, this aligns with our district's already existing Away for the Day initiative, which is designed to create classrooms where students are fully engaged, connected with one another, and focused on learning.
Research continues to show that reducing distractions from personal devices during the school day helps students improve attention, strengthen relationships, and support their overall well-being. Our goal is to provide an environment where every student can be fully present from the first bell to the last.
The good news is that LTPS is already ahead of the curve. Away for the Day has already been in place across our schools during instructional time, and the expansion of this policy applies primarily to the high school to include passing periods, lunch, study halls, and other supervised school activities during the school day.
What "Away for the Day" Means
Students may bring personal devices to school but must keep them powered off and stored throughout the entire school day, from arrival to dismissal. Storage expectations may vary by school and grade level. For example, students may be expected to keep devices in backpacks, lockers, or another designated storage location identified by their teachers or principals.
This includes:
- Cell phones
- Smartwatches
- Tablets
- Wireless earbuds or headphones
- Any other personal internet-enabled device
When Your Child May Still Use a Device
The law does not leave students without options when there is a real need. Your child will still be permitted to use a personal device when: it is part of their IEP or 504 plan; it is needed for a documented health condition; it is needed for translation; your child is a caregiver routinely responsible for a family member; a teacher approves it for a specific classroom activity; it is required by law; or there is an emergency.
Families who believe their child requires an accommodation should contact their child's school so appropriate arrangements can be made.
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How Families Can Help
Your partnership is essential to the success of Away for the Day. Before school begins, we encourage families to:
- Talk with your child about the new expectations.
- Remind them to power off and put away their devices before entering school.
- Contact your child's school if you have questions or believe your child may qualify for an accommodation.
Together, we can create classrooms where students are engaged, connected, and ready to learn every day.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support for our Away for the Day initiative across Lawrence Township Public Schools. We look forward to another outstanding year of distraction free learning, growth, and success.