August 26, 2026

Dear Irvington Public Schools Staff, Scholars, and Families:

As we prepare to welcome our scholars and staff back for the 2026-2027 school year, Irvington Public Schools remains steadfast in our commitment to providing learning environments that are focused, engaging, safe, and designed to maximize every scholar’s opportunity for academic and personal success.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, New Jersey schools will implement bell-to-bell expectations regarding students’ personal internet-enabled electronic devices. In Irvington Public Schools, these expectations will apply to scholars in Grades Six through Twelve. In accordance with state requirements and district procedures, scholars will not be permitted to use personal internet-enabled electronic devices during the regular school day, except in circumstances permitted by law or district policy.

The bell-to-bell expectation begins with the opening bell and continues through dismissal. It applies throughout the school day, including:

  • Classroom instruction and learning activities
  • Hallway transitions and passing periods
  • Lunch and cafeteria periods
  • Study halls, intervention, and support periods
  • Assemblies and school-wide activities
  • Electives and enrichment opportunities
  • Other school-sponsored activities occurring during the regular school day

Why Bell-to-Bell Matters

This initiative is about much more than limiting the use of cell phones and personal devices. It is about protecting instructional time, increasing scholar engagement, reducing distractions, encouraging meaningful face-to-face interactions, and creating school environments where teaching and learning remain our primary focus.

Every minute matters.

When our scholars enter our schools each morning, we want them fully present academically, socially, and emotionally. Removing unnecessary digital distractions provides our scholars with greater opportunities to communicate with one another, engage with their teachers, participate in classroom discussions, develop meaningful relationships, and take full advantage of the educational experiences available to them.

We recognize that technology is an important part of today’s educational landscape. Irvington Public Schools will continue to embrace purposeful and responsible technology integration when digital tools are intentionally selected and authorized by educators to enhance teaching and learning. The bell-to-bell expectation specifically addresses personal internet-enabled electronic devices and does not prohibit appropriate instructional technology authorized by the school or district.

What This Means for Scholars

Scholars will be expected to follow all school and district procedures regarding personal internet-enabled electronic devices from the opening bell through dismissal. Staff members will provide clear expectations and consistent reinforcement, and each school will communicate procedures regarding the storage and handling of personal devices.

We expect our scholars to arrive each day ready to learn, ready to engage, and ready to win. The school day is an opportunity to grow academically, build relationships, discover new interests, and prepare for the future. We want our scholars fully engaged in those opportunities.

What This Means for Families

We ask our families to be our partners in reinforcing these expectations at home. We recognize and respect that parents and guardians may need to communicate with their children during the school day. Routine communication, however, should occur through established school procedures rather than through a scholar’s personal electronic device.

In the event of an emergency or urgent family matter, parents and guardians should contact the appropriate school office. School personnel will assist with communication and ensure that established safety procedures are followed.

We also encourage families to discuss the bell-to-bell expectations with their children before the first day of school so that every scholar understands the importance of these expectations and arrives prepared to comply.

A Shared Commitment to Scholar Success

The success of this initiative requires a strong partnership among our scholars, families, teachers, administrators, support staff, and the entire Irvington community. Our objective is not simply compliance. Our goal is to create schools where scholars are present, connected, engaged, and able to maximize every minute of instructional time.

As we begin another exciting school year, I ask our entire school community to embrace this initiative as another important step in our continued work of changing the narrative and building our community, one student at a time.

In Irvington, bell-to-bell means learning from bell-to-bell. It means being present. It means being engaged. It means connecting with one another. And, most importantly, it means giving every scholar every opportunity to succeed.

Thank you to our scholars, families, staff, and community for your continued partnership and commitment to Irvington Public Schools.

Are you ready to win?

I am and together, we will continue to show everyone what winning looks like.

In Partnership,

Dr. April Vauss
Superintendent of Schools