Kingsway Regional High School’s first day of school was Sept. 2. For the seniors of the Class of 2027, it was the last first day of high school, while for the freshmen of the Class of 2030, it was the first of many more firsts of high school.
The new school year came with changes of its own.
On Jan.8, 2026, former Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill that changed school life as it had been for New Jersey students. The bill introduced a statewide cellphone ban, specifically creating a bell-to-bell ban on student cell phone use in K-12 public schools for the 2026-2027 school year.
Suddenly, Kingsway needed to reevaluate its cellphone policy.
Kingsway has begun utilizing an “Off and Away” procedure for its students. Each student is assigned a location where their cellphone is to remain during the day. Students are not permitted to utilize the cellphone as well as other personal internet-enabled devices throughout the day.
For students all over New Jersey, this was and is a procedure that is requiring time to get used to. Time to become a routine.
Some students claim the lack of cellphones has improved productivity, academic motivation, and new connections. Others believe the extreme routine does more harm than good.
As a whole Kingsway students and students across New Jersey are not outraged because of the policy itself. In fact, Generation Z is culturally one of the most self-aware generations, especially surrounding their relationship with technology.
Our youth’s biggest hope is that statewide policies, like the Bell-to-Bell ban bill, can be developed with youth input in mind. It’s time our state, even our country, moves towards creating legislation directly involving youth WITH youth.
Through the Board of Education student representative initiative, Kingsway welcomes students to do just that. As the year continues, Kingsway students will be able to share their opinions on these policies and bring about real change. Maybe even statewide change.
But for now, it’s time to disconnect and enjoy the school year ahead.
By Nethiri Umashanger
