As students get ready to go back to school, they should prepare for a change to their cellphone habits, too.
Last month, a state law requiring every school district to adopt a policy limiting or prohibiting cellphone use went into effect. Some Stanislaus County districts have approved new cellphone policies that meet the state’s expectations, while others already had policies in place.
In June, Modesto City Schools passed a full-day cellphone ban for students of all grade levels. We looked at the cellphone policies for other districts in the area.
Turlock Unified School District
The Turlock school district will have a new cellphone policy for the 2026-27 school year. The district and Superintendent David Lattig gathered feedback throughout last year and approved a policy that “aims to minimize distractions, promote student wellness and encourage students to be more engaged in both their learning and their connections with others.”
Grades TK-8
Students in these grades may not use cellphones at any point during the school day. This includes lunch, recess, before or after school, and in daycare. If a student brings a mobile device to school, it must be silenced and stored out of sight in a backpack or bag.
Grades 9-12
High school students can use a mobile device during lunch, but the district encourages students to “minimize device use on campus.” Devices must be silenced and stored out of sight during class and instructional time…