Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this letter finds you and your family well as we prepare for another outstanding school year!

I’m writing to inform you of a new statewide law, the Alabama FOCUS Act, which was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey and will take effect at the beginning of the 2025–2026 school year. This legislation includes important provisions that directly affect student cell phone and communicative device use during the school day in all K-12 public schools.

What Is the FOCUS Act?

The FOCUS Act (Freeing Our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety) was approved to eliminate distractions during instructional time by prohibiting student use of cell phones and personal electronic communication devices during the school day. The law defines the “instructional day” as the time between the first bell to begin the day until the last bell to end the day.

What communicative devices are covered by this law?

Wireless communication devices include: cell phones, smart watches, tablet computers, laptop computers, pagers, bluetooth headphones and earbuds. School-issued Chromebooks will continue to be allowed for student instructional use during the school day. 

Exceptions to the law:

• Emergency situations involving a threat to health or safety

• Students with documented medical needs or individualized education plans (IEPs/504s)

• Specific educational uses under direct supervision of a teacher

How will school communications work?

Homewood City Schools will continue to use ParentSquare and StudentSquare for communication. Homewood Middle School and Homewood High School students will be able to access StudentSquare from their Chromebooks during the school day for extracurricular communication from school personnel. Parents will continue to be able to communicate with school personnel through ParentSquare. Any check-out or drop-off needs during the school day can be communicated through the front office.

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Homewood City Schools’ Procedures by School Level:

Elementary School (K–5)

• Students are discouraged from bringing communication devices to school.

• If brought, devices must be turned off and stored in a backpack at the start of the day for storage until dismissal.

• All communication during the day must go through the school office or ParentSquare communication with the teacher.
  
  

Homewood Middle School (6–8)

• Students may bring devices to school but must be turned off and stored in lockers during the school day.

Homewood High School (9–12)

• Students must keep devices turned off and out of sight during instructional day and may be stored in backpacks.

Any violation of these procedures will result in progressive discipline aligned with the Student Code of Conduct.

Homewood City Schools is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen devices brought to school.

Next Steps for Parents

1. Talk with your child about the new rules and your expectations for responsible device use.

2. Ensure your child knows how to follow the school's procedures for storing devices.

3. Notify the school if your child has a medical or academic accommodation that may require communication device access.

4. Contact your child’s principal if you have any questions or concerns.
   
   

Thank you for your support as we work together to create safe and focused learning environments for every student. We are committed to making this transition as smooth and successful as possible.

Sincerely,

Dr. Justin Hefner
Superintendent
Homewood City Schools