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Hello!

I’m Sammy Caiola, gun violence reporter for Chalkbeat Philadelphia.

After much anticipation, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed a “bell-to-bell” cell phone ban that will affect school districts statewide beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.

Until now, Philadelphia schools have had the freedom to make their own phone rules. Superintendent Tony Watlington said a district-wide policy is coming.

The ban applies to all public and private schools, with a few exceptions for students with disabilities, medical needs, and English learners.

Get the details in our story.

Also, Chalkbeat held a virtual discussion last night based on my reporting about formerly incarcerated students and their transition back to school. I wrote a recap, which contains the video recording.

As usual, you can reach our team at [email protected].

Local education coverage is disappearing. Chalkbeat helps families and educators understand what’s changing. We can’t do it without you.

Reading School Board members spent $93K to attend conferences, violated out-of-state travel policies, Spotlight PA

When an invasive fish is also tasty, Maryland schoolkids can help 'eat the problem', NPR

A Penn student journalist is part of a lawsuit against the White House’s ‘ban on free press’, The Philadelphia Inquirer