To be in line with House Bill 1481’s prohibition of personal electronic devices during school day, North East ISD now requires all students to turn off and store their cellphones and other electronic devices, such as smartwatches and tablets, in class time beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

The overview: According to district documents, the Texas Education Agency sent additional instructions informing districts that they could define what a “school day” means. Using these guidelines, NEISD defined the “school day” as instructional class time and only requires students to turn off and store their personal devices in class. Students will be allowed to use phones during nonclassroom time, such as passing periods and lunch as well as before and after school.

However, according to district documents, this policy is a minimum standard, and individual NEISD schools may implement more restrictive policies. The district will enforce this rule, and consequences may include the confiscation of the device. Policies will be outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

A new all-in-one childcare facility, workspace and coffee shop is coming soon to the north side of the Alamo City.

What residents should know: CoPlay Cove is expecting to debut at 2230 TPC Parkway early next year, Owner Deepika Mittal told Community Impact.
It's situated behind the In-N-Out Burger, just off of Hwy. 281.

The brand new facility is designed specifically for working parents with young children, Mittal said.

What are the options? CoPlay Cove will have a variety of spaces for both children and their parents to utilize while working remotely or away from the office.

“It combines a co-working space with a co-playing model,” Mittal said.

The proposed building will feature in-house daycare services, workstations for parents and a cafe.

"Our mission is to create a space where both parents and children can flourish, find support, and connect with others," Mittal said on the business's website.

• 2230 TPC Parkway, San Antonio

From a ban on personal electronic devices in North East ISD to a closer look at an authentic British cafe and restaurant in North San Antonio, check out the top stories from Community Impact in the San Antonio metro the week of Sept. 22-26.

📵 North East ISD bans electronic devices during class time

📚 Boerne ISD highlights staff acquisition, retention

🏫 New Braunfels Christian Academy makes headway on $15M academic building

🛍️ Ollie's Bargain Outlet opening soon in New Braunfels

☕️ The Olde English Tea Shoppe & Cafe brings the taste of Britain to North San Antonio 

The Nov. 4 election is coming up, and so is the deadline to register to vote. Eligible Texans must register by Oct. 6 to cast votes in various local races and weigh in on 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.

What to know: Texans who need to register to vote must submit a paper application. The application is available here and must be printed, signed and mailed to the election office in the voter’s county of residence.

Texas does not allow online voter registration, unless residents are updating, renewing or replacing a Texas driver’s license or ID card.

Zooming in: To be eligible to register to vote, an individual must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Reside in the county they apply to vote in
• Be at least 18 years old by Election Day
• Not have been declared mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a court