The Fairfax County Public School system is considering new staff recommendations for high school students’ cellphone usage and storage. The new policy would prohibit phone usage throughout the entire school day, with the exception of lunch time. During lunch, students would be allowed access to their phones in designated areas.
Currently, FCPS high school students are not allowed to access their phones during class times.
The new proposal includes these additional guidelines:
- Allow for confiscation of cellphones as a disciplinary measure. Phones are relinquished at the end of the school day.
- A student cannot be suspended, expelled, or removed from class as a consequence of any violation of such policies.
- Discontinue any use of cellphones as an instructional tool.
- As with the current cellphone policies, appropriate accommodations would be in place for students with IEPs, 504s, or medical conditions.
The proposal also requires that all schools use some sort of phone storage system. However, it lets the schools decide the best option for their individual environment.
FCPS staff plan to present the proposal to the School Board on March 11, according to InsideNOVA.
Last year, Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order mandating the Virginia Department of Education to come up with a policy where public schools would be cellphone-free. NoVA school systems have implemented the new rules this school year.
Arlington Public Schools implemented a districtwide ban on phone usage for the school day, and high schools can access their phones at set times in designated areas only. Loudoun County Public Schools requires high school students to place phones in designated areas. Phones can only be used during class if approved by a teacher for instructional purposes. Prince William County Public Schools bans student phone use throughout the school day. Phones must be turned off and stored, with some exceptions for students needing special accommodations.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
