Due to students being overly distracted with their phones and safety concerns, VA governor Glenn Youngkin put out an executive order to prohibit student phone use in school by Jan. 1 2025. This policy includes phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and any other electronic or Bluetooth devices. This is to keep students focused and safe.
This policy was implemented at Gloucester High School on Aug. 26, 2024 and will last through the rest of this school year. The policy does not only apply to GHS, but all schools across the state.
If someone’s on their phone in the hallways, it could easily be a safety hazard, and they could run into someone because they are not paying attention, leading to an injury. Most kids do not pay attention to their surroundings when using a phone while walking. The phone policy also helps kids stay focused all day instead of mindlessly scrolling.
The policy applies in the school building and on the buses during school times, which means electronic devices should be off and in the student’s backpack or not visible. In some circumstances, if a student has a medical condition and uses an app on their phone for such a condition, students will be permitted access to it.
Since this policy has been enforced, the students have been working better in school and have been better at concentrating and staying focused. If a teacher or staff member sees a student using their phone during school time, it will be taken away from them and taken to the office. The first time this happens the student will be able to pick it up at the end of the day from the office. If caught with a phone again or guardian will have to pick it up from the office.
This policy does not apply to teachers but they are also encouraged to keep their phones out of sight and out of use.
