A ‘fireside chat’ featuring Virginia First Lady Suzanne Youngkin and Dr. Jonathan Haidt, the author of The Anxious Generation is scheduled for this week. The discussions will center on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order to restrict the use of cell phones in public schools.
As we’ve reported, the Virginia Department of Education released draft guidelines in August and is expected to release a final draft this month.
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The draft calls for cell phones to be off and away “bell-to-bell,” meaning phones should be turned off and put away from the moment the first bell rings until the moment the last bell rings. This includes during lunchtime and in-between classes for all students, even in high school. Students with certain medical needs may also obtain a medical exemption to the bell-to-bell policy, as highlighted by school nurses, pediatricians, and healthcare officials.
Many school systems already have their own policies, which vary greatly. You can see where they stand in this list.
The livestream is from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 and many local school divisions are hosting streaming events. Some are holding their own discussions starting at 8 p.m. after the livestream event.
- Alleghany Highlands Public Schools will be a streaming video site at the AHPS Central Office at 100 Central Circle in Low Moor. AHPS is welcoming guests from Craig and Rockbridge counties to this event. For more information, contact AHPS at (540) 863-1800.
- Amherst County Public Schools
- Botetourt County Public Schools will make the broadcast available at Buchanan and Greenfield Elementary Schools.
- Carroll County County Public Schools is set to hold an event at Carroll County Middle School.
- Craig County families are invited to attend the streaming site at Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. (see above info)
- Danville Public Schools is scheduled to hold an event at Bonner Middle School.
- Floyd County Public School’s event will be held at Floyd County High School.
- Franklin County Public Schools will have its own discussion at the Gereau Center for Applied Technology & Career Exploration at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.
- Galax residents can head to Galax High School for discussion.
- Henry County Public Schools will facilitate community conversations in the Summerlin Room of the HCPS School Board Office. They will broadcast the event live from 7 to 8 p.m. and discussion will begin at 8 p.m.
- Parents are invited to Highland High School for discussion.
- Lexington community members looking to be a part of the conversation can head to Lylburn Downing Middle School.
- In Lynchburg, a discussion will be held at E.C. Glass High School.
- Patrick County High School is set to host a discussion regarding the policies as well.
- Pulaski County is hosting families at Pulaski County Middle School (4396 Lee Highway). Afterwards beginning at 8 p.m., Superintendent Rob Graham will “lead community conversations with parents, educators, students and families to create best practices for the use of cell phones and social media” in and out of school.
- Radford will host an event at Radford High School.
- Roanoke County is set to lead a discussion at Northside High School.
- Roanoke City is hosting a livestream at Patrick Henry High School, followed by a group discussion for students, families, and staff. The event runs from 7-9 p.m.
- Rockbridge County families are invited to attend the streaming site at Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. (see above info)
- There will also be an event held at Salem High School.
If you know of an event we should add to the list, email news@wsls.com.
This all comes as the Virginia Department of Education is set to release its final guidelines on cell phone use in schools Monday, Sept. 16.
Local school divisions are set to adopt cell-phone-free education policies and procedures by Jan. 1, 2025.