Cell Phone Policy
PK-12 Phone-Free Schools
In 2024, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an Executive Order calling for restrictions on cell phone use during instructional time in public schools due to increasing evidence that cell phone and social media use has severe negative impacts on students’ educational success and mental wellbeing. That summer, we launched our Phone-Free Schools initiative, banning all phones for students in grades PK through 12 during the school day. Current research shows that social media use distracts students from learning and negatively affects mental and emotional wellbeing. Cell phone use and reliance on social media can be tied to lowered academic achievement, poor behavior choices, anxiety, depression, and loneliness, as well as disengagement in the classroom and in social settings.
We firmly believe that we need to minimize distractions to promote teaching and learning, student mental health, and school safety.
At Fredericksburg City Public Schools:
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PK-5 students may not have phones at school.
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6-12 students will need to lock up their phones in specially designed, magnetized Yondr phone pouches during the school day. At the end of the school day (or if students leave the building early) the pouches will be unlocked at exits.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We want healthy students who are 100% engaged in learning.
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Communication technology is always changing. Basically, we are talking about items that interfere with teaching and learning, relationships, and mental health, including cell phones, smart watches, headphones, etc.
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Yes.
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Before and after school, yes.
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Yes. Students who have medical conditions or special education plans that require a cell phone will be allowed to keep a phone turned on and outside of a Yondr pouch. Families who believe their student may qualify should contact an administrator at the school to set up a meeting.
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Students can email families or make phone calls from the main office.
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Families can email students or call the main office.
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Teachers and staff members should model "off and away" so they can focus on teaching and learning by being fully present. They are expected to keep cell phones on and near them in case of an emergency for communication purposes.
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Students should go to a teacher or staff member. There are also phones in nearly every instructional space.
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Families should rely on factual information from the school division. Currently, FCPS protocols include the frequent use of phone, email, and text notification for sharing information and updates with families.
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Yes. Parents can use ParentSquare to contact a teacher who is supervising the student. Students will have access to StudentSquare and Teams to receive accurate and up-to-date information.
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This hasn't changed from previous years and depends on what the inappropriate behavior is. Consequences could range from suspension to expulsion and may include court or legal action.