The new PCS cell phone policy prohibits utilization of cell phones by students; this new policy originated with Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The policy has caused consternation among faculty and students.
The new PCS phone policy is as follows:
- During the school hours, students may not have cell phones and/or personal electronic communication devices on their person. These devices include, but are not limited to, smart watches, headphones, personal laptops and other future devices capable of connecting to a smartphone.
- Cell phones or other personal electronic devices must be powered off and stored away in lockers, bookbags or student vehicles for the entire school day.
- Parents and students must use school-based communication outlets during the hours of school operation, including emergencies.
- Students are allowed to use cell phones and/or other electronic devices on the bus traveling to and from school.
- Unauthorized possession and/or use of a cell phone or other personal electronic device as defined above will result in disciplinary action.
The consequences for violating the phone policy start with three days of In-School-Suspension, second offense is one day of Out-Of-School, and the third offense results in cell phone privileges being revoked and three days of Out-Of-School Suspension.
“I approve of the policy,” Mrs. Deborah Maxey, librarian, said.”I think that students use phones in their classes as a crutch, so how do we compare ourselves fairly with other schools if our students are cheating the system? I think it is unfair to the students who are actually studying.”
Mr. Josh Brumfield, PE teacher, agreed.
“It is okay if they’re allowed to check their phones in between classes, but the rules were being abused,” Brumfield said. “Students are addicted to their phones, and their parents didn’t limit them.”
“I think this policy was put in place because it is a known distraction and there has been a big problem with cyber-bullying, and I think that played a big factor in the policy being put in place,” Mr. Zachary Williams, science teacher, said. “This generation of students grew up with faster Internet access then most people grew up with, and they don’t understand how great it is without it. It is refreshing to be without your phone, and they don’t know what that’s like.”
Mr. J Clayton, career academy teacher, agrees. “I love the new policy, I think we should’ve gone even farther!” he said. “What if someone is recording and something embarrassing happens like falling, that can show up later in their life, and they’ll never be able to forget it.”
However, Mr. Riley, a personal finance teacher, disagrees. “I don’t like the new policy, I think it is over the top for students not being allowed to have their phones on them. I believe that the new policy is resulting in more suspensions. It is strict and ridiculous to make a student go cold turkey. I think it’s becoming too much for the parents and students.”
Although the teachers had mixed reviews, the students’ views were consistent.
“I’m not for it [the new policy]. If I bought it [the cellphone] then I should have the freedom to use it.” Ethan Jacobs, sophomore, said. “I also haven’t seen a difference in my classes; people still get on their phones.”
Similarly, Maia Satterfield, freshman, said ,”It hasn’t changed things; people just sneak their phones better.”
“I think it is good to limit it but the policy is too much,” Kayla Showalter, sophomore, said. “I am not for the policy, because if there were an emergency, the students will not have access to their phones. They say go up to the office but if it is a private matter, you want to handle it in a private way,” she said. “I think the policy has had more negative effects because most people are upset and are causing students to lash out more at teachers.”
