Henrico County, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Amid an uptick in issues, Henrico county school leaders have made the decision to modify the cell phone policy at Fairfield Middle School.
Students at the school will have to keep their cell phones off and away all day, starting April 7 until May 16. The new rule only applies to Fairfield Middle School students, who returned from spring break this week.
The policy was changed to emphasize the importance of focusing on academics while at school – particularly during a time when students will be going through state Standards of Learning testing.
“We are experiencing an increase in student cell phone issues. It is imperative that we all work together and remind our students of the expectations and the importance of focusing on academics,” the school said in a statement.
Here’s a look at the changes:
• Cell phones will be off and away for the entire day.
• In the event a student doesn’t follow the policy, the phone will be confiscated and held until parent pickup between 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Phones and any other confiscated items will no longer be returned to students at the end of the day. School officials said this practice has been "abused" and will no longer be an option.