Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - A bell-to-bell cell phone police could be coming to Richmond Public Schools.
A stricter cell phone policy for the district was presented to the school board Monday, and approval was recommended. The plan would align with Virginia Department of Education guidelines that essentially prohibit students at all grade levels from using their phones during the school day.
After conducting surveys, RPS officials concluded that the plan would help combat distractions in the classroom.
“We’re making a recommendation to the policy committee that this be added as an addendum or an amendment to our existing acceptable use policy,” an RPS official said.
If approved, students will be required to turn off and put away their phones. Phones will not be allowed in classrooms, hallways, restrooms, cafeterias or outdoor areas during school hours.
There would be some exceptions, and the policy outlines how students and parents can communicate without their phones. For example, a parent trying to reach their child will have to call the main office. A student trying to reach their parent will have to notify the teacher and use a designated phone in the office.
