WHS Cell Phone Policy

On Dec. 12, the School Board approved Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Devices. In accordance with Virginia Department of Education guidance and Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order, the new policy requires all student phones and personal devices to be off and away for the entire school day at all grade levels.

Effective Jan. 6, 2025:
• All APS students will be required to turn their phones and devices off and put them away for the entire school day. At Wakefield High School, students will continue to place their phones in their Yondr pouches before they enter the school building and keep their pouches locked throughout the school day.
• The policy states that “high school principals shall designate a particular location and non-instructional time during the school day in which phones or devices can be used briefly by students”. We will share more details with students when we return from break regarding this additional feature to the program already in place at Wakefield High School.
• Students who require the use of their phone or device as an accommodation or for a medical need may make requests through their 504 plan, Individualized Education Plan or Individualized Health Care Plan. These processes have already occurred at the beginning of our cell phone storage pilot program.
• In the event of an emergency, we have protocols in place to support unlocking students’ Yondr pouches when it is safe to do so.

Additional information is available on the APS website.