Three weeks after most Hampton Roads public school students return to school, they are expected to learn the new cell phone rules they must follow.

On September 16, the Virginia State Department of Education is expected to release its final guidelines for school districts aimed at banning students from using cell phones during the school day.

The directive contains minimum guidelines that all districts must adhere to.

A few weeks earlier, state educational institutions had published a seven-page draft guideline that required mobile phones to be taken out of class from “bell to bell,” that is, from the start of class until the end of school when students return home.

Watch: VB Superintendent discusses cell phone policy before school starts

VB school inspector talks about mobile phone guidelines before the new school year

Cell phones are also not allowed between classes and during lunch breaks. The instructions state that cell phones must be turned off and kept in a locker, bag or other place that the student does not carry.

The rules apply to all grades, but there are some differences between primary school, middle school and high school:

• Elementary school students who own cell phones must turn off and put away their phones at all times while on school grounds, inside or outside.
• Whether middle school students are allowed to have a phone before or after school is determined by each district.
• Pupils would are allowed to use telephones before and after school.

There are also policies for students with medical needs and for emergencies. The policy also addresses the district’s discretion in how to handle phones on school buses.
Watch: VDOE publishes proposed rules on cell phone use in schools

VDOE publishes proposed rules for mobile phone use in schools

However, from now onCounties can follow their own rules until the state’s deadline of January 1, 2025. Before final guidelines are released, Hampton Roads counties are taking different approaches.

Last week, Portsmouth Public Schools announced that the district had updated its cell phone policy to align with VDOE’s draft policies to avoid a mid-school-year change. A final district policy is expected to be voted on in late September.

The superintendent of Virginia Beach Public Schools says the school district is sticking to its existing policies for now.

“We are not sure how the feedback the state is currently receiving might change the current circumstances,” Dr. Donald Robertson told News 3. “Whatever the state’s guidelines are, we will follow those guidelines.”

Watch: VDOE hosts free information session on mobile education in Virginia Beach

VDOE hosts a free information event on cell phone freedom in Virginia Beach

Heather Sipe is president of the Virginia Beach Education Association, the union that represents teachers and other education professionals in the district.

She previously taught German in the district for over twenty years and says that cell phones caused disruptions in her and other teachers’ classes.

In their opinion, the existing district regulations have not solved the problem.

“It’s definitely a problem in at least 98% of classrooms,” Sipe said in a recent interview with News 3. “(Students) have their phone on their Chromebook and unless you walk behind them, it’s really hard to even see it.”

The state’s cell phone policy stems from an executive order issued by Governor Glenn Youngkin in July calling for cell phone-free classes to improve students’ mental health.

Watch: Youngkin calls for cellphone-free instruction in Virginia public schools

Youngkin calls for cellphone-free classes in Virginia public schools

“Today’s executive order sets a clear goal of protecting the health and safety of our students by limiting the time they are exposed to addictive cell phones and social media, while eliminating obvious distractions in the classroom,” Youngkin’s press release said.

“The things they do to each other and the things they send to each other are a real problem,” Robertson told News 3.

But Sipe says teachers have had a difficult time enforcing the rules so far and she has concerns about how the state will be enforced.

“How do we monitor and see all of these things, like who has their phone and who doesn’t?” she asked. “The policies don’t really support teachers at the moment.”

The Virginia Department of Education says notice will be provided after the final guidelines are released.

“We are putting together resources and toolkits for administrators, teachers and parents to really implement these guidelines,” said Todd Reid, senior communications adviser for VDOE.

Watch: Mobile phone guidelines and support for gifted children are among the topics at the VB schools’ exam

Mobile phone guidelines and support for gifted children are among the topics of the VB schools’ exam

He tells News 3 there is also hope that removing the opportunity for students to look at their phones between classes will reduce the likelihood of conflicts with teachers.

“If you don’t introduce cell phones between class breaks and during lunch breaks, then you don’t have to have the argument at the beginning of every lesson and at the end of every lesson.”

Robertson adds that the VBCPS administration is working to ensure that enforcement of the rules does not fall solely on the shoulders of teachers.

“Teachers need to feel that if they have a problem with a student, they can go to the school administration and have them help them resolve the problem,” Sipe said. “It also needs to be a family feeling that when I call home to talk to the parent or guardian about the problem we’re having in class, I can be confident that there is support at home.”

Watch: What are the implications of children having cell phones in school? Bill calls for investigation

What are the effects of children having cell phones at school? Bill calls for investigation

Sipe, Robertson and Reid agree that successful implementation of the new state guidelines depends on parents understanding the rules and talking to their children about them.

“Parents play a very, very big role in this,” Reid said.

Before the final cell phone guidance is released on September 16, the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the Virginia Department of Education website.

Feedback will be accepted until September 15th.