<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4AE9Qo_0uk7ytTM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4AE9Qo_0uk7ytTM00" width="1320" height="743" >ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — The Virginia Department of Education is traveling around the Commonwealth seeking feedback on creating cell phone-free schools in the state.Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a new executive order on July 9, targeting cell phone-free education. Youngkin's order called for the VDOE to start receiving input from all of the school divisions about how this would work and what they think needs to be in the policy.State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Lisa Coons has been traveling all over the state since the middle of July holding 'Commonwealth Conversations' to get feedback on the new executive order and ideas on what the policy will detail.Dr. Coons and her team held a conversation Wednesday in Roanoke County at Northside High School. Over two dozen parents, teachers, principals, and superintendents had an open dialogue to share ideas."I started teaching about the dangers and effect of cell phones to the entire school at the beginning of the year and our cell phone problem has gone way back," one teacher said."You're eliminating the possibility of some of the better uses of cell phones," another teacher said in response to completely removing them from school property.Roanoke County School Board member Cheryl Facciani has multiple children who have all gone through the school system. She said that kids are too addicted to them during the day, and it's harming their growth and knowledge."Right now, we're seeing a lot of communities that are suffering with cell phones in the classroom," Facciani said. "It's hurting our academics; it's hurting mental health.Facciani said the Roanoke County School Board is discussing the executive order currently and researching what they will be doing.Many of the attendees spoke about the safety of students on school property. Some of them said they'd want to hear from their kids if something happened."If I hear those fire trucks and rescue squads and sirens going, I'm flipping out," one teacher said. "I want to know what's going on."However, another teacher shared that there was a fire at her school and the cell phones hindered her from helping kids get to safety."Parents were stopping us from doing our jobs; it became an obstacle for us to overcome and handle," one teacher said.With safety being a major topic during the conversation, ABC13's Hayden Robertson asked Dr. Coons what they will do in the policy about this."A lot of the things that parents have reached out to us about is safety," Robertson said. "If something happens in my kids' school, how can I get in contact with them; I want to get in contact with them immediately. How do calm those parents' nerves?""First and foremost, you heard a teacher say when she had an emergency; a fire in the school and all of the kiddos had cell phones and it was very hard to manage the emergency and make sure the children were safe," Dr. Coons said. When the cell phone-free opportunity happened in her school, it was much easier to manage drills and situations. First and foremost, we need to make sure our young people are looking to the adults who are managing the emergency and that they are safe. Then, we will work with our schools to make sure that communication systems are clear and in place."The VDOE is hosting four more 'Commonwealth Conversations' in the next few days. Below are the dates for those:<ul><li>Abingdon - August 1, 3 - 4:30 p.m. - Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center</li><li>Keysville - August 2, 1:30 - 3 p.m. at Southside Virginia Community College</li><li>Virtual - August 5 - you can register here</li><li>Midlothian - August 6, 4 - 5:30 p.m. at Chesterfield County Public Schools Career and Technical Center</li></ul>Dr. Coons said a draft cell phone policy will be published on August 15 after they review and compile all of the feedback they've received.She said the school divisions will have from then until September 15 to submit feedback, and after a public hearing, the final draft will posted.Dr. Coons said the divisions will then have from September 15 until January 1, 2025, to update their policy or create a new policy based on the executive order.To learn more about the policy or how you can share your thoughts, click here.</div></body>

NewsBreak

Virginia Department of Education seeks public input on cell phone-free schools

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — The Virginia Department of Education is traveling around the Commonwealth seeking feedback on creating cell phone-free schools in the state. Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a new executive order on July 9, targeting cell phone-free education. Youngkin's order called for the VDOE to start receiving input from all of the school divisions about how this would work and what they think needs to be in the policy.