VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A boost to better learning, a block to connecting with their child — that’s how some parents see Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s new executive order to ban cell phones from Virginia classrooms that takes effect Jan. 1.
Virginia Department of Education releases cell phone-free policy
10 On Your Side attended the first two of three informational sessions run by Virginia Beach Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson. While the executive order provides the baseline restrictions on the use of phones, known as bell-to-bell, individual school divisions can tailor their policies as long as they meet the state minimums.
Youngkin’s directive bans cell phones, smart watches and earbuds. Students will be able to carry them in their backpacks, but cannot use them at any time from the beginning of classes until the final bell of the day.
VBCPS holds 1st of 3 no-phone policy sessions at Kempsville High School
How times have changed.
Seventeen years ago, when Robertson was a rising administrator in Hampton Roads’ largest school division, he was lobbying the school board in favor of cell phones in the classroom.