Student Cell Phone & Device Use FAQs

Committed to Providing Engaging, Distraction-Free Learning Environments

Prince George County Public Schools' mission centers around the district's desire to keep our students as 'True North' through every program to support learning.

In this section, we will provide answers to some of the common questions that our school community may have about our cell phone and personal communications device usage by students as part of the district's policy, JFCM - Personal Communications Devices, and in accordance with the Virginia Department of Education's Guidance for Cell Phone-Free Education Pursuant to Executive Order 33 guidelines.

This policy will take effect January 1, 2025, per VDOE and Executive Order 33's guidelines.

We hope this FAQ page will be a valuable resource to our school community, and the document will be updated as needed to address additional topics related to this policy.

In Summary: PGCPS Personal Communications Devices Policy

This policy states students are prohibited from using personal communications devices, including cell phones, during instructional time or in instructional settings, which comprises places such as a classroom, auditorium, gymnasium, and any location where a school staff member is providing instruction or related activities.

Elementary school students are prohibited from using personal technology during the day.
Middle and high school students must keep their devices silent and not visible and store them in their backpacks or another phone storage location away from students during the school day, including during lunch and transition time between classes. These students may be able to use their devices before or after the school day concludes as permitted by the school's administrators.

Allowable exemptions for cell phones and personal electronic communication devices are available to families and must be written explicitly in a student's Section 504 plan, Individualized Education Plan, and/or individualized health care plans.

School staff will continue to have access to communications during instructional time and can contact the school office in an emergency. Further, students who access stored personal communications to make calls for assistance will not be penalized during a school emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions
Click each question or triangle icon to reveal the answer to each item in the FAQ below.

When will the district's policy take effect?

In accordance with the Virginia Department of Education's Guidance for Cell Phone-Free Education Pursuant to Executive Order 33 guidelines, the division's local policy regarding personal communications devices adopted on November 12, 2024, by the Prince George County School Board will take effect January 1, 2025.

My child is an elementary-level (Grades Pre-K-5) school student, are they able to use a phone on the bus to/from school?

Students are able to use their phone while traveling to/from school on the bus. Students must use personal headphones or have the device silenced so as to not create disruption on the school bus. Students are to ensure, even when using their cell phone or personal communication device, that they pay attention to their bus driver/other staff for instructions while being transported to/from school on the bus. Students are to turn off their phones / personal communication devices and store them in their backpack when they arrive at school.

Any student who improperly uses a cell phone or communication device while on a school bus remains subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

My child is a secondary-level (Grades 6-12) student, are they able to use a phone on the bus to/from school?

Students are able to use their phone while traveling to/from school on the bus. Students must use personal headphones or have the device silenced so as to not create disruption on the school bus. Students are to ensure, even when using their cell phone or personal communication device, that they pay attention to their bus driver/other staff for instructions while being transported to/from school on the bus.

Any student who improperly uses a cell phone or communication device while on a school bus remains subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Will my child have to store their cell phone or other personal communication devices in a school-provided pouch or other storage device provided by the school during the school day?

No. Elementary students (Grades Pre-K-5) are to turn off their phones / personal communication devices and store them in their backpack when they arrive at school. Secondary students (Grades 6-12) must keep their devices silent and not visible and store them in their backpacks or another phone storage location away from students during the school day, including during lunch and transition time between classes.

Can my child use their phone before/after school?

Students in grades Pre-K-5 are not permitted to have cell phones. Students in grades 6-12 may use their cell phones before/after school at the discretion of the building administration.

Can my child use a smartwatch, such as an Apple Watch or similar device?

The school division’s policy defines personal communication devices as “technologies connected to the internet or cellular service”. As such, smart watches are not permitted for students in grades Pre-K-5, and must be off and away from bell-to-bell, defined as the period between the first bell to start the school day until the last bell of the school day, including lunches and transition time between classes, for students in grades 6-12.

During an emergency, can my child use their phone to communicate with family?

Yes, during an actual school emergency, students in grades 6-12 may access stored personal communication devices to make calls for assistance. Students that do so during an actual school emergency, will not be penalized. In cases of emergency, we are committed to timely and transparent communication with families.

What if I need to reach my child for a non-emergency matter?

Parents are encouraged to contact the school’s main office who will be in the best position to communicate emergency and non-emergency messages with students. Non-emergency messages will be delivered during transition times so as to not interrupt classroom instruction.

My child needs assistive technology to aid in their learning, is this resource still available to them?

Ensuring our students have access to every resource they need to succeed is a priority for us. In developing our local student cell phone use policy, it provides parents/guardians with the ability to apply for an exemption to this policy. Allowable exemptions for cell phones and personal electronic communication devices must be written explicitly in your child’s Section 504 plan, Individualized Education Plan, and/or individualized health care plans.

For more information, please contact your child’s case manager or school administrator.

How does this policy affect field trips and other off-campus, school-sanctioned activities during school hours?

Field trips are extensions of classroom instructional experiences, and as such, the rules surrounding the use of personal communication devices are to be followed.

My child participates in a half-day program, e.g. Rowanty Technical Center, through Prince George High School. How does this affect my child’s ability to use their phone?

Students are able to use their phone while traveling to/from school on the bus, including to/from half-day programs. Students must use personal headphones or have the device silenced so as to not create disruption on the school bus. Students are to ensure, even when using their cell phone or communication device, that they pay attention to their bus driver/other staff for instructions while being transported to/from school on the bus.

Students are to store the phones away, silent and out of sight, once they arrive at their program.

Key Resources & Documents

Last Updated: 11-13-2024