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The Virginia Department of Education is hosting a series of “Commonwealth Conversations” to give parents, educators, and community members the opportunity to share their thoughts on the best ways to achieve cell phone-free education in Virginia.
On July 9, Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 to establish cell phone-free education to promote the health and safety of Virginia’s K-12 students. Executive Order 33 directs the VDOE to provide guidance to school boards on cell phone-free education policies and procedures. School boards will establish local cell phone-free education policies and procedures before the end of this year.
Parents, educators, and interested community members are invited to attend a Commonwealth Conversation and discuss their expectations for the upcoming policy changes that will take effect in January 2025.
The conversations occurring closest to the Rockbridge area are in Waynesboro at Kate Collins Middle School on July 31 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and in Roanoke at Northside High School on the same day from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Virginians who would like to register to join the conversation at these events, learn more about Executive Order 33, or share feedback about cell phone-free education, should visit the Cell Phone-Free Education in Virginia webpage at www. doe.virginia.gov/cell-phonefree- education.
