Academics » Cell Phone Policy

Cell Phone Policy

Southwest Virginia Healthcare Excellence Academy Lab School


Cell Phone Policy


The Southwest Virginia Healthcare Excellence Academy Lab School will follow Governor Glenn Youngkin’s signed Executive Order #33, which directs public school divisions to establish local cell phone-free policies and procedures by January 1, 2025. Executive Order #33 is focused on “eliminating cell phone use during instructional time and addressing the mental health issues arising from children’s social media and cell phone addictions.  As a partner with four public school divisions, and serving public school students from these four school divisions, the SWVA-HEALS program is obligated to comply with Executive Order #33.   


For the purpose of this policy, personal electronic communication devices include any personal device capable of connecting to a smart phone, the internet, a cellular or Wi-Fi network, or directly connecting to another similar device.  Personal communication devices may include some wearable devices such as smart watches, as well as personal headphones, laptops, tablets, and other future personal electronic communication devices with the abovementioned characteristics. 


For the purpose of this policy, “bell-to-bell” means from the time SWVA-HEALS students begin instruction each morning until the dismissal of the students to leave campus and return to their home high schools.  


Student use of cell phones/personal electronic communication devices within a school building during the school day is restricted to the following guidelines:


  1. Students will not be allowed to use their cell phone/communication device from “bell-to-bell” during the instructional day.  
  2. If cell phone/communication devices are brought to school, they must be stored and powered off.  Storage areas will be provided for the use of students if needed. 
  3. Students will be allowed to use their cell phones/communication devices before school.  Student use of cell phones/communication devices on the return to the home high school will be under the direction the home school divisions. 
  4. During “bell-to-bell” instructional time, students must use school-based communication tools and platforms to communicate non-emergency needs with parents. 
  5. Parents should use school-based communication tools and channels to communicate emergencies during “bell-to-bell” instructional time. 
  6. Any student needing to communicate with a parent will be allowed to use office space for privacy and this communication.  Students must ask school staff for this allowance. 
  7. SWVA-HEALS students are enrolled in dual enrollment courses and will be allowed to use their cell phones, earbuds, or headphones for instructional purposes only with approval of staff. 
  8. Disciplinary action may occur if a student fails to follow school guidelines. 

Note – Students who require access to an electronic device due to a health concern as documented through a 504 plan, individual education plan, or official health plan may be granted access to their device as described by the plan. 


At no time, are students allowed to use their device for photographing or videoing, or utilizing the audio component unless the student utilizes earbuds/headphones.  Evidence of not following these guidelines, disruptive use, or unlawful actions will result in disciplinary action, reported to their home high school administration, and/or report to law enforcement authorities as warranted. 


Disciplinary Guidelines for Students NOT in Compliance with the Policy


If a student refuses to follow this Communication Device Policy, a director will be notified and consequences will be given.  The following actions may be taken should a student fail to comply with this policy:


First Offense:   The communication device will be placed in a secure location until the end of the HEALS’ instructional day.  The parent/guardian will be notified and the device will be returned to the student before leaving the HEALS’ campus.  This infraction will be documented and will result in a warning. 


Second Offense:  The communication device will be placed in a secure location until the end of the HEALS’ instructional day.  The parent/guardian will be notified and the device will be returned to the student before leaving the HEALS’ campus.  The home high school administration will be notified.  This infraction will be documented and will result in a second warning.


Third Offense:  The communication device will be placed in a secure location until the end of the HEALS’ instructional day.  The parent/guardian will be required to attend a meeting.  The device will be returned to the student before leaving the HEALS’s campus.  The home high school administration will be notified.  This infraction will be documented as failure to follow policy.


Additional Offense(s):  The communication device will be placed in a secure location until the end of the HEALS’s instructional day.  The parent/guardian will be notified and the student may not be allowed on the HEALS’ campus for a specified period of time.  The device will be returned to the student before leaving the HEALS’ campus.  The home high school administration will be notified.  This infraction could be documented as a suspension. 


Use of Cell Phones/Communication Devices at HEALS’ events


Students will be allowed to maintain possession of their cell phone/communication device while participating in off-campus school-sponsored events such as shadowing and field trips.  During the activities of the trip, cell phones/communication devices should be powered off and out of site.  


 


Cell Phone/Communication Device Liability


The Southwest Virginia Healthcare Excellence Academy will assume no responsibility in any circumstance for the loss, theft, or damage related to the use of a cell phone/communication device.  The Southwest Virginia Healthcare Excellence Academy will assume no responsibility for unauthorized calls, texts, or photos on school grounds or school related activity that could entail criminal activity.