As part of the continued effort to maximize learning opportunities and reduce distractions during instruction for our nearly 50,000 students, Henrico County Public Schools is enhancing its practices related to student cell phone use.
As in the past, middle and high school students must keep cell phones, smartwatches and other personal internet-connected devices stored and silenced during class and after-school instructional activities such as tutoring. Devices should only be seen or used at the discretion of a teacher for a specific learning activity. New this year, every classroom will have pouches or containers where devices can be securely stored when they are not in student backpacks.
Middle and high school students will be able to use their devices between classes and during lunch periods, but those who need to temporarily leave a class — going to the restroom, clinic, school counseling office, etc. — must leave their devices stowed in the classroom.
Elementary school students must keep their devices stored for the duration of the school day.
The 2024-25 Code of Student Conduct reinforces these expectations and outlines the disciplinary consequences when expectations are not met. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at henricoschools.us.
School administrators will work with families of students who require a personal device for medical monitoring or other individual circumstances.