Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has expanded its ban on electronic devices to include smartwatches, further restricting student cell phone and tablet use. The School Board voted 8-1 on the change, aligning with a state-level executive order from Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The new policy prohibits students from having phones, tablets, or smartwatches during class, between classes, at recess, and during lunch. Devices must be stored in backpacks, lockers, or a designated area in the classroom. Students can use devices on school buses traveling to and from school, and between campuses.
The previous policy allowed smartwatches. The stricter rules now bring consequences for violations, including suspension and expulsion.
According to a WUSA-CBS report, school Board Member Abdel Elnoubi, the sole dissenting vote, questioned the need for the change. “We changed the policy about a year-and-a-half ago to what we have now,” Elnoubi said. “And now this is driven by the VDOE and the governor’s advice. How’s the current policy working for us, because we put a policy that we felt works for us, right?”
Student representatives voiced safety concerns, arguing for phone access. “We don’t feel safe at the school,” student representative Nixon Perez Orozco said. “I invite you guys, everyone who wants to come to the school, walk to the first floor, second floor and third floor and see how different kids behave on each floor, and security guards as well. They act like a child, literally. They are not doing their job.”
ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt emphasized the school’s responsibility for student safety and communication with parents. “I think the goal is about the safety,” Key-Wyatt said. “I want to say to parents, let us manage the inside of that facility to ensure that it’s safe. If there’s a matter or something that they need to get to their their child, a message or something, there’s always the office who could take care of that matter for them.”
School Board Member Chris Harris acknowledged potential difficulties with implementing the new policy. “I’m looking forward to see how this rolls out,” Harris said. “It is going to be difficult. I totally understand that there will be challenges, but we ask that parents, families, students work with us, because we’re doing it for the right reasons,” WUSA reported.
The school system has procedures for contacting students and families during the school day for appointments, early dismissals, or other needs. Elementary students can bring phones to school with parental permission, but the devices must be turned off and stored away.
