STAUNTON — Staunton City Schools will consider a stricter ban on cell phones next school year.
Currently high school students have to stow away their phones during classes throughout the day, but they can access their phones during lunch and class transitions.
During a work session for the Staunton School Board Monday, Jan. 13, Staunton principal Tammy Lightner said they are considering a true bell-to-bell ban on cell phones for the 2025-26 school year, meaning students couldn’t use their phones during lunch or between classes. That would be the same policy Augusta County Schools began this semester.
Lightner said they didn’t make the change for this semester, hoping to “ease them into that” for next year.
Waynesboro High School does allow cell phone usage during students’ lunch breaks, but otherwise bans phones the rest of the school day.
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In July, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order directing the Virginia Department of Education to draft guidance for public schools to adopt local policies and procedures establishing cell phone-free education. Schools had until Jan. 1 to adopt those policies.
“Parents were very vocal of their concerns about emergencies,” Lightner said. “We did try to explain to them that if there was an emergency (cell phones) could become a bigger distraction or it could become a target for them, especially if their phones were to alarm during that situation.”
Lightner told the school board that she has heard from several students that they are paying more attention in class without the distraction of a cell phone.
That doesn’t mean they haven’t had any violations of the policy. About 25% of the referrals to the office have involved cell phones. Out of those referrals, only eight were repeat offenders.
While the policy won’t change in second semester, the consequences of violating the policy will change, per Lightner. Now, for a first offense, parents will be contacted and asked to come pick up the phone. During first semester, school officials confiscated phones for the day.
Staunton will begin using blackout bags as a pilot program this semester with a few teachers. The bags are designed to block incoming and outgoing signals, effectively rendering the device inside them inaccessible. It will keep students from accessing their mobile hot spots on laptops, which allows them to bypass secure options at the school. The hope is to get feedback from teachers and students and roll the bags out more widely next school year.
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Riverheads yearbook honored
GREENVILLE — Riverheads High School’s 2024 publication of the Colosseum, “Riverheads Rewind,” recently won first place in the American Scholastic Press Association Yearbook Competition.
This national contest showcases the best yearbooks from schools across the United States. This was the first time Riverheads won this award. Last year, the yearbook won the highest award in the state.
“This achievement is a testament to the talent and passion of our students and advisers who brought our yearbook to life,” Riverheads High School posted on its Facebook page. “Following on the heels of our 2023 yearbook state championship, this award shows the dedication of our staff and the milestones our program is rapidly achieving.”
Time change for Augusta County School Board meetings
VERONA — Starting in February, the time of school board meetings in Augusta County will change from 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. The change was aimed at helping staff members get home earlier on meeting nights.
There was a suggestion that the meetings be moved to 6 p.m., but board member Tim Simmons offered the compromise of 6:30 p.m. in order to allow parents a chance to attend after work.
The board also reappointed David Shiflett as chair and Tim Swortzel as vice chair for 2025 in unanimous votes.
New assistant principal at Kate Collins
WAYNESBORO — Jennifer Chance has been appointed as a new assistant principal at Kate Collins Middle School. The announcement was made at the Waynesboro School Board meeting Tuesday, Jan. 14.
“Chance brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and a passion for student success to her new role,” a press release from the school division read. “Having served Waynesboro Public Schools since 2013, Mrs. Chance has held positions as a General Education Teacher at William Perry Elementary School, a math teacher at Kate Collins Middle School, and, most recently, as an intervention specialist at Kate Collins.”
Chance is a graduate of James Madison University, where she earned her certification in educationalleadership, as well as Western Governors University, where she completed both her master’s in learning andtechnology and her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Chance was honored as teacher of the year at William Perry Elementary School in 2022.“Jennifer Chance embodies the qualities of a collaborative and visionary leader,” said Jeffrey Cassell, Superintendent of Waynesboro Public Schools. “Her experience and commitment to fostering a supportive environment for staff, students, and families will make her an invaluable addition to the administrative team at Kate Collins Middle School.”
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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
