Student Cell Phones: An Update

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Dear CHS, LMA and Buford families –

We are excited to welcome your students back to school and look forward to seeing you all at our open houses.

Before school starts, we want to make sure that we are all on the same page about a change to our student cell phone routines.

While cell phones and other devices have many benefits, they can be a distraction to student learning and harmful to mental wellbeing. Our new school policy will be to keep phones and personal devices “off and away the entire day”. Later this fall at CHS, LMA, and Buford, students will start using magnetic Yondr pouches to store their devices in their backpacks during the day (“off, Yondr, and away”). You can find additional information in the attached PDF and images, or read on, below. You can also find this information on our website at charlottesvilleschools.org/cellphones

Disconnecting from phones will allow us to connect with each other, connect with learning, and connect with calm. Let’s all work together to improve our learning, relationships, and mental wellness.

Big Ideas

• Phones and personal devices will be off and away for the whole day. (No cell phone breaks.)

• Later this fall, CHS, LMA, & Buford students will start using magnetic Yondr pouches to store devices. The pouches snap shut and are unlocked at the end of the day. Once the phones are turned off and stored in the magnetic pouches, students will keep their phones, perhaps storing them in the backpack. When we start using the pouches, our cell phone policy will be "Off, Yondr, and Away." Info: www.overyondr.com

• Cville Schools wifi will be limited to school-approved devices.

• Students staying after school for activities can use the phone/ device if it doesn't detract from the activity.

• If families need to get a message to students, contact the office. For important items, you can send your student an email (but school email is primarily for instructional purposes).

• If your student uses their phone for medical reasons, please set up a meeting with admin to explore options.

• During safety protocols or bad weather, administrators will send students, staff, and families factual info as soon as possible

• We are developing plans, and we are also listening to the community!

More Information

• What if the phone or device is not off and away (or "Off, Yondr, and Away")?

• 1st time - administration will be called. They'll ask the student to relinquish the phone, and the student can pick it up at the end of day. 

• 2nd time - administration will be called. They’ll ask the student to relinquish the phone, and the parent/guardian can pick it up at the end of the day. 

• Especially during the first month of school, this will be recorded as student support instead of a student referral.

More Details

• Using/displaying/having the phone outside the Yondr pouch will not be an out-of-school suspension.

• When an administrator requests the student relinquish the phone, they will offer a reluctant student a choice: give the phone to the admin, or call the family. The family has the choice of encouraging the child to hand over the phone or coming to pick up the student. 

• Refusing to give an administrator the phone when requested may result in further disciplinary action.

• Using the phone inappropriately (for bullying or filming a fight, etc.) may result in significant consequences, including no phone on school grounds for the rest of the year.

More About Safety

As noted, during safety protocols or inclement weather, administrators will get students, staff, and families factual info as soon as possible. We will review safety and mental health protocols with students and staff every 9 weeks. Administrators will be able to unlock Yondr pouches in specific safety scenarios such as evacuation to another location.

What's a "Personal Device"?

Devices are always changing, but we're talking about items that interfere with students' learning, relationships, and mental health. This includes phones, smart watches, and headphones.

What about Teachers/Staff?

Staff will model this behavior. They will be fully present for their students.

More Info & More Chances to Talk:

• More on this topic can be found in "Student Rights & Responsibilities."

• We're also holding events for staff, students, and community to learn more.

  • Monday, August 14, 5:30-6:30pm at Mount Zion 1st African Baptist Church (105 Lankford Ave)

  • Wednesday, August 16 6-7pm at Kindlewood (418 Garrett St)

  • Thursday, August 17 5:30-7pm at Hearthwood (2111 Michie Dr.)

  • Sunday, August 20, 6-7pm on Zoom. Click here to register.

• Let's prioritize our learning, wellbeing, and relationships over our technology.