The Blackout of Stafford High School 

On July 11th, 2024 Stafford High School Principal, Chelsea Tryon, sent out a welcome letter to the Stafford High School community. The letter included information to help students and families better transition into the school year. It included information regarding parking passes, schedules, and the countywide updated phone policy. 

The letter states, “The Stafford County School Board recently updated the cell phone policy. Starting August 12, 2024, students are no longer able to have their phone on and visible during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m”. Mrs. Tryon then goes on to say how she will meet with all classes – freshman, sophomore, junior and senior – individually, to discuss the consequences and expectations that come with this updated policy. She also provides a webpage with additional information to better explain exactly what the rules are when it comes to personal devices, not just cell phones. 

Not only can students no longer use cell phones during school hours, they are also no longer allowed to use ANY personal devices. They include but are not limited to computing devices, personal laptops, cellular phones, electronic and wireless devices such as headphones, earbuds, wearable devices, smart watches, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices that can manage calls, messages, or images. If a student is caught on a cellular device, personal computers, apple watches, airpods, ect. the consequences are as follows: 

(All offenses include having your phone locked in a bag)

First violation: Locked bag, parent or guardian 

Second violation: Overnight suspension (no after school activities allowed)

Third violation: 1 day suspension

Fourth violation: 3 day suspension

Fifth violation: 5 day suspension

Sixth violation: 10 day suspension

Seventh violation: 10 day suspension with recommended for 45 days suspension

The school has 200 lockable pouches available for use If more pouches are needed, the school will order more on-demand. If the school-provided, locked pouch is damaged or cut, the student will face another consequence, as it will be considered a separate offense: destruction to school property. 

If the bag is not returned to the school, the student will be charged $20.00 to purchase a replacement pouch. The locked bag containing the personal device will not be opened unless a parent/guardian travels to the school. If a parent or guardian is unable to retrieve the phone, the student will take the pouch home with them until a parent can visit the school  to get the bag  unlocked. 

While some people might think this is a school implemented policy, it is actually something that is being set in place for all Virginia schools. 

Governor Glenn Youngkin issued executive order #33, “Establishing Cell Phone-Free Education to Promote the Health and Safety of Virginia’s K-12 students” . In this executive order he touts the necessity and importance of a call phone free environment for education. The executive order states, “Children spend an average of 4.8 hours a day on social media, and recent studies indicate that spending more than three hours a day on social media doubles the risk of poor mental health for adolescents.”. Later in the order Gov. Youngkin explains how taking away the ability to access cellular devices all together, unless being used for an educational purpose, will help increase mental health and diminish the amount of distractions.

Any questions, comments, or concerns concerning the school’s enforcement of the updated policy should be directed to Mrs.Chelsea Tyron, Stafford High School Principal, or Mr. Daniel (Dino) Reschke, Dean of students for Stafford High School.