RADFORD – The first day of the 2024-25 school year for Radford City Public Schools students is today, Wednesday, Aug. 14.
For McHarg and Belle Heth Elementary schools, doors open at 8:15 a.m. and the tardy bell rings at 8:35 am. The dismissal bell rings at 3 p.m. For Dalton Intermediate School and Radford High School, doors open at 7:30 a.m. The tardy bell rings at 7:50 a.m. and the dismissal bell rings at 2:20 p.m.
There will be a renewed focus on the cell phone policy for students and the secondary school principals have made announcements regarding cell phone usage.
“As you have probably heard, on July 9, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 to establish cell phone-free education to promote the health and safety of Virginia’s K-12 students,” DIS Principal Darden Freeman said via email to DIS families. “Radford City Schools already has a cell phone policy that is closely aligned to the Governor’s Executive Order. The current policy states:
Students shall not have in their possession beepers, cellular telephones, smart phones, tablets, headphones, earbuds, AirPods, etc., or other communications devices. If a student possesses such a device, in addition to other disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed, the device may be confiscated from the student and returned only to the student’s parent.”
According to Freeman and RHS Principal Andrew Simpson, students will be permitted to keep their devices in their backpack turned off and will be allowed to use them during lunch time. Headphones will be permitted for use with school issued Chromebooks for educational purposes.
“In order to be in compliance with this RCPS policy and the Governor’s Executive Order, DIS students will not be permitted to use cell phones during the school day during the 2024-2025 school year. This includes smart watches, earbuds, headphones, and other electronic communication devices. Students will only be permitted to use their cell phones in the cafeteria during lunch,” Freeman wrote.
Staff report
