COVINGTON, Va. (WDBJ) - Alleghany Highlands Public Schools is enforcing a new cell phone ban for students beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

The new “Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone-Free” policy means students will not be allowed to use their phones during the school day. Phones must be turned off and put away from the time students arrive until the final bell rings. This includes classrooms, hallways, and other areas of the school.

This is a change from AHPS’s previous policy, which allowed high school students to use phones during lunch.

The new policy follows a state law, Executive Order 33 , signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin on July 9, that requires all Virginia K-12 public schools to restrict or eliminate phone use and establish protocols allowing parents to contact their children i

See Full Page