We want to keep you informed about an important change coming to our school this year. You've likely heard about LAUSD's upcoming cell-phone ban set to take effect in January 2025. Even before this announcement, our staff at VIPHS had been actively considering ways to minimize cell-phone usage in the classroom to enhance our students' learning experiences.

New Cell-Phone Policy Implementation

Starting this year, we are rolling out a school wide cell-phone policy that aims to balance the instructional benefits of phone-free classrooms with the need for parents to stay in touch with their students during emergencies.

Key Points of the New Policy:

• Classroom Phone Storage: Upon entering the classroom, students will place their cell phones in a designated wall storage pouch and retrieve them at the end of the class period.

• Emergency Access: This system ensures that students will benefit from a distraction-free environment while still having access to their phones if an emergency arises.

• Free Time: Students will still be allowed to use their phones before/after school, during passing period, and at lunch.

Policy Rollout:

• Advisory Sessions: We will discuss the new policy with students during advisory sessions in the first week of school.

• Policy Start Date: The policy will officially take effect at the beginning of the second week of the semester, on August 19th.

Preparing for the Transition:

We strongly encourage you to have open and constructive conversations with your students about establishing a healthy relationship with their phones before school starts August 12th. Discuss the benefits of a distraction-free classroom, focused study time, and the value in engaging in real-world activities. These discussions can help ease the transition and underscore the positive aspects of this new policy.

Thank you for your support as we strive to create the best learning environment for our students!