WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has passed a revised cellphone policy.

What You Need To Know

  • High school students can only have their phones out during lunch or when walking to their next class

  • Elementary and middle school students cannot have phones out during the school day

  • Some parents agree with the policy 

The policy aims to eliminate distractions in the classroom and help students be more engaged, the school district says.

High school students can only have their phones out during lunch or when walking to their next class. Elementary and middle school students cannot have phones out during the school day.

“We want them to be focused on their learning, building relationships with each other and with their teachers,” WS/FCS Superintendent Tricia McManus said.

Parents, like Jason Case, say this cellphone policy is the right move but think other compromises should be considered. 

“With safety issues, I want him to be able to communicate and have some sort of communication with all the stuff that's going on in the schools these days,” Case said. “I want him to be able to communicate and have his phone in his pocket because then it's also able to be traced.”

McManus is sympathetic to parents' concerns and realizes students will need to use their phones at school sometimes. 

The cellphone policy allows for that if there’s a legitimate reason, such as medical attention or help with technology. 

Recently, the surgeon general has advocated for warning labels on social media. McManus says the increased concern of students' mental health was another factor in changing the cellphone policy.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is not the only district to have a cellphone policy in place. Districts in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, New Hanover County, Watauga County, Buncombe County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro have one as well.