2024 - 2025 GCPS Cell Phone Procedure

Greene County Public Schools’ top priority is to cultivate a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and staff, encompassing their physical, environmental, and emotional well-being. To support the physical, emotional, and mental health of our students and staff, GCPS will implement an “off & away” procedure for student phones and personal devices for the 2024-2025 school year.

Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, are increasing among children, with cell phone and social media usage being significant factors. Research shows that spending over three hours a day on social media doubles the risk of poor mental health for adolescents, yet kids average 4.8 hours daily. Since 2010, rates of suicide and depression have surged. Between 2019 and 2021, suicide rates rose by 167% for girls and 91% for boys, while depression increased by 161% for boys and 145% for girls. Creating cell phone-free learning environments is crucial to supporting parents and addressing this growing mental health crisis among our children. 

Please see the linked research below to learn more about how phone use can affect students. 

Academic Impact Study

Emotional Impact Study

When students return on August 13, 2024, they may possess cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, or other communication devices on school property, but these devices must remain “off and away” during school hours,.

Students at NGPS, NGES, RES, and WMMS must turn off and stow away their cell phones and other personal devices from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. If students need to contact a parent or guardian, they will be permitted to use a classroom or office phone.

Students at WMHS are required to turn off and stow away their cell phones and other personal devices during classes and while moving between classes throughout the day. However, since WMHS students might have courses, jobs, or activities that take them off campus, they are allowed to use their phones during lunch.