n LOUDOUN
4 | n EDUCATION
10 | n PUBLIC SAFETY
16 | n PUBLIC NOTICES
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OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS INSIDE Community-Supported News. Free to all.
VOL. 9, NO. 25
MAY 2, 2024
State of Loudoun Youth:
Struggles with Anxiety, Drug Access, Absenteeism BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.org
Loudoun teens continue to face unusually high levels of anxiety, believe drugs are readily available not only in the community but in schools, and continue to need safe spaces to gather, according to a report published by the Advisory Commission on Youth. While school absenteeism is on the rise across the county, the commission learned that trend was higher among Hispanic youth. ACOY Chair Jeff Goldman and Vice Chair Mike Reles have been involved in the organization as volunteers for the past 10 years and have conducted an annual report on the youth of the county for about nine. ACOY pulled data from last year’s teen and parent survey to compose this year’s report and presented it to the Board of Supervisors on April 16.
Mental Health When it comes to mental health in Loudoun youth, 59% have difficulty managing stress, 62% struggle with anxiety, 37% struggle with depression, and 14% had suicidal thoughts, according to ACOY’s 2022 survey. The report also pulled results of a statewide survey of high school students in 2022 and middle school students in 2023 YOUTH STRUGGLES continues on page 44
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Under new division policy, students’ personal device use will be limited.
Cell Phones in School: New Policy Heads for Community Feedback BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.org
Loudoun County Public Schools administrators are developing a new policy to limit how students use personal electronic devices like cell phones and smart watches with a goal of providing more consistent application of the rules.
The policy defines personal devices as cell phones, tablets, earbuds, smart watches and other technologies. According to the policy, elementary aged students would not be allowed to use personal devices while at school. Instead, they would be limited to use only their division-issued Chromebook. Middle school aged students must keep their
devices off and put away during the day unless “expressly allowed by school administration.” Chief Technology Officer Aaron Smith told a School Board committee April 22 the proposed policy would codify the ex-
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PHONES IN SCHOOL continues on page 45
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