Schools

At the November 6, 2024, Prince William County School Board meeting, multiple parents addressed the board with concerns and feedback about the district’s pilot cell phone policy, which restricts student phone use during school hours.

The policy, which affects both middle and high schools, allows limited cell phone use for high school students during lunch and hallway transitions, while middle school students follow a stricter “off and away for the day” rule.

At the November 6 Prince William County School Board meeting, residents advocated for adding Eid Al-Adha as a recognized holiday in the school calendar. This would allow Muslim students and families to observe this significant religious event without missing school.

Hifsa Khan, a resident of Gainesville, spoke on behalf of a group of parents, highlighting the importance of Eid Al-Adha within the Muslim community. “Eid Al-Adha is considered the larger of the two Eids we celebrate, and it’s deeply meaningful for us. It’s a time when we gather with family, worship, and reflect on shared values,” said Khan.