New cell phone policy

[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone, MCPS HS teacher here. Are we going to spend time during pre service learning about the new countywide cell phone policy? Last I heard, it was new rules but no information about consequences or how we plan to enforce. Has anyone heard details about the plan? Seems about time to roll it out if they have one.

[Anonymous]

The policy honestly appears to be pretty much the same. SO no idea what will be different. Policy isn't the problem, enforcement is. So hopefully there's a new approach to enforcement that is scalable and sustainable.

[Anonymous]

The policy hasn’t changed, but practice will.

My school changed our practice last year. It went far better than I expected. TBH, anxious and disorganized parents pushed back more than students did. We had eight out of roughly 900 students who were allowed to keep their phones on their person for medical reasons (including mental health treatment plans). Probably 10% of students lied that they didn’t bring a phone, but mostly, they kept them hidden and stayed more focused than before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi Everyone, MCPS HS teacher here. Are we going to spend time during pre service learning about the new countywide cell phone policy? Last I heard, it was new rules but no information about consequences or how we plan to enforce. Has anyone heard details about the plan? Seems about time to roll it out if they have one.

If you're really a teacher why would you come here to ask when you know every school has different pre service schedules and you'd be the one receiving your schedule this week?

[Anonymous]

Let's be realistic. What is actually going to change inside classrooms? Are teachers in each class going to start using those phone pouches? Having students place their phones in the pouches at the beginning of the class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's be realistic. What is actually going to change inside classrooms? Are teachers in each class going to start using those phone pouches? Having students place their phones in the pouches at the beginning of the class?

In our middle school, they simply confiscate phones. Parents have to come pick them up. Seeing other kids have their phones confiscated was good motivation to keep phones away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's be realistic. What is actually going to change inside classrooms? Are teachers in each class going to start using those phone pouches? Having students place their phones in the pouches at the beginning of the class?

In our middle school, they simply confiscate phones. Parents have to come pick them up. Seeing other kids have their phones confiscated was good motivation to keep phones away.

Any warnings before confiscating?

[Anonymous]

Nothing is going to change. Sadly.

[Anonymous]

If phone pouches are going to be used in classrooms, they will need to be purchased. Who is going to purchase them - MCPS, schools, teachers, PTA, each family?? If you're going to come up with a policy, follow through -- give the resources to make it happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If phone pouches are going to be used in classrooms, they will need to be purchased. Who is going to purchase them - MCPS, schools, teachers, PTA, each family?? If you're going to come up with a policy, follow through -- give the resources to make it happen.

Teachers often don’t want to use the pouches for liability. Phones are expensive. If a phone goes missing, are the teachers held responsible?

[Anonymous]

I hope the teachers and staff also follow the ban and set a good example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If phone pouches are going to be used in classrooms, they will need to be purchased. Who is going to purchase them - MCPS, schools, teachers, PTA, each family?? If you're going to come up with a policy, follow through -- give the resources to make it happen.

Each school is free to implement their own system. Our school confiscates all phones by 8:10 AM and keeps them until 2:50 PM. They are locked in the main office. We didn’t have funds for pouches.

[Anonymous]

I bought a clear set of lockers i can hold up to 20 devices in behind my desk. If i see your phone or airpods i take them and lock them in the box. You can get them at the end of the day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope the teachers and staff also follow the ban and set a good example.

It’s a bit more complicated for teachers. We don’t have classroom phones at my school and most of us aren’t issued a walkie. Our intercom system has gaped. The quickest way to get ahold of a floating staff member is by text. If a kid pukes in my classroom, I’m texting building services to come clean it up, not sending an email in the hopes they are at a computer in the next 10 min.

We also use our phones for a variety of administrative tasks ranging from email to scanning work samples for quarterly reports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope the teachers and staff also follow the ban and set a good example.

The implication that teachers are equivalent to students and need to follow the same rules, as opposed to adults who have different rules and responsibilities is so undermining.

I don’t let my 14 year old drive. Should I set a good example by not driving, or should it be recognized that as an adult my responsibilities require it.