FCPS cell phone policy

Anonymous
Is this for real? Wouldn't it be simpler and more effective to just ban cell phone use during school hours? Seems like FCPS is fostering an environment ripe for cheating, bullying, and just plain old screen addiction at the expense of an education.

In response to a request from the Fairfax County Council of PTA’s (and others) to implement consistent student cell phone restrictions in our schools, we are recommending the following guidelines to all schools. Some schools may have more prescriptive rules, but these recommended best practices are intended to serve as a consistent minimum set of guidelines. Please communicate your school’s guidelines with staff, students and parents at the beginning of the school year.

FCPS recommends the following tiered structure of cell phone restrictions, which recognizes the age ability of students to use their cell phones wisely.

Elementary school – Phones must be silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day. They may be utilized on campus only before and after school. Teachers may allow usage of cell phones for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool, such as video creation or QR Code activities.

Middle School – Phones must be silenced and kept put away for the duration of the school day. Storage may be in a locker, backpack, pencil bag, etc. during the day. Teachers may allow cell phone usage in their classrooms at their discretion with the support of the administration. Cell phones may be used on campus before the first bell and after the last bell.

High School – Phones must be silenced and kept put away during all instructional periods. Storage may be in a locker, backpack, pencil bag, etc. during classes. Teachers may allow cell phone usage in their classrooms at their discretion, with the support of the administration. Cell phones may be used on campus before the first bell, after the last bell, during passing periods and lunches.

Confiscation of cell phones is not recommended if students violate these guidelines; referrals are recommended instead.
Anonymous
This isn't any different than what we've been doing already except in middle school the kids also use it in the hallways between classes. Not a battle I'm willing to fight so... whatevs. I just want it out of sight in my room unless we're using it for an activity.
Anonymous
I think you are hyperbolic. These policies make complete sense.
Anonymous
That’s been our policy in the ES. Not a problem.
Anonymous
Simpler and effective to ban them altogether?
Hell no. Teachers and administrators would be wasting their time with stupid power struggles throughout the entire day.
Anonymous
Nope. Walkers need the phone in case they run into trouble to and from school and let's be honest so much crazy stuff is happening in schools these days they need them for emergencies.
Anonymous
This is truly hilarious because they're giving all HS students laptops throughout the system this year.
So now they can do whatever they used to do on their phones on their laptops while pretending to study, or even use the laptop screen to better hide the phone in front of them.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:This is truly hilarious because they're giving all HS students laptops throughout the system this year.
So now they can do whatever they used to do on their phones on their laptops while pretending to study, or even use the laptop screen to better hide the phone in front of them.


So you think laptops haven’t been in high schools to this point and that staff don’t know how to manage them already? Really?
You don’t seem very bright in these matters.
Anonymous
The last sentence is one of the main reasons why public schools are going downhill. If a student violates a rule, nothing bad will occur.
Anonymous
What will privates do? Throw them out? Seriously?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:What will privates do? Throw them out? Seriously?


Most private schools don’t allow phones to be out, and if so are confiscated until the end of the day.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is truly hilarious because they're giving all HS students laptops throughout the system this year.
So now they can do whatever they used to do on their phones on their laptops while pretending to study, or even use the laptop screen to better hide the phone in front of them.


So you think laptops haven’t been in high schools to this point and that staff don’t know how to manage them already? Really?
You don’t seem very bright in these matters.


Our fcps highschool used mostly textbooks and literature in the classrooms.

My kid is really disappointed that they are issuing computers this year.

This is a complete waste of money for the vast majority of fcps students who have extensive access to any technology that a student could want or need.

Issueing computers makes sense in the handful of poorer schools, but it it a wasteful, frivolous idea for most of fc students.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:This is truly hilarious because they're giving all HS students laptops throughout the system this year.
So now they can do whatever they used to do on their phones on their laptops while pretending to study, or even use the laptop screen to better hide the phone in front of them.


Not really. DD was in the Chantilly period pilot program. There is some heavy duty filtering spftwear of the laptops. Which is one reason I’m glad the plan is. Expanding to DC2, not inChantilly pyramid. He has what he needs for school, and I don’t have to play laptop cop.

And I can see why the school does not want to be in the business of confiscating and holding brand new $1000 smartphones. Referrals are still consequences. Usually, starting with a verbal warning and ending up with detention.
Anonymous
I have noticed a huge change in cell phone use in high schools over the past few years. Really, they are not an issue. Occasionally students need reminders to put theirs away but the vast majority of my students have not been distracted by their phones. I do not mind if they occasionally send a text and put it away. That’s the world we live in.

The laptops and other types of technology have made my job extremely difficult. They are the distraction. Whenever I’m using them in class, students are openly trying to do something else and no longer trying to hide it. I spend more time trying to manage these behaviors than teach. I’m hoping thrill wears off in a few years like it did with cell phones since students are also using laptops earlier and earlier and we can actually focus in class on instruction.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I have noticed a huge change in cell phone use in high schools over the past few years. Really, they are not an issue. Occasionally students need reminders to put theirs away but the vast majority of my students have not been distracted by their phones. I do not mind if they occasionally send a text and put it away. That’s the world we live in.

The laptops and other types of technology have made my job extremely difficult. They are the distraction. Whenever I’m using them in class, students are openly trying to do something else and no longer trying to hide it. I spend more time trying to manage these behaviors than teach. I’m hoping thrill wears off in a few years like it did with cell phones since students are also using laptops earlier and earlier and we can actually focus in class on instruction.


Not sure what high school you teach at, but my FCPS high schoolers report kids being on their phone throughout class much of the time. My daughters best friend’s boyfriend is at a different school and he would literally be on the phone with her via air pods during class sometimes. These are not the slackers, either. These are all honors and AP students with great GPAs . It’s a huge issue and no, kids are not being as mature about it as you think. They’re just getting better at hiding it via apple watches and air pods. My son was at a private school until 10th and phones were completely prohibited throughout the school day. The kids actually had conversations at lunch. He actually misses that.
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