Montgomery Co. schools stiffen cellphone policy for students

Starting next school year students in Montgomery County Maryland will have stricter rules regarding their cellphone use during class More MCPS stories How Montgomery Co schools make sure kids get meals even when they re closed Montgomery Co students look to democratize how schools deal with maintenance issues We ll come straight to you Montgomery Co schools turns bus into mobile HR department to recruit employees New guidelines issued by Montgomery County Inhabitants Schools will require students of all grade levels to keep their mobile devices turned off and out of sight when use is not permitted The list of devices include mobile instruments capable of sending or receiving details via voice video or text including cellphones tablets laptops and smartwatches Elementary and middle school students must keep their devices off and stored away at all times during the school day including class time lunch and transitions between periods Students may use their personal devices before and after school and on school buses High school students may use their devices during their lunch breaks and between classes but not during instructional time the guidelines commented However exceptions will be made for students who have learning or medicinal disabilities In a report administrators at MCPS noted they hope the new rules will mean less screen time and more learning time for students The updated regulation aims to create a learning conditions that balances the benefits of system with the need to minimize distractions and promote focused learning and classroom engagement the message read Previously MCPS allowed devices to be used for in-class events if approved by school leadership Middle and high school students could use their devices during lunch And high schoolers were allowed to use their devices between classes but still up to their principals discretion The school system has been working on revamping its rules on cellphone use during the year including studying the probable changes in a pilot activity at schools including RICA a special learning school with day and residential programs In a school board meeting in February principals from two of the schools participating in the pilot undertaking where restrictions were being tested agreed there was improved classroom focus more participant engagement and fewer distractions However while a few students were able to get around the rules others struggled to adapt These routines and these policies are only as effective as we the adults that are routinely enforcing them Chris Nardi the principal for Thomas Pyle Middle School explained school board members Those caught violating the initiative will be punished according to an updated Scholar Code of Conduct that will be issued in the summer Source