Cell Phone Use
As a school community, our primary focus is student achievement and success. As technology has advanced and become more prevalent in our daily lives, cell phones have become one of the biggest impediments to student productivity and focus. In addition, cell phones and social media are now the primary vehicles for negative peer interactions. Numerous academic studies in the fields of education and brain research have shown that cell phone usage negatively impacts student achievement and mental health.
In order to create a more effective classroom environment for teaching and learning, we will be establishing clear expectations for student phone usage during instruction. We need your support with ensuring that students understand and abide by these expectations, because ultimately it is their success at the center of this shift.
Student Cell Phone Expectations:
- Students assume all risks of damage, theft, or loss when choosing to bring phones, wearables like Smartwatches, or headphones to school.
- Cell phones (and wearables) are not to be used during instruction/enrichment.
- Upon entering the classroom, students should silence their cell phones (or turn them off) and place them in the teacher designated classroom cell phone storage device/location. Cell phones can be retrieved by students at the end of the class period when directed by the teacher.
- Cell phone use is prohibited in bathrooms and locker rooms. During class, students will be required to leave their cell phone in the classroom when using the bathroom.
- Cell phone use is permissible before homeroom, in the hallways during transitions, and during lunch periods.
This shift will initially be difficult for our students, as they are accustomed to the frequent communication and the immediate gratification made available to them through their cell phones. Students who are not able to abide by the expectations will be subject to disciplinary interventions in alignment with the BCPS Student Code of Conduct. Recording students or staff with cell phones or other recordable personal technology may be illegal and violates BCPS policy; students who use devices to record disruptions of any kind are subject to disciplinary action and may be referred to law enforcement. Please know that we greatly appreciate your support with helping our students navigate these expectations. I am confident that this shift will have positive impact on student achievement, focus, and overall state of wellbeing.
