Students can bring their mobile phones to school, but in many cases they need to silence them.
Frederick, Md (KM) Cell phone use by students in Frederick County Public Schools is expected to be discussed during a Board of Education Meeting on September 11th. That’s according to Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Dyson who says there are guidelines and expectations when it comes to mobile phone use by students in schools.
“It doesn’t say they can’t bring it,” says Dr. Dyson. “But for elementary students that it’s silent and out of sight.”
It’s the same for middle and high school students, especially when it comes to classroom instruction. “We do know that it’s difficult for our teachers to teach when the phones are always out. And so we’re excited to hear the conversation from our board and receive direction from our board to form policy. And I’m sure that will be coming sometime this year,”: she says,
The School System’s regulations say elementary students can be given permission to use their cell phones for medical necessity or “exigent situations.”
Both middle and high school students can use their cell phones before and after the school day, and that includes riding on the bus. They can also use their mobile phones for instructional purposes with permission from school staff. High school students can use their cell phones during the transition period between classes, and at lunch periods.
Students can wear smartwaches and similar devices during school hours, but they must be on “Airplane Mode’ Or “Schoottime” mode so as not to cause distractions.
The policy also says parents are “encouraged to refrain” from calling or texting their children during the school day. But they can contact their children via mobile phone outside of school hours. IF they need to contact their child in school, they should call the school’s telephone number. And if a child contacts their parents during school hours through their cell phone, the parents are reminded to “reinforce responsible student technology use” and remind their children they are in school to learn.
“These are just expectations for now,” says Dr. Dyson. “As the Board develops its policy, we will continue to define our regulations.”
By Kevin McManus