Cell Phone Policy Guidance

• Phones and phone accessories, such as AirPods and earbuds, must be off and in backpacks or another location in the classroom under the control of the teacher for the duration of the school day.
• Cell phones and other personal electronic devices may be used on school grounds only before and after school.
• Smart watches and other wearable devices may be worn, but features equivalent to those on a smartphone, including texting and phone calls, are to be off when cellphone use is prohibited.
• Students are also prohibited from using personal devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency.

• Phones must be off and put away during all instructional periods. Phone accessories, such as AirPods and earbuds, are prohibited when phone use is prohibited.
• Cell phones and other personal electronic devices may be used on campus before the first bell, after the last bell, during passing periods and during lunch.
• Storage may be in a locker, backpack, purse or other designated place during classes.
• Smart watches and other wearable devices may be worn but features equivalent to those on a smartphone, including texting and phone calls, are to be off when cellphone use is prohibited.
• Students are also prohibited from using personal devices in restrooms and locker rooms unless there is a medical necessity or emergency.

• Students must comply with staff directives and the provisions of this policy to avoid disruption of the educational environment, or they may be subject to disciplinary actions.
• Parents/guardians should not contact their student on their personal wireless communication devices during the school day. Parents/guardians should contact the office with urgent messages for students and the office will facilitate communication.
• The student is responsible for adhering to these guidelines and always securing their belongings. Classes and/or instruction will not be stopped to resolve or search for a lost personal wireless communication device.

Students are not allowed to create, access, or share content that is incompatible with a K-12 educational environment. Examples include:

• Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency.
• Phones and other personal devices cannot be used to photograph or audio or video record students, staff, or other Arlington Public Schools community members on school property unless directed by a teacher for a specific instructional purpose.
• Students are prohibited from sharing content that is obscene, contains profanity, or that involves or threatens illegal acts.
• Content that bullies, harasses, threatens, or degrades others is strictly prohibited
• Teachers, administrators, and staff members may allow the use of cell phones, smart watches, airpods, earbuds, or video-recording devices when appropriate for a specific instructional purpose, however the devices provided by APS meet most needs.

• School staff shall first request that a student turn off and put away their personal devices, including cellphones. If a student complies, no further action is needed.
• If a student does not comply or must be requested to turn off and put away their device either multiple times within one class period or consistently across multiple class periods, the teacher or instructional staff may make a referral to the appropriate administrator in the student information system. Administrative team members include principals, assistant principals, deans, or directors of counseling.
• The administrator will respond to the referral in alignment with Arlington Public Schools Code of Conduct procedures. In alignment with those procedures, the device may be confiscated by an administrator who will request that the parent/guardian come in to collect the device and have a discussion about the student’s noncompliance.
• If noncompliance continues, progressive measures of discipline will be used as alternatives to suspension to the maximum extent possible in consultation with the Director of SchoolClimate & Culture or designee

These procedures are in place to support student success and well-being by maximizing instructional time and limiting distractions in the classroom. Our goal is to ensure students are fully present and engaged in the classroom, encourage appropriate technology use, and support teachers in removing a well-documented source of distraction. We believe this will help create an engaged learning environment that increases focus on academics, strengthens interpersonal connections, and supports student safety, mental health and privacy.

The policy is in place to support students in their academic success by removing a major distraction. Cell phones on desks can be tempting distractions, even for conscientious students. Studies suggest that it can take up to 10 minutes for the brain to reengage after responding to cell phone distractions. A study published in the medical journal JAMA Psychiatry, found that kids ages 12 to 15 who spend more than three hours per day on social media had double the rate of mental health issues like depression and anxiety.    

The PIP M-12 takes effect for the 2024-25 school year at all 41 schools in Arlington. The new policy will be open for Public Comment from August 19-September 23, and the School Board will vote on the policy in December, following comment and feedback from the community.

At the elementary school and middle school level, all devices will need to be off and away in backpacks or lockers during the school day. At the high school level, all devices need to be off and away during instructional periods—students may use devices in between classes, before the first class and after the last class of the day. With the approval of the principal or their designee, teachers may allow usage of cell phones for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool; however, APS-issued devices should meet most needs.

Phone accessories, such as airpods and earbuds, are also to be away when phone use is prohibited. Smart watches and other wearable devices may be worn, but features equivalent to those on a smartphone, including texting, phone calls, and internet applications are to be off when cellphone use is prohibited. Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency.

Parents/guardians or school staff with knowledge of students who require access to personally owned devices as an accommodation or for a medical need shall make requests for such accommodations or medical needs through the 504, IEP, or Individualized Health Care Plans (IHP) as applicable. For example, some students with diabetes may use their cell phones as a medical device to track their blood sugar levels. Addenda can be made to IEPs, 504 plans, and IHPs. Families should contact their school’s Student Support Coordinator, the student’s case manager, or school health nurse to request this accommodation be considered by the appropriate team.

Students and families/guardians will receive the PIP at the beginning of the school year via email and text message and must read the notice. Schools will also have hard copies. A student and/or parent’s failure to read the guidelines does not exempt a student from the responsibility to follow these guidelines.

Students may use their phones on the bus but not on field trips, unless the field trip is overnight.

To reach your student in case of emergency, contact your school’s front office.

Our students and staff regularly practice lockdown drills and are directed to follow our emergency response plans. Every classroom is equipped with a phone intercom in case of emergency. All schools have an extensive intrusion alarm system, which is monitored 24/7. School staff (including School Safety Coordinators) will have cell phones.

Students will have access to their phones in an emergency – they are currently just required to be off during the school day for elementary and middle school, and off during instructional periods for high school students. Nothing in these rules prevents a student from being able to use their cellphone or personal device in the case of an emergency, as defined in Policy E-3.31 Safety and Security-Policy Definitions, while on school property, if they can safely access the device. Principals may authorize students to use personal devices during weather emergencies to coordinate with parents/guardians regarding early dismissals. However, it is important to note that certain emergency procedures like lockdown require staff and students to remain silent, including vibrations or sounds from cellphones or personal devices.

School staff shall first request that a student turn off and put away their personal devices, including cellphones. If a student complies, no further action is needed.  If a student does not comply or must be requested to turn off and put away their device either multiple times within one class period or consistently across multiple class periods, the teacher or instructional staff may make a referral to the appropriate administrator in the student information system. Administrative team members include principals, assistant principals, deans, or directors of counseling.  The administrator will respond to the referral in alignment with Arlington Public Schools Code of Conduct procedures. In alignment with those procedures, the device may be confiscated by an administrator who will request that the parent/guardian come in to collect the device and discuss the student’s noncompliance.  If non-compliance continues, progressive measures of discipline will be used as alternatives to suspension to the maximum extent possible in consultation with the Director of School Climate & Culture or designee. Specific examples of leveled responses are included in the Arlington Public Schools Code of Conduct and Policy Implementation Procedure J-7.4 PIP- Policy Implementation Procedure M-12 PIP-11 Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices and  APS Leveled Interventions and Responses for Student Behaviors.

We will gather feedback from teachers and staff and conduct surveys with students and families for input prior to the finalization of the policy in December.