• Cell phones and personal devices(airpods, earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day(bell to bell). Phones can be stored in a locker or backpack during the day.
• Phone accessories are also to be silenced and away when phone use is prohibited. Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone 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.
• Cell phones are not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.

• Cell phones and personal devices(airpods, earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day(bell to bell). Phones can be stored in a locker or backpack during the day.
• Phone accessories are also to be silenced and away when phone use is prohibited. Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone 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.
• Cell phones are not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.

• Cell phones and personal devices(airpods, earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day(bell to bell) with the exception of lunch time in designated lunch spaces. Phones can be stored in a locker or backpack during the day.
• Phone accessories are also to be silenced and away when phone use is prohibited. Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone 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.
• Cell phones are not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.

The cell phone policy is aimed at supporting the overall health, safety, and well-being of K–12 students. FCPS is committed to promoting a learning-focused environment, and the policy is designed to minimize distractions and help students remain engaged in learning. Research indicates that it can take the brain up to 10 minutes to refocus after being interrupted by a cell phone notification, which can significantly impact academic performance.

FCPS' cell phone expectations for students help foster engagement, learning, and positive social behavior in the classroom. 

Young people report ( Common Sense , 2023) that they have difficulty self-regulating their own technology use, even when it gets in the way of socializing, school or home obligations, or getting a good night's sleep. Educators and mental health professionals  advise that students who do not use their phones to communicate during the school day: 

• Have fewer distractions and less difficulty learning.
• Experience more face-to-face interactions with peers and teachers, which are important to social-emotional wellbeing.
• Have more opportunities to develop resilience and independent problem-solving skills.

FCPS has had a cell phone policy in place since the 2022-2023 school year (approved by the School Board on June 16, 2022).  The updated version took effect on July 1, 2025, in accordance with School Board approval on May 8, 2025.

Yes, there are exceptions. If your student needs access to their phone or phone accessories (e.g. headphones or earbuds) for medical accommodations, it is important to note that the current cell phone policy and guidelines have not changed. Therefore, students who currently require access to a cell phone or another personally owned device for medical reasons, or an accommodation to access the curriculum and make progress to their individualized goals, will continue to have such access. Schools are required to provide a method for students with approved accommodations to communicate their need to access their device(s) and to allow students access without being subjected to discipline.

If you believe your child requires a cell phone accommodation, please reach out to your school administrator or IEP/Section 504 case manager.

In accordance with  Regulation 2601 , phones must be off and personally stored (i.e., backpacks, lockers, etc.) unless the school has chosen a different method of storage for all students, such as pouches.

The definition of bell to bell is as follows: after the first bell rings at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the school day. “Bell to bell” includes lunch and in between classes for elementary and middle school students; high school students may use their cell phones during lunch in designated lunch areas.

Parents/guardians are asked to avoid contacting their student(s) directly on personal devices during the school day. For urgent, non-emergency messages, please contact the school’s main office. School staff will ensure that important information is communicated to students in a timely manner.

We encourage families to talk to their student about the FCPS cell phone policy and support their student by:

• Contacting the school’s front office (rather than the student directly) if there is a family emergency.
• Only communicating about non-urgent matters before or after the school day.
• Waiting to respond to non-urgent texts from students until the school day is over.

In accordance with the SR&R Family Guide, Appendix A: Acceptable Use Policy, students utilizing personally owned electronic devices on school premises are subject to the following provisions: 

• Policy Adherence: All stipulations outlined in this document remain applicable when personally owned devices are used on school property, during school-sponsored activities, or while connected to the FCPS network.
• Exclusive FCPS Wi-Fi Connectivity: Personally owned devices with wireless capabilities are permitted to connect exclusively to the FCPS Wi-Fi network (excluding private cellular services) while on FCPS premises, during times as specified in the cell phone policy.
• Required Antivirus Software: You must have current antivirus software installed and running on your personal device before connecting to the FCPS network.
• Prohibition of Disruptive Software: No device integrated into the FCPS network shall contain software capable of monitoring, analyzing, or potentially disrupting the FCPS network.
• Disclaimer of FCPS Responsibility: FCPS disclaims responsibility for any loss, theft, damage, or associated replacement or repair costs incurred for a personal device as a consequence of student participation in the BYOD initiative
• Absence of Personal Device Support: FCPS staff are not responsible for the storage, technical support, or troubleshooting of personal devices.
• Student Responsibility for Device Security: Students bear full responsibility for their personally owned devices and are obligated to secure all such devices appropriately when not in use.
• Monitoring and Confiscation: FCPS reserves the right to monitor and investigate all devices and activities occurring on the FCPS network. Devices may also be confiscated by school officials in accordance with the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. 

Students may not use headphones/earbuds during the school day. In accordance with  Regulation 2601 , phone accessories and all smart devices (e.g., airpods, earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, other items connected to the phone) are to be off and away when phone use is prohibited.

In accordance with Appendix B of the  Family Guide , students may use their cell phones on school buses under the following conditions:

• Students must not talk on the cell phone, except in the case of an emergency.
• Texting or listening to music or video is permissible with earphones.

Students are not permitted to use cell phones during field trips, as these activities are considered part of the instructional day.

Page 17 of FCPS  Regulation 2601 includes the Discipline Matrix for Cell Phone Violations.  

All students are expected to follow the established policy and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). Students who do not comply will face consequences outlined in the SR&R.

If a student’s cell phone has been confiscated as a result of not following the policy, the cell phone may be picked up from the school office at the end of the school (after the last bell that ends the instructional day).

FCPS emphasizes the importance of respecting the privacy of all students, staff, and community members. Taking photos, audio recordings, or videos of others without their permission is prohibited on school property and during school-related activities unless prior approval has been granted. Recording misconduct is not allowed and may result in disciplinary action. This includes the unauthorized use of cell phones in restrooms, locker rooms, or on school buses.

Additionally, the use, creation, distribution, or receipt of content that contains profanity, obscenity, or material that bullies, harasses, threatens, offends, or demeans others is strictly prohibited. This includes the misuse of artificial intelligence tools to impersonate others.

The cell phone policy, in conjunction with the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) which can be found in  Appendix A of the SR&R Family Guide , encourages the Principles of Responsible Digital Citizenship by fostering an environment characterized by safety, mutual respect, and accountability.  Students engage in classroom learning around digital citizenship.

In accordance with the  SR&R Family Guide, Appendix E: Cell Phones and Cell Phone Accessories , cell phones and/or cell phone accessories, including secure storage and care of these items, are the sole responsibility of the student. FCPS is not responsible for the security or safety of cell phones and/or cell phone accessories, nor for any loss, damage, or theft of these items.  

Students are responsible for following all applicable policies, including the SR&R, and for ensuring their personal belongings are secure.