Frederick County Public Schools Renew Cell Phone Policies
By: Patricia Martellotti
Updated: September 6, 2012
FREDERICK, MD - It's hard to imagine life without cell phones. As states mandate laws restricting the use of cell phones while driving, the Frederick County school system has policies on the usage of phones and other related gadgets on campus.
"Right now students are allowed to bring cell phones and devices on to school property. We ask generally that they have them off and put away, except if there is a request from administrator or teacher. There might be exceptions," says FCPS Communications Director Michael Doerrer.
But with technology fast becoming more important in education, school officials in Frederick say it's time to renew the cell phone policies.
"Cell phones are a way of life now. Everybody seems to have them. They're out there. If they're used in a correct way as a means to support instruction it can be a great thing," says FCPS Technology Director Bill Boyer.
There's a good chance those policies will include more relaxed restrictions for students.
While the school board is still in the preliminary stages of the cell phone policy, some concerns have already been laid out on the table.
"Could it be used for cheating? Are they disruptive to the classroom? Do they take away from instruction to children? Those are some of the ones we have to look at," says Boyer.
The principal of Thomas Johnson High School, Marty Tarr, feels optimistic about using cell phones on campus.
"It's an opportunity to teach students responsibility in the use of electronic devices," says Tarr.
Currently students are not allowed to use their phones during the lunch hour, but with the new cell phone policy underway, this could change.
"Right now students are allowed to bring cell phones and devices on to school property. We ask generally that they have them off and put away, except if there is a request from administrator or teacher. There might be exceptions," says FCPS Communications Director Michael Doerrer.
But with technology fast becoming more important in education, school officials in Frederick say it's time to renew the cell phone policies.
"Cell phones are a way of life now. Everybody seems to have them. They're out there. If they're used in a correct way as a means to support instruction it can be a great thing," says FCPS Technology Director Bill Boyer.
There's a good chance those policies will include more relaxed restrictions for students.
While the school board is still in the preliminary stages of the cell phone policy, some concerns have already been laid out on the table.
"Could it be used for cheating? Are they disruptive to the classroom? Do they take away from instruction to children? Those are some of the ones we have to look at," says Boyer.
The principal of Thomas Johnson High School, Marty Tarr, feels optimistic about using cell phones on campus.
"It's an opportunity to teach students responsibility in the use of electronic devices," says Tarr.
Currently students are not allowed to use their phones during the lunch hour, but with the new cell phone policy underway, this could change.
