What if my child needs access to their phone for medical accommodations? If your student needs access to their phone 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.

What if I need to contact my child? To reach your student in case of emergency, contact your school's front office.

Will students be able to use cell phones for instructional activities? Teachers will be directed not to use cell phones for instructional activities at the storage pilot schools.

Can my child use their cell phone during after-school activities? The phone-free pilot program only applies to instructional time. Please contact your child's school regarding its particular policy for after-school programming.

Why can’t FCPS just enforce its existing phone policy instead of storing student cell phones? FCPS has rules against students using cell phones in class, but having to constantly enforce these rules takes time, energy, and focus away from teaching. 33% of middle school teachers and 72% of high school teachers surveyed nationwide say that students being distracted by their cell phones is a “major problem” in their classroom, and 30% say cell phone policies are “somewhat” or “very difficult” to enforce. By locking cell phones, our teachers can spend more time teaching and less time asking students to put their phones away.

What if there is an emergency at school? 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 Resource Officers) will not be required to store their cell phones. 

How will students be able to contact families if there is a lockdown situation? Law enforcement officials have reported that cell phones create a distraction for students that can compromise their safety during an emergency. It can also alert an intruder to their location. 

How can I support my child's responsible technology use? FCPS has a digital citizenship resource webpage for families, which includes:

• Tip Sheets about cyberbullying, family media agreements, managing screen time, and more.
• Recorded webinars about digital wellness and citizenship, what families should know about buying new devices, and more.
• Podcasts

Which middle schools are participating? The following schools are participating in the cell phone storage pilot program:

• Frost Middle School
• Irving Middle School
• Jackson Middle School
• Poe Middle School
• Robinson Middle school
• Thoreau Middle School 
• Twain Middle School

What is the daily storage process? Every student in the pilot program will be provided a personally assigned Yondr pouch at no cost to families. Students must bring their pouch to school with them each day. The pouch is the responsibility of the student for the entire year.

1. As students arrive at school, they will place their phones in silent or airplane mode when the first bell sounds. Smartwatches also need to be placed in silent or airplane mode. 
2. Phones will then be placed inside their backpacks and secured. If a student brings airpods to school, these must also go in a student’s backpack.
3. The cell phone policy will be enforced bell to bell each school day. Students will maintain possession of their phones and will not use them until their pouches are opened at the end of the school day at an unlocking station. 
4. When leaving school, students will use a Yondr base to unlock their pouch and retrieve their phone. 

When will FCPS distribute the pouches to students? Tuesday, September 3.

What happens if a student forgets their pouch? If a student forgets their pouch, they must come to the front office to have their phones stored there for the school day. The phone will be returned to the student at dismissal.

If a student consistently forgets their pouch, it will be considered lost. Parents/guardians will be notified, and a replacement pouch will be provided at the student’s expense.

What if the pouch is damaged, lost, or stolen? If a student damages or loses their pouch, school staff will collect the phone/pouch and send it to the front office for the remainder of the school day. The student will be assessed an $18 replacement fee.

What happens if a student unlocks their pouch, purposefully damages it, or uses an alternate phone? Students will be subject to disciplinary action, including confiscation, detention, and temporary loss of phone privileges.

Will my student’s phone be safe? Phones never leave the possession of the students, unless confiscated for policy violations.

What if a student needs to leave school before regular dismissal? Students will be able to unlock their devices at school just prior to an approved early dismissal. If they need to return to school, the pouch will be locked upon re-entry.

What happens if a student forgets to unlock the pouch before leaving school? The student may return to school to unlock their phone before the last late bus leaves. Otherwise, they will have to wait until the next morning’s arrival. 

How many unlocking stations will there be and where will they be located? Yondr staff will assist with determining the most appropriate number of unlocking station locations in each school based on the number of students, in order to maintain a safe and timely dismissal process at each school. They will provide training for the unlocking stations. 

How will students know whose pouch is whose? When pouches are distributed during the third week of school year 2024-25, each one will be numerically assigned to a student. School staff will record the pouch assignments, but students will be personally responsible for their pouch for the duration of the school year and keep their pouch with them at all times during the school day. 

Will each teacher be able to unlock student pouches in the event of an emergency situation? No. Individual teachers will not be able to unlock the pouches.

Which high schools are participating? The following schools are participating in the cell phone storage pilot program:

• Edison High School
• Falls Church High School
• Justice High School
• Lewis High School
• Madison High School
• McLean High School
• Robinson High School
• Westfield High School

Will my student’s phone be safe? Phones never leave the classroom without being in possession of the student, unless confiscated for policy violations.