BALTIMORE – Anne Arundel County Public Schools is cracking down on cell phone use in an effort to increase student productivity in the classroom.

• Elementary and middle school students must turn off or silence their phones and keep them out of sight throughout the school day, including during lunch periods and in the hallways when moving between classes.

• High school students are allowed to use their phones during lunch, but must turn them off or put them on silent and keep them out of sight at all other times, including in the hallways when moving between classes.

“I want to be clear that this is not a cell phone ban like other districts across the country have done,” said Dr. Mark Bedell, superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools. “These are policy changes as part of an effort to refocus precious time on instruction, which everyone we’ve spoken to agrees is critically important. I have complete confidence that if given the right structures, our students will do the right thing. However, as superintendent, I will not hesitate to have further conversations with the school board and the community about a full ban should the need arise.”

According to the school district, students who use their cell phones in violation of policy will be subject to “progressive disciplinary action, beginning with a warning and, if necessary, leading to confiscation of their phone and possibly other disciplinary action.”

Confiscated phones must be picked up by a parent or guardian.