Starting this fall, Anne Arundel County public schools are implementing stricter cell phone policies across all grade levels.

For elementary and middle school students, the rules are clear-cut: phones must be silenced or powered off and kept out of sight throughout the entire school day. This policy extends to lunch periods and hallway transitions between classes.

High school students will have slightly more flexibility. While they’re permitted to use their phones during lunch breaks, devices must remain silent and hidden during all other times of the school day.

These changes aim to minimize distractions and promote a more focused learning environment. School officials hope the new policies will encourage students to engage more fully with their peers and academic activities.