Input needed: Screen use study in schools

9/9/2026 10:47 pm

Did you know MCPS is conducting a review of student screen time and digital device use in elementary and middle schools? Their report, due in March 2027, will outline any proposed changes to the district’s approach to student screen time and digital learning.

Schools Beyond Screen MCPS and the MCCPTA Technology Committee are preparing a list of recommendations for MCPS to reduce screen time and reduce the risk to students due to their access to harmful content on school devices. These recommendations will be presented at a community listening session planned for October to include legislators, board members, candidates, and MCPS leaders. Your feedback can help to develop the recommendations. If interested, please respond to this brief survey no later than September 30.

Share Your Feedback for Next Year's School Year Calendar

9/9/2026 10:41 pm

MCPS is seeking your input as it works to develop the 2027-2028 AND 2028-2029 school calendar. Please complete this survey by Sept. 20 to share your input. Your feedback is critical to the process. Note: Select "Region 3" for our WJ High School Cluster!

NTIA Public Listening Session on Screen-Based Instruction in K-12 Schools

8/28/2026 7:16 am

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is holding a public listening session on September 15, 2026, from 7:00pm - 8:30pm EDT to hear directly from parents, educators, students, and child development experts about their experiences with screen time in the classroom.

Participants will be invited to share their thoughts on discussion prompts relating to excessive screen time, digital device use in the classroom, and other related topics. These insights will help inform federal policy efforts.

This event is open to participation from any interested stakeholder and NTIA will prioritize contributions from parents, educators, and students, with about three minutes allotted per speaker.  The session will be recorded and posted online; participants under the age of 18 are asked to avoid providing personally identifying information during registration or during the session itself.

More information about the session is available in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/27/2026-17435/ntia-listening-session-on-screen-based-instruction-in-k-12-schools.

Zoom Registration Link: https://ntia-gov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_5d_mlac6So-Eb6Q5bJ93ag#/registration

Please contact kids@ntia.gov with any questions.

2026 MCCPTA Summer Area Advocacy Meeting

8/8/2026 6:13 pm

The upcoming school year is quickly approaching.  The Ashburton Elementary School would like to communicate that you, along with all community members from the B-CC, Walter Johnson and Whitman cluster schools, are invited to attend the 2026 MCCPTA Summer Area Advocacy Meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 6:45-9pm at North Bethesda Middle School Cafeteria (8935 Bradmoor Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817.)  The meeting will begin with a complimentary light dinner and mingling with MCCPTA and MCPS leaders. After that, breakout sessions will be organized to discuss school issues most important to our community. Notetakers will be memorializing the feedback and this information will inform MCCPTA advocacy at the local level, testimony at Board of Education and County Council hearings and lobbying efforts in Annapolis.

Your voice is important in the work of our robust and effective advocacy framework.  It starts with your voice, so we need to hear from you!

ACTION: Please fill out this very brief survey link to by Tuesday, 8/18 at noon to a) help plan for food and beverages; and b) indicate any school-related issues that you would like to discuss. Some suggested topics so far include:  the upcoming elementary school boundary study, technology use and cell-phone polices, special education, safety and security and communication and transparency.

Any questions?  Feel free to email MCCPTA Area VP Cathy Stocker at: catherinewstocker@gmail.com

MCPS To Present New Tech Policy to BOE on May 7

5/4/2026 1:24 pm

On May 7, MCPS will be presenting its final "IGS" (technology policy) to the Board of Education (see agenda). This is a great opportunity for as many of us as possible to provide oral or written testimony on our views on screens in schools! 

2026–2027 School Year Calendar Amendments

5/4/2026 1:33 pm

The Board of Education has approved amendments to the 2026–2027 School Year Calendar to align with updated state requirements and support student learning milestones.