At many middle and high schools across Fairfax County, students leave their bulky backpacks at home and come to school with their iPads and laptops. Now Langley students will be able to join the trend, thanks to changes in the school technology policy.

In a special announcement during Saxon Time today, assistant principal Fred Amico detailed the new policy, which creates four color-coded categories of usage. The red category prohibits all technology use, and is in effect in testing situations. The yellow category requires electronic devices to be on silent and stored away; it applies during class time. The blue category means that students can use their electronics during class, and is only in effect if a teacher allows it. And finally, the green category, which allows students to use their technology openly, applies during lunch and passing time.

The policy applies to smartphones, laptops, netbooks, tablets, and e-readers with WiFi capabilities.

Students who want to use their personal electronics must fill out a “Personally Owned Computing Devices Permission Form.” The form, which can be found on Langley’s website, and any devices must be brought to the tech room next to Hertzler Hall in order to be verified. Tech specialists Mr. Horton and Mr. Choobineh will be conducting verifications during Saxon Time for the next two weeks.

The new policy has been well received by students. “I think [it] is very useful because no one will have to worry about getting their phones taken away if they are using them appropriately,” said freshman Danny Kostelancik.

Many teachers at Langley also agree with the new policy. “Bringing outside devices is a good idea, it’s up to the students to decide how to use them,” said Choobineh.

“I think it [the new policy] realistically reflects a nice merger between how kids use their phones in school and the necessity of classroom usage, and at the same time giving teachers control of their classrooms,” added 9th grade history teacher Steve Plunkett.