School cell phone policies

[SFG75]

This is a HUGE issue and I know a lot of administrators are debating the merits of rules pertaining to cell phones. Some policies state that students can have a cell phone with their belongings, but that it has to be off. Other schools allow students to use them during lunch periods and before and after school while on school property. Yet others have a draconian band. What do you think the best policy is/or should be? For our younger members here, what are the policies of your school and how well does it work in your opinion?

 

[Gilgamesh]

My kids' school ok's the phones, but needs to be off during school hours.

I agree with the policy. They shouldn't be disturbed while in class. Even during recess, they should be socializing with each other.

And when the school is done, the phones can be such a lifesaver for parents. Like a [-]leash[/-], I mean the phones can be a great tool for communication.

Ring Ring...

Son: "hello?"

Dad: "Hey, I'm parked at the corner. Come on over and get in the car."

 

[joderu95]

In my district phones are allowed but are not supposed to be used during class. This, of course, is hardly the disincentive the kids need to not use them and they are a major source of distraction. The district is currently considering whether or not to ban them outright.

Parents tend to abuse the hell out of the convenience of cell phones by "texting" kids about the ever more common "emergencies" that have arisen in the last several years.

Most common is the "what-if-a-terrorist-invades-the-school-and-my-Mom-needs-to-get-ahold-of-me" defense, which uses the very weak, worse case disaster tactic and is remote in the extreme. I say when it comes to cell phones in school, go draconinian.

 

[Robert]

In my district phones are allowed but are not supposed to be used during class. This, of course, is hardly the disincentive the kids need to not use them and they are a major source of distraction. The district is currently considering whether or not to ban them outright.

Parents tend to abuse the hell out of the convenience of cell phones by "texting" kids about the ever more common "emergencies" that have arisen in the last several years.

Most common is the "what-if-a-terrorist-invades-the-school-and-my-Mom-needs-to-get-ahold-of-me" defense, which uses the very weak, worse case disaster tactic and is remote in the extreme. I say when it comes to cell phones in school, go draconinian.

I disagree. In my area alone, we've had enough disasters that I believe those fears are not all together unfounded. Many in my area lost friends and family when the pentagon was hit on 9-11, there was the slaying of the Lisk sisters and Sophia Silva, The DC Sniper, not to mention the occational automobile accident that happen in transit to & from schools. We even had one of the local schools evacuated because of foul fumes from the sewage system, some of the students taken to the hospital for precaution after feeling faint. Then then of course are the occasional school shootings and Timothy McVeigh. I can understand why parents might want their children to be able to checkin.

 

[abecedarian]

I disagree. In my area alone, we've had enough disasters that I believe those fears are not all together unfounded. Many in my area lost friends and family when the pentagon was hit on 9-11, there was the slaying of the Lisk sisters and Sophia Silva, The DC Sniper, not to mention the occational automobile accident that happen in transit to & from schools. We even had one of the local schools evacuated because of foul fumes from the sewage system, some of the students taken to the hospital for precaution after feeling faint. Then then of course are the occasional school shootings and Timothy McVeigh. I can understand why parents might want their children to be able to checkin.

You know.. now that I read your post, the thought occured to me...we live less than a mile from the high school. It would be cheaper and possibly even, ok with the school, if we bought two sets of small two-way radios. Three students, and mom having a phone. We used them when we took a roadtrip a couple of years ago. Last year, I wished at least one of them had a cell phone when he got stranded at the school after play practice several times. By that time the office was locked up, and he had to track down a grumpy janitor who didn't want to allow him to use a phone to call for a ride. I must talk to Mr. Abc further on this..

 

[Robert]

You know.. now that I read your post, the thought occured to me...we live less than a mile from the high school. It would be cheaper and possibly even, ok with the school, if we bought two sets of small two-way radios. Three students, and mom having a phone. We used them when we took a roadtrip a couple of years ago. Last year, I wished at least one of them had a cell phone when he got stranded at the school after play practice several times. By that time the office was locked up, and he had to track down a grumpy janitor who didn't want to allow him to use a phone to call for a ride. I must talk to Mr. Abc further on this..

Can you get cheap radios with that kind of range? It might be more cost effective to get a couple of inexpensive cell phones that operate on a pay as you go basis. They're inexpensive, and you can use them to call 911 even if you dont' have minutes.

 

[abecedarian]

Can you get cheap radios with that kind of range? It might be more cost effective to get a couple of inexpensive cell phones that operate on a pay as you go basis. They're inexpensive, and you can use them to call 911 even if you dont' have minutes.

If we lived in Wichita, that would work. But we're in a small rural town, with a separate phone company and the reception for a WallyWorld phone is crap out here. Even a nicer Verizon or Virgin won't work. Our local company has cell service, but they don't do pay as you go and my daughter has been unhappy with their billing practices. There's some nice two-ways at Walmart, with a two mile range. That's really all we'd need, I would think.

 

[Robert]

If we lived in Wichita, that would work. But we're in a small rural town, with a separate phone company and the reception for a WallyWorld phone is crap out here. Even a nicer Verizon or Virgin won't work. Our local company has cell service, but they don't do pay as you go and my daughter has been unhappy with their billing practices. There's some nice two-ways at Walmart, with a two mile range. That's really all we'd need, I would think.

I'd be curious to know how well they work. Is that 2 mile line of sight providing there are no ferrous mineral deposits or steel structures to interfere?

 

[abecedarian]

I'd be curious to know how well they work. Is that 2 mile line of sight providing there are no ferrous mineral deposits or steel structures to interfere?

Good question. We used them on a roadtrip to Skiatook Oklahoma, and while driving back from Salina and Kansas City. That was all on open freeways, so there was nothing blocking signals..Between us and the school is just a few houses and a row or two of trees. We can test it with the set we already own. If it works, it might be worth buy a second set.

 

[Robert]

Good question. We used them on a roadtrip to Skiatook Oklahoma, and while driving back from Salina and Kansas City. That was all on open freeways, so there was nothing blocking signals..Between us and the school is just a few houses and a row or two of trees. We can test it with the set we already own. If it works, it might be worth buy a second set.

Sounds like a plan. Good luck!

 

[joderu95]

I disagree. In my area alone, we've had enough disasters that I believe those fears are not all together unfounded. Many in my area lost friends and family when the pentagon was hit on 9-11, there was the slaying of the Lisk sisters and Sophia Silva, The DC Sniper, not to mention the occational automobile accident that happen in transit to & from schools. We even had one of the local schools evacuated because of foul fumes from the sewage system, some of the students taken to the hospital for precaution after feeling faint. Then then of course are the occasional school shootings and Timothy McVeigh. I can understand why parents might want their children to be able to checkin.

I think you misunderstand when I say "emergencies" despite my use of quotations. I am talking about petty day-to-day crap that students are using their phones for 99 times out of 100 and then saying it was an emergency. How does a child at school with a cell phone do any good in an event like 9/11? Is there not a phone system already in place in the school?

 

[abecedarian]

I think you misunderstand when I say "emergencies" despite my use of quotations. I am talking about petty day-to-day crap that students are using their phones for 99 times out of 100 and then saying it was an emergency. How does a child at school with a cell phone do any good in an event like 9/11? Is there not a phone system already in place in the school?

The type of emergency I was thinking of is a situation that popped up several times during play rehearsals last year. My son didn't want me waiting around for him, so I'd drop him off for the evening, but I had no way to know when he was finished. By this time, the offices were locked, and he had to track down a surly janitor who was not happy to have to let him in to make a phone call. Since he was new to the school, he didn't feel he could ask to borrow someone's phone to call me. I bet he'll be the driver who won't ask directions either

 

[joderu95]

Abc, the difference in that situation is that it is after school and so for that a cell phone could be left with the main office and he could get it at the end of the school day right?

My point is during the school day cell phones are used far, far more to talk to friends and even parents about trivial crap rather than make that life-saving emergency phone call.

 

[abecedarian]

Abc, the difference in that situation is that it is after school and so for that a cell phone could be left with the main office and he could get it at the end of the school day right?

My point is during the school day cell phones are used far, far more to talk to friends and even parents about trivial crap rather than make that life-saving emergency phone call.

Definately. During a schoolday, there really isn't a need for a cellphone at all. Even if they miss the bus and need to call home, the office is open til at least 4 or so.

 

[Robert]

Sure, that's a great idea! Have them leave the phone at the office. Can you see 350 kids trying to get through the office to collect their cell phone before they miss their bus? Or perhaps 350 kids trying to get their phones to call home to let mom know that they're fine, that it was another parents child that injured in the fire?

 

[abecedarian]

Sure, that's a great idea! Have them leave the phone at the office. Can you see 350 kids trying to get through the office to collect their cell phone before they miss their bus? Or perhaps 350 kids trying to get their phones to call home to let mom know that they're fine, that it was another parents child that injured in the fire?

Oops! You're right Robert. I guess the best policy is the one our school district has adopted whereby students may carry their cell phones, but they must be turned off during school hours. Violators risk having their phones confiscated. I doubt that's a permanent confiscation, btw. Just meant to remind students that phone used during class is poor form. We just won't be buying phones for our kids.