New Policy: APS school board adopts all-day ban on student phone use, makes one exception

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a real-life HS student (not a 3rd grader) at a school where phones are officially banned. Kids still use them sparingly and the teachers generally overlook it.

I got a quick text this morning (between classes) saying that an after-school activity is cancelled, which is helpful for me to receive now so I can rearrange my schedule to pick the kid up several hours earlier.

If kid told me this at 2:30 it'd be a huge PITA.

Are the nasty PPs really so unimaginative that they can't think of [i]any[/] scenarios when phones would be helpful? GMAFB.

Okay, I actually would be okay with kids having flip phones.

We can get Tello with 500 text a month for $5, a flip phone is like what $50? Maybe it would eh cheaper just to issue every student a school flip phone rather than pouch?

But that would probably be fine.

1 minute text on smart phone vs 1 minute text on flip phone. No difference.

I have a bridge to sell you if you all think that kids will limit their phone usage to “1-minute texts to parents.”

If they are shuffling between classes in a massive building there really isn’t that much time. You clearly don’t have HS kids in APS.

Anyway, some whiny poster was asking for “just one reason” why kids might need their phones between classes. I gave one.

I support teachers who want to ban phones in their classroom, but I’m glad that my kid’s teachers aren’t so rigid; they are ok with kids sending a text every now and then between classes.

Actually, I'm that person and I asked why it was so critical - not why they might use it.
To explain what I mean by critical: so essential that the need cannot be met by another means.

Sorry - there were so many requests for "just one reason!!!!!" the original question got lost.

I would say there is no "critical" reason for it. Just like there is no "critical" reason for most people to have a smart phone. They do make our lives easier though which is why almost everyone has one.

I support teachers who want to ban phones in their classroom, but I’m glad that my kid’s teachers aren’t so rigid; they are ok with kids sending a text every now and then between classes. It's all about balance.

Unnecessarily rigid rules won't be followed in practice. They don't provide any additional benefit and they aren't practical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At Yorktown they are allowed to use them in a quiet spot in the library. DD tells me she doesn’t have time during the day to go to said spot. So if she needs to get us a message I guess she does it while going to the bathroom.

But schedule changes happen all the time in high school. Something was cancelled today so I didn’t have to pick her up from school. She rode the bus. Nice to get that message so I didn’t have to rush to leave the office at 4 to pick her up.

this is what the parents of younger kids just do not get. There are a lot of schedule shifts with high school activities that just don't happen with littles.

Dude. Let go of the idea that the “only” people favoring the ban are parents with little kids. I am in favor, and I have a HS student.

It’s like you all have no idea of how to do a cost benefit analysis and the “cost” to YOU of last minute scheduling changes completely outweighs the entire body of scientific evidence along with your children’s teachers of cell phones harm. To keep harping on this issue of last minute schedule changes as if it’s the end of the universe for our over scheduled HS students is not convincing anyone. We all think your child will probably benefit from having to figure out last minute schedules changes on their own and NO ONE CARES HOW HARD IT IS FOR YOU TOBE SOMEHWHAT INCONVENIENCED by not being tethered to your kid.

Where are these studies that show that sending an occasional text between classes is harmful?

You are being overly rigid on this and seem incapable of understanding nuance. Maybe reflect on that.

DP. I don't care whether using phones between classes is "harmful" or not. It's not about "harm" for me. Others cite how students communicate via phone during the school day to arrange nefarious behaviors. All of that is distraction from the learning environment and the purpose of everyone being there. It affects more than the individuals engaging in the nonsense.

Do I really care if Johnny wants to send Mommy a text telling her the grade on his chemistry exam on his way to history class? No, I don't. But I'm fine with the ban which eliminates all the getting everyone to put their phone away so they can start class nonsense. I prefer the idea of all the kids being "present" rather than somewhere else on their phone during the downtimes between classes - chatting with classmate about the test they just took; saying hi to teachers in the hallway; thinking about - and mentally preparing for - their next class and being ready to start as soon as they're in their seat and the bell rings; reading the posters and all the signs advertising fundraisers or cheering on a team or whatever.

Mommy can wait to hear what Johnny got on his test. And if after-school practice is cancelled, the coach should be sending a message out to the team contact list anyway, Johnny can catch the bus/another ride/or walk home, or wait a while for someone to be able to come pick him up. (I will grant that that last option has become increasingly challenging at Wakefield the past few years since they do everything in their power to preclude kids from being on site without actually being actively participating in an organized activity at the moment. Heaven forbid a student just sit in town hall doing homework until their ride shows up or their practice begins. But that's another topic.)

You can yell at the clouds all you want, but an occasional text between classes is fine. Really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a teacher who has posted about how I am really, really strict with this policy. It is a good policy and it benefits the kids in many ways. However, I have had a few one-off instances this year where a kid who is otherwise always on task, always present, never an issue about putting their phone away has called me over and said “Can I use my phone to text my mom, I started my period” or another quick but necessary message , and I have allowed it. Typically I ask them to just step out in the hall to send their message and then they come back in and replace the phone and we continue our class.

There are reasonable exceptions like this which is why I personally don’t like the idea of the locking pouches all day and I do think Youngkin is going to tip the balance from compliance when it truly matters (ie- in class) to a lack of broader support by prohibiting the phones during reasonable times like between class or at lunch. That being said, I can see why they think they might think that route is best since it in theory takes away the ability for the lazy teachers who just want the kids to think they’re cool to say “I don’t care if you keep them,” which some of them do. Inconsistent application of the policy is problematic.

Your approach should be norm. Unfortunately, it's not. That's the problem. If schools had enforced no phones during class (including no class assignments using apps on phones), and enforced the rules and consequences, we would not be where we are today arguing about pouches and texts in the hallways.

I am also hoping that such a complete ban ultimately acts as a reset, breaking everyone's (especially the parents') phone habits and expectations. If people can adjust their mindset and go back to a more discipline and less self-centered place/attitude, maybe we won't need pouches or any other storage system other than kids' backpacks in the future. Sometimes it takes a draconian restriction to make that happen. Incremental steps often result in students (and teachers) not taking it seriously, testing or pushing the boundaries. It's easier to let-up on a rule when everyone realizes you're serious about it than it is to keep gradually restricting and expecting everyone to comply.

No, that's overly rigid and unnecessary.

Let the teachers decide. Have some nuance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a teacher who has posted about how I am really, really strict with this policy. It is a good policy and it benefits the kids in many ways. However, I have had a few one-off instances this year where a kid who is otherwise always on task, always present, never an issue about putting their phone away has called me over and said “Can I use my phone to text my mom, I started my period” or another quick but necessary message , and I have allowed it. Typically I ask them to just step out in the hall to send their message and then they come back in and replace the phone and we continue our class.

There are reasonable exceptions like this which is why I personally don’t like the idea of the locking pouches all day and I do think Youngkin is going to tip the balance from compliance when it truly matters (ie- in class) to a lack of broader support by prohibiting the phones during reasonable times like between class or at lunch. That being said, I can see why they think they might think that route is best since it in theory takes away the ability for the lazy teachers who just want the kids to think they’re cool to say “I don’t care if you keep them,” which some of them do. Inconsistent application of the policy is problematic.

I mean, getting your period unexpectedly sucks and being a teen in high school compounds that feeling, but I mean this has been going on for decades? It’s not like a new thing. How is your solution any different than excusing the student to go to the nurses office where she can make the exact same call (and actually get some tampons/pads instead of having to wait for mommy)? If she needs new clothes or to go home, the that too should be a done in the nurses office.

It just feels like every excuse to text mom is just that, and excuse. It’s too difficult to enforce who is doing what on their phones. I support a full ban and find of these “reasons” to use a phone to be lame and unhelpful. Kids need to deal with these issues like periods and scheduling. They will survive and be better for it.

I tend to agree. Still, I think the highlight of the post to be emphasized is the part about the exception being granted to the responsible student who is always there, doesn't break the rules, etc. Still, a slippery slope to be avoided - which it sounds like this particular teacher is quite capable of. Other teachers would be taken advantage of by even the "good" students.

sLiPpeRy SloPe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At Yorktown they are allowed to use them in a quiet spot in the library. DD tells me she doesn’t have time during the day to go to said spot. So if she needs to get us a message I guess she does it while going to the bathroom.

But schedule changes happen all the time in high school. Something was cancelled today so I didn’t have to pick her up from school. She rode the bus. Nice to get that message so I didn’t have to rush to leave the office at 4 to pick her up.

She can email you. She has access to email from her laptop. If she doesn't have a non-APS email account, perhaps you should look into one.

Unfortunately email isn't the best way to reach people when you need to see a message quickly. If my HS students emails me, I may not see it for hours. And even if I do and email them back, there is NO way they will see it. How could they? They would have to keep going into their gmail - during class time - to see if I responded yet, and sift through the hundreds of spam emails they get from colleges.

Urgent notifications are what texts are for.

Why is it urgent? Lets say they told you that practice was canceled and needed a ride home. He will be out side waiting. What else is he going to do? AND he will have a phone. You got the message, so you will be there. Or someone else because you arranged a ride -- you can text him and he will see it end of day and find ride.

How old are you that you are so impatient with messages for no good reason?

Maybe you sit around all day with nothing to do but some of us need some advance notice if a pickup time changes.

If pickup time has been made earlier, your kid will wait or find another way home.
If it's a group activity that's been cancelled or lets out early, your kid can wait or have a system in place for them to contact someone else who can get to them faster or to catch a ride with a fellow student in the group.
If pickup time is later, seems like you would have time to arrange for that.

Or....let the kids make an occasional text between classes. All of these gymnastics to force something with no value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a real-life HS student (not a 3rd grader) at a school where phones are officially banned. Kids still use them sparingly and the teachers generally overlook it.

I got a quick text this morning (between classes) saying that an after-school activity is cancelled, which is helpful for me to receive now so I can rearrange my schedule to pick the kid up several hours earlier.

If kid told me this at 2:30 it'd be a huge PITA.

Are the nasty PPs really so unimaginative that they can't think of [i]any[/] scenarios when phones would be helpful? GMAFB.

Okay, I actually would be okay with kids having flip phones.

We can get Tello with 500 text a month for $5, a flip phone is like what $50? Maybe it would eh cheaper just to issue every student a school flip phone rather than pouch?

But that would probably be fine.

1 minute text on smart phone vs 1 minute text on flip phone. No difference.

I have a bridge to sell you if you all think that kids will limit their phone usage to “1-minute texts to parents.”

If they are shuffling between classes in a massive building there really isn’t that much time. You clearly don’t have HS kids in APS.

Anyway, some whiny poster was asking for “just one reason” why kids might need their phones between classes. I gave one.

I support teachers who want to ban phones in their classroom, but I’m glad that my kid’s teachers aren’t so rigid; they are ok with kids sending a text every now and then between classes.

Actually, I'm that person and I asked why it was so critical - not why they might use it.
To explain what I mean by critical: so essential that the need cannot be met by another means.

No one has found another mode that replaces it

No, nobody has found a mode that equals its efficiency or sufficiently replaces it to your satisfaction. It seems very fortunate for you that you have not had to be a parent (or apparently a kid, either) in the time before cell phones since you seem incapable of anything less quick or convenient. These may be difficult times for you until your kid(s) are no longer in a school with a phone ban. I hope you can take comfort knowing it won't be forever and that there are indeed ways to survive it.

Here is the nasty poster.

Maybe you haven't heard but the policy is NOT a complete ban. Kids are allowed to have limited access, which is reasonable and fair. Suck it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At Yorktown they are allowed to use them in a quiet spot in the library. DD tells me she doesn’t have time during the day to go to said spot. So if she needs to get us a message I guess she does it while going to the bathroom.

But schedule changes happen all the time in high school. Something was cancelled today so I didn’t have to pick her up from school. She rode the bus. Nice to get that message so I didn’t have to rush to leave the office at 4 to pick her up.

this is what the parents of younger kids just do not get. There are a lot of schedule shifts with high school activities that just don't happen with littles.

Dude. Let go of the idea that the “only” people favoring the ban are parents with little kids. I am in favor, and I have a HS student.

It’s like you all have no idea of how to do a cost benefit analysis and the “cost” to YOU of last minute scheduling changes completely outweighs the entire body of scientific evidence along with your children’s teachers of cell phones harm. To keep harping on this issue of last minute schedule changes as if it’s the end of the universe for our over scheduled HS students is not convincing anyone. We all think your child will probably benefit from having to figure out last minute schedules changes on their own and NO ONE CARES HOW HARD IT IS FOR YOU TOBE SOMEHWHAT INCONVENIENCED by not being tethered to your kid.

Where are these studies that show that sending an occasional text between classes is harmful?

You are being overly rigid on this and seem incapable of understanding nuance. Maybe reflect on that.

DP. I don't care whether using phones between classes is "harmful" or not. It's not about "harm" for me. Others cite how students communicate via phone during the school day to arrange nefarious behaviors. All of that is distraction from the learning environment and the purpose of everyone being there. It affects more than the individuals engaging in the nonsense.

Do I really care if Johnny wants to send Mommy a text telling her the grade on his chemistry exam on his way to history class? No, I don't. But I'm fine with the ban which eliminates all the getting everyone to put their phone away so they can start class nonsense. I prefer the idea of all the kids being "present" rather than somewhere else on their phone during the downtimes between classes - chatting with classmate about the test they just took; saying hi to teachers in the hallway; thinking about - and mentally preparing for - their next class and being ready to start as soon as they're in their seat and the bell rings; reading the posters and all the signs advertising fundraisers or cheering on a team or whatever.

Mommy can wait to hear what Johnny got on his test. And if after-school practice is cancelled, the coach should be sending a message out to the team contact list anyway, Johnny can catch the bus/another ride/or walk home, or wait a while for someone to be able to come pick him up. (I will grant that that last option has become increasingly challenging at Wakefield the past few years since they do everything in their power to preclude kids from being on site without actually being actively participating in an organized activity at the moment. Heaven forbid a student just sit in town hall doing homework until their ride shows up or their practice begins. But that's another topic.)

You can yell at the clouds all you want, but an occasional text between classes is fine. Really.

You are being deliberately obtuse.

Before smart phones it was just occasional texts between classes. Long conversations on T9 keyboards were a hassle.

But now it’s TikTok videos and Insta scrolling watching movies, taking photos as bullying, etc on and on.

That’s what having the phone out during the day means; it’s not just a couple texts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a teacher who has posted about how I am really, really strict with this policy. It is a good policy and it benefits the kids in many ways. However, I have had a few one-off instances this year where a kid who is otherwise always on task, always present, never an issue about putting their phone away has called me over and said “Can I use my phone to text my mom, I started my period” or another quick but necessary message , and I have allowed it. Typically I ask them to just step out in the hall to send their message and then they come back in and replace the phone and we continue our class.

There are reasonable exceptions like this which is why I personally don’t like the idea of the locking pouches all day and I do think Youngkin is going to tip the balance from compliance when it truly matters (ie- in class) to a lack of broader support by prohibiting the phones during reasonable times like between class or at lunch. That being said, I can see why they think they might think that route is best since it in theory takes away the ability for the lazy teachers who just want the kids to think they’re cool to say “I don’t care if you keep them,” which some of them do. Inconsistent application of the policy is problematic.

Your approach should be norm. Unfortunately, it's not. That's the problem. If schools had enforced no phones during class (including no class assignments using apps on phones), and enforced the rules and consequences, we would not be where we are today arguing about pouches and texts in the hallways.

I am also hoping that such a complete ban ultimately acts as a reset, breaking everyone's (especially the parents') phone habits and expectations. If people can adjust their mindset and go back to a more discipline and less self-centered place/attitude, maybe we won't need pouches or any other storage system other than kids' backpacks in the future. Sometimes it takes a draconian restriction to make that happen. Incremental steps often result in students (and teachers) not taking it seriously, testing or pushing the boundaries. It's easier to let-up on a rule when everyone realizes you're serious about it than it is to keep gradually restricting and expecting everyone to comply.

No, that's overly rigid and unnecessary.

Let the teachers decide. Have some nuance.

That’s the point, the teachers waste class time negotiating and patrolling phone use, rather than on instruction. Just lock phones away and skip those wasted 15 mins of every class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a real-life HS student (not a 3rd grader) at a school where phones are officially banned. Kids still use them sparingly and the teachers generally overlook it.

I got a quick text this morning (between classes) saying that an after-school activity is cancelled, which is helpful for me to receive now so I can rearrange my schedule to pick the kid up several hours earlier.

If kid told me this at 2:30 it'd be a huge PITA.

Are the nasty PPs really so unimaginative that they can't think of [i]any[/] scenarios when phones would be helpful? GMAFB.

Okay, I actually would be okay with kids having flip phones.

We can get Tello with 500 text a month for $5, a flip phone is like what $50? Maybe it would eh cheaper just to issue every student a school flip phone rather than pouch?

But that would probably be fine.

1 minute text on smart phone vs 1 minute text on flip phone. No difference.

I have a bridge to sell you if you all think that kids will limit their phone usage to “1-minute texts to parents.”

If they are shuffling between classes in a massive building there really isn’t that much time. You clearly don’t have HS kids in APS.

Anyway, some whiny poster was asking for “just one reason” why kids might need their phones between classes. I gave one.

I support teachers who want to ban phones in their classroom, but I’m glad that my kid’s teachers aren’t so rigid; they are ok with kids sending a text every now and then between classes.

Actually, I'm that person and I asked why it was so critical - not why they might use it.
To explain what I mean by critical: so essential that the need cannot be met by another means.

No one has found another mode that replaces it

No, nobody has found a mode that equals its efficiency or sufficiently replaces it to your satisfaction. It seems very fortunate for you that you have not had to be a parent (or apparently a kid, either) in the time before cell phones since you seem incapable of anything less quick or convenient. These may be difficult times for you until your kid(s) are no longer in a school with a phone ban. I hope you can take comfort knowing it won't be forever and that there are indeed ways to survive it.

I hope you take satisfaction in making my and many other kids and families lives a lot more difficult. For what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At Yorktown they are allowed to use them in a quiet spot in the library. DD tells me she doesn’t have time during the day to go to said spot. So if she needs to get us a message I guess she does it while going to the bathroom.

But schedule changes happen all the time in high school. Something was cancelled today so I didn’t have to pick her up from school. She rode the bus. Nice to get that message so I didn’t have to rush to leave the office at 4 to pick her up.

this is what the parents of younger kids just do not get. There are a lot of schedule shifts with high school activities that just don't happen with littles.

Dude. Let go of the idea that the “only” people favoring the ban are parents with little kids. I am in favor, and I have a HS student.

It’s like you all have no idea of how to do a cost benefit analysis and the “cost” to YOU of last minute scheduling changes completely outweighs the entire body of scientific evidence along with your children’s teachers of cell phones harm. To keep harping on this issue of last minute schedule changes as if it’s the end of the universe for our over scheduled HS students is not convincing anyone. We all think your child will probably benefit from having to figure out last minute schedules changes on their own and NO ONE CARES HOW HARD IT IS FOR YOU TOBE SOMEHWHAT INCONVENIENCED by not being tethered to your kid.

Where are these studies that show that sending an occasional text between classes is harmful?

You are being overly rigid on this and seem incapable of understanding nuance. Maybe reflect on that.

DP. I don't care whether using phones between classes is "harmful" or not. It's not about "harm" for me. Others cite how students communicate via phone during the school day to arrange nefarious behaviors. All of that is distraction from the learning environment and the purpose of everyone being there. It affects more than the individuals engaging in the nonsense.

Do I really care if Johnny wants to send Mommy a text telling her the grade on his chemistry exam on his way to history class? No, I don't. But I'm fine with the ban which eliminates all the getting everyone to put their phone away so they can start class nonsense. I prefer the idea of all the kids being "present" rather than somewhere else on their phone during the downtimes between classes - chatting with classmate about the test they just took; saying hi to teachers in the hallway; thinking about - and mentally preparing for - their next class and being ready to start as soon as they're in their seat and the bell rings; reading the posters and all the signs advertising fundraisers or cheering on a team or whatever.

Mommy can wait to hear what Johnny got on his test. And if after-school practice is cancelled, the coach should be sending a message out to the team contact list anyway, Johnny can catch the bus/another ride/or walk home, or wait a while for someone to be able to come pick him up. (I will grant that that last option has become increasingly challenging at Wakefield the past few years since they do everything in their power to preclude kids from being on site without actually being actively participating in an organized activity at the moment. Heaven forbid a student just sit in town hall doing homework until their ride shows up or their practice begins. But that's another topic.)

You can yell at the clouds all you want, but an occasional text between classes is fine. Really.

That's what I said: "Do I really care if Johnny wants to send Mommy a text telling her the grade on his chemistry exam on his way to history class? No, I don't." iow, it's fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a real-life HS student (not a 3rd grader) at a school where phones are officially banned. Kids still use them sparingly and the teachers generally overlook it.

I got a quick text this morning (between classes) saying that an after-school activity is cancelled, which is helpful for me to receive now so I can rearrange my schedule to pick the kid up several hours earlier.

If kid told me this at 2:30 it'd be a huge PITA.

Are the nasty PPs really so unimaginative that they can't think of [i]any[/] scenarios when phones would be helpful? GMAFB.

Okay, I actually would be okay with kids having flip phones.

We can get Tello with 500 text a month for $5, a flip phone is like what $50? Maybe it would eh cheaper just to issue every student a school flip phone rather than pouch?

But that would probably be fine.

1 minute text on smart phone vs 1 minute text on flip phone. No difference.

I have a bridge to sell you if you all think that kids will limit their phone usage to “1-minute texts to parents.”

If they are shuffling between classes in a massive building there really isn’t that much time. You clearly don’t have HS kids in APS.

Anyway, some whiny poster was asking for “just one reason” why kids might need their phones between classes. I gave one.

I support teachers who want to ban phones in their classroom, but I’m glad that my kid’s teachers aren’t so rigid; they are ok with kids sending a text every now and then between classes.

Actually, I'm that person and I asked why it was so critical - not why they might use it.
To explain what I mean by critical: so essential that the need cannot be met by another means.

No one has found another mode that replaces it

No, nobody has found a mode that equals its efficiency or sufficiently replaces it to your satisfaction. It seems very fortunate for you that you have not had to be a parent (or apparently a kid, either) in the time before cell phones since you seem incapable of anything less quick or convenient. These may be difficult times for you until your kid(s) are no longer in a school with a phone ban. I hope you can take comfort knowing it won't be forever and that there are indeed ways to survive it.

Here is the nasty poster.

Maybe you haven't heard but the policy is NOT a complete ban. Kids are allowed to have limited access, which is reasonable and fair. Suck it.

I know the policy - bell to bell with accommodation made for limited lunchtime access and exceptions for IEP accommodations. Apparently YHS has implemented a variation that allows access in a designated place in the library (as indicated by a previous comment in the thread). Since it is not a complete ban and is reasonable and fair, there shouldn't be any issues or complaints about it. Yet, here we are with so many of you complaining about usage being banned between classes.
I don't need to suck it. I am fine with the policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a real-life HS student (not a 3rd grader) at a school where phones are officially banned. Kids still use them sparingly and the teachers generally overlook it.

I got a quick text this morning (between classes) saying that an after-school activity is cancelled, which is helpful for me to receive now so I can rearrange my schedule to pick the kid up several hours earlier.

If kid told me this at 2:30 it'd be a huge PITA.

Are the nasty PPs really so unimaginative that they can't think of [i]any[/] scenarios when phones would be helpful? GMAFB.

Okay, I actually would be okay with kids having flip phones.

We can get Tello with 500 text a month for $5, a flip phone is like what $50? Maybe it would eh cheaper just to issue every student a school flip phone rather than pouch?

But that would probably be fine.

1 minute text on smart phone vs 1 minute text on flip phone. No difference.

I have a bridge to sell you if you all think that kids will limit their phone usage to “1-minute texts to parents.”

If they are shuffling between classes in a massive building there really isn’t that much time. You clearly don’t have HS kids in APS.

Anyway, some whiny poster was asking for “just one reason” why kids might need their phones between classes. I gave one.

I support teachers who want to ban phones in their classroom, but I’m glad that my kid’s teachers aren’t so rigid; they are ok with kids sending a text every now and then between classes.

Actually, I'm that person and I asked why it was so critical - not why they might use it.
To explain what I mean by critical: so essential that the need cannot be met by another means.

No one has found another mode that replaces it

No, nobody has found a mode that equals its efficiency or sufficiently replaces it to your satisfaction. It seems very fortunate for you that you have not had to be a parent (or apparently a kid, either) in the time before cell phones since you seem incapable of anything less quick or convenient. These may be difficult times for you until your kid(s) are no longer in a school with a phone ban. I hope you can take comfort knowing it won't be forever and that there are indeed ways to survive it.

I hope you take satisfaction in making my and many other kids and families lives a lot more difficult. For what?

For the overall betterment of everyone else. I'm sorry you're not more creative or resourceful and able to handle it better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At Yorktown they are allowed to use them in a quiet spot in the library. DD tells me she doesn’t have time during the day to go to said spot. So if she needs to get us a message I guess she does it while going to the bathroom.

But schedule changes happen all the time in high school. Something was cancelled today so I didn’t have to pick her up from school. She rode the bus. Nice to get that message so I didn’t have to rush to leave the office at 4 to pick her up.

She can email you. She has access to email from her laptop. If she doesn't have a non-APS email account, perhaps you should look into one.

Unfortunately email isn't the best way to reach people when you need to see a message quickly. If my HS students emails me, I may not see it for hours. And even if I do and email them back, there is NO way they will see it. How could they? They would have to keep going into their gmail - during class time - to see if I responded yet, and sift through the hundreds of spam emails they get from colleges.

Urgent notifications are what texts are for.

Why is it urgent? Lets say they told you that practice was canceled and needed a ride home. He will be out side waiting. What else is he going to do? AND he will have a phone. You got the message, so you will be there. Or someone else because you arranged a ride -- you can text him and he will see it end of day and find ride.

How old are you that you are so impatient with messages for no good reason?

Maybe you sit around all day with nothing to do but some of us need some advance notice if a pickup time changes.

If pickup time has been made earlier, your kid will wait or find another way home.
If it's a group activity that's been cancelled or lets out early, your kid can wait or have a system in place for them to contact someone else who can get to them faster or to catch a ride with a fellow student in the group.
If pickup time is later, seems like you would have time to arrange for that.

How can you be so sure my kid will find another way home? How will they do that exactly? ARe you volunteering? And maybe it's not a problem for YOU if my kid waits for hours to be picked up, but it's a problem for my kid and for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a real-life HS student (not a 3rd grader) at a school where phones are officially banned. Kids still use them sparingly and the teachers generally overlook it.

I got a quick text this morning (between classes) saying that an after-school activity is cancelled, which is helpful for me to receive now so I can rearrange my schedule to pick the kid up several hours earlier.

If kid told me this at 2:30 it'd be a huge PITA.

Are the nasty PPs really so unimaginative that they can't think of [i]any[/] scenarios when phones would be helpful? GMAFB.

Okay, I actually would be okay with kids having flip phones.

We can get Tello with 500 text a month for $5, a flip phone is like what $50? Maybe it would eh cheaper just to issue every student a school flip phone rather than pouch?

But that would probably be fine.

1 minute text on smart phone vs 1 minute text on flip phone. No difference.

I have a bridge to sell you if you all think that kids will limit their phone usage to “1-minute texts to parents.”

If they are shuffling between classes in a massive building there really isn’t that much time. You clearly don’t have HS kids in APS.

Anyway, some whiny poster was asking for “just one reason” why kids might need their phones between classes. I gave one.

I support teachers who want to ban phones in their classroom, but I’m glad that my kid’s teachers aren’t so rigid; they are ok with kids sending a text every now and then between classes.

Actually, I'm that person and I asked why it was so critical - not why they might use it.
To explain what I mean by critical: so essential that the need cannot be met by another means.

No one has found another mode that replaces it

No, nobody has found a mode that equals its efficiency or sufficiently replaces it to your satisfaction. It seems very fortunate for you that you have not had to be a parent (or apparently a kid, either) in the time before cell phones since you seem incapable of anything less quick or convenient. These may be difficult times for you until your kid(s) are no longer in a school with a phone ban. I hope you can take comfort knowing it won't be forever and that there are indeed ways to survive it.

I hope you take satisfaction in making my and many other kids and families lives a lot more difficult. For what?

For the overall betterment of everyone else. I'm sorry you're not more creative or resourceful and able to handle it better.

That is the problem, it's not for the overall betterment of everyone. That's your opinion, that's not reality. Reality is that it is making things a lot worse, and not better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a real-life HS student (not a 3rd grader) at a school where phones are officially banned. Kids still use them sparingly and the teachers generally overlook it.

I got a quick text this morning (between classes) saying that an after-school activity is cancelled, which is helpful for me to receive now so I can rearrange my schedule to pick the kid up several hours earlier.

If kid told me this at 2:30 it'd be a huge PITA.

Are the nasty PPs really so unimaginative that they can't think of [i]any[/] scenarios when phones would be helpful? GMAFB.

Okay, I actually would be okay with kids having flip phones.

We can get Tello with 500 text a month for $5, a flip phone is like what $50? Maybe it would eh cheaper just to issue every student a school flip phone rather than pouch?

But that would probably be fine.

1 minute text on smart phone vs 1 minute text on flip phone. No difference.

I have a bridge to sell you if you all think that kids will limit their phone usage to “1-minute texts to parents.”

If they are shuffling between classes in a massive building there really isn’t that much time. You clearly don’t have HS kids in APS.

Anyway, some whiny poster was asking for “just one reason” why kids might need their phones between classes. I gave one.

I support teachers who want to ban phones in their classroom, but I’m glad that my kid’s teachers aren’t so rigid; they are ok with kids sending a text every now and then between classes.

Actually, I'm that person and I asked why it was so critical - not why they might use it.
To explain what I mean by critical: so essential that the need cannot be met by another means.

No one has found another mode that replaces it

No, nobody has found a mode that equals its efficiency or sufficiently replaces it to your satisfaction. It seems very fortunate for you that you have not had to be a parent (or apparently a kid, either) in the time before cell phones since you seem incapable of anything less quick or convenient. These may be difficult times for you until your kid(s) are no longer in a school with a phone ban. I hope you can take comfort knowing it won't be forever and that there are indeed ways to survive it.

I hope you take satisfaction in making my and many other kids and families lives a lot more difficult. For what?

For the overall betterment of everyone else. I'm sorry you're not more creative or resourceful and able to handle it better.

I'm sorry you're so irrationally triggered by cell phones.