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:

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.

People can be plenty creative and resourceful when there is something worth doing. 100% ban is not worth doing. It just adds unnecessary complications for families with no added value. A stupid waste of time.

A quick text between classes is really no big deal. The way the policy is written, kids will just get a warning if they get caught sending a quick text to mom or dad. That works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Not lunchtime - that is still TBD.

Kids get one freebie before getting in trouble. So the overall result is that kids will use phones a lot less (yay!), but there is some flexibility there/AKA kids can send a quick text between classes (yay!).

That's great you are fine with the policy that allows me and my kid to occasionally text during the day.

So weird. My high school students gets through the day without texting us, and honestly I’m too busy working to really think about it. Is your job part time or something?

Is your sports coach really flaky? They have never cancelled our practices or games last minute, I just can’t even tell why you need to check in. These high school students will be at college in just a couple years, they could go a week without texting you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

People can be plenty creative and resourceful when there is something worth doing. 100% ban is not worth doing. It just adds unnecessary complications for families with no added value. A stupid waste of time.

A quick text between classes is really no big deal. The way the policy is written, kids will just get a warning if they get caught sending a quick text to mom or dad. That works.

Disagree. 100% ban super clear, easy to enforce. No phones. Ever. How are teachers/admins supposed to police your rule of the “quick text is really no big deal.” What does that look like? My way is what we lawyers and policymakers and economists and generally anyone who went to grad school call as bright line rule. You know why we love these? Cause everyone understands them and they are super easy to enforce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+ 1. Wait until nasty poster's kid gets stuck at school for hours, I bet they will have something to say about that!

We live in Arlington. A high schooler can take a county bus from any of the high schools to about any neighborhood within an hour.

A High Schooler can probably walk to most of Arlington (at least most of the area w/in the zoned area w/in an hour). But also, there is a phone in the office (and I think in all classrooms?). And a phone at the pool (if for some reason they can't access any office phones) or a phone at the library for Arlington tech kids. I am started to think that kids of Arlington need to learn some basic survival skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Not lunchtime - that is still TBD.

Kids get one freebie before getting in trouble. So the overall result is that kids will use phones a lot less (yay!), but there is some flexibility there/AKA kids can send a quick text between classes (yay!).

That's great you are fine with the policy that allows me and my kid to occasionally text during the day.

So weird. My high school students gets through the day without texting us, and honestly I’m too busy working to really think about it. Is your job part time or something?

Is your sports coach really flaky? They have never cancelled our practices or games last minute, I just can’t even tell why you need to check in. These high school students will be at college in just a couple years, they could go a week without texting you.

My kid rarely texts me during the day. Phones are officially banned so kids don't really have them out. But when they do need to text, I'm glad their teachers are flexible enough to let them do it.

The example I gave at the top was the first time this school year that this afternoon activity was cancelled - and the cancellation was related to the weather/transportation.

Balance and nuance, people. No need to be so freakin rigid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

People can be plenty creative and resourceful when there is something worth doing. 100% ban is not worth doing. It just adds unnecessary complications for families with no added value. A stupid waste of time.

A quick text between classes is really no big deal. The way the policy is written, kids will just get a warning if they get caught sending a quick text to mom or dad. That works.

Disagree. 100% ban super clear, easy to enforce. No phones. Ever. How are teachers/admins supposed to police your rule of the “quick text is really no big deal.” What does that look like? My way is what we lawyers and policymakers and economists and generally anyone who went to grad school call as bright line rule. You know why we love these? Cause everyone understands them and they are super easy to enforce.

I know many of you struggle with this, but I trust teachers. They can use their best judgment.

The flexible phone ban is good because the expectation is that phone are generally away, but there is also the flexibility if something comes up.

When I was in grad school we did a lot of sensitivity analysis. It was all about dealing with nuance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

People can be plenty creative and resourceful when there is something worth doing. 100% ban is not worth doing. It just adds unnecessary complications for families with no added value. A stupid waste of time.

A quick text between classes is really no big deal. The way the policy is written, kids will just get a warning if they get caught sending a quick text to mom or dad. That works.

Disagree. 100% ban super clear, easy to enforce. No phones. Ever. How are teachers/admins supposed to police your rule of the “quick text is really no big deal.” What does that look like? My way is what we lawyers and policymakers and economists and generally anyone who went to grad school call as bright line rule. You know why we love these? Cause everyone understands them and they are super easy to enforce.

I know many of you struggle with this, but I trust teachers. They can use their best judgment.

The flexible phone ban is good because the expectation is that phone are generally away, but there is also the flexibility if something comes up.

When I was in grad school we did a lot of sensitivity analysis. It was all about dealing with nuance.

Good, we agree. Teachers all want the phones away all day so they don’t have to police them at the start of EVERY class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Not lunchtime - that is still TBD.

Kids get one freebie before getting in trouble. So the overall result is that kids will use phones a lot less (yay!), but there is some flexibility there/AKA kids can send a quick text between classes (yay!).

That's great you are fine with the policy that allows me and my kid to occasionally text during the day.

So weird. My high school students gets through the day without texting us, and honestly I’m too busy working to really think about it. Is your job part time or something?

Is your sports coach really flaky? They have never cancelled our practices or games last minute, I just can’t even tell why you need to check in. These high school students will be at college in just a couple years, they could go a week without texting you.

Exactly!
Unfortunately for these kids, the tether will still be in place receiving texts from home....It'll be too much of a risk of freaking their parents out if they don't continue to respond to each one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+ 1. Wait until nasty poster's kid gets stuck at school for hours, I bet they will have something to say about that!

We live in Arlington. A high schooler can take a county bus from any of the high schools to about any neighborhood within an hour.

A High Schooler can probably walk to most of Arlington (at least most of the area w/in the zoned area w/in an hour). But also, there is a phone in the office (and I think in all classrooms?). And a phone at the pool (if for some reason they can't access any office phones) or a phone at the library for Arlington tech kids. I am started to think that kids of Arlington need to learn some basic survival skills.

Yep.
Kids freak out when they have to make an actual phone call.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

People can be plenty creative and resourceful when there is something worth doing. 100% ban is not worth doing. It just adds unnecessary complications for families with no added value. A stupid waste of time.

A quick text between classes is really no big deal. The way the policy is written, kids will just get a warning if they get caught sending a quick text to mom or dad. That works.

Disagree. 100% ban super clear, easy to enforce. No phones. Ever. How are teachers/admins supposed to police your rule of the “quick text is really no big deal.” What does that look like? My way is what we lawyers and policymakers and economists and generally anyone who went to grad school call as bright line rule. You know why we love these? Cause everyone understands them and they are super easy to enforce.

I know many of you struggle with this, but I trust teachers. They can use their best judgment.

The flexible phone ban is good because the expectation is that phone are generally away, but there is also the flexibility if something comes up.

When I was in grad school we did a lot of sensitivity analysis. It was all about dealing with nuance.

Agree, I rarely text my kid at school and he rarely texts me, but when we do it's urgent and important. The school hasn't given us any substitute. They have told us to figure it out while taking away the way we used. Nuance people!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

People can be plenty creative and resourceful when there is something worth doing. 100% ban is not worth doing. It just adds unnecessary complications for families with no added value. A stupid waste of time.

A quick text between classes is really no big deal. The way the policy is written, kids will just get a warning if they get caught sending a quick text to mom or dad. That works.

Disagree. 100% ban super clear, easy to enforce. No phones. Ever. How are teachers/admins supposed to police your rule of the “quick text is really no big deal.” What does that look like? My way is what we lawyers and policymakers and economists and generally anyone who went to grad school call as bright line rule. You know why we love these? Cause everyone understands them and they are super easy to enforce.

I know many of you struggle with this, but I trust teachers. They can use their best judgment.

The flexible phone ban is good because the expectation is that phone are generally away, but there is also the flexibility if something comes up.

When I was in grad school we did a lot of sensitivity analysis. It was all about dealing with nuance.

Good, we agree. Teachers all want the phones away all day so they don’t have to police them at the start of EVERY class.

As a baseline, sure. But most are understanding when something comes up. They aren't all so rigid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Not lunchtime - that is still TBD.

Kids get one freebie before getting in trouble. So the overall result is that kids will use phones a lot less (yay!), but there is some flexibility there/AKA kids can send a quick text between classes (yay!).

That's great you are fine with the policy that allows me and my kid to occasionally text during the day.

So weird. My high school students gets through the day without texting us, and honestly I’m too busy working to really think about it. Is your job part time or something?

Is your sports coach really flaky? They have never cancelled our practices or games last minute, I just can’t even tell why you need to check in. These high school students will be at college in just a couple years, they could go a week without texting you.

Exactly!
Unfortunately for these kids, the tether will still be in place receiving texts from home....It'll be too much of a risk of freaking their parents out if they don't continue to respond to each one.

Strawman! Strawman!

I haven't seen any parent say that they are constantly texting their kids. We are all too busy for that. AND phones are banned. Parents just want some flexibility when it's needed, that's all. Which is what the new policy allows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Not lunchtime - that is still TBD.

Kids get one freebie before getting in trouble. So the overall result is that kids will use phones a lot less (yay!), but there is some flexibility there/AKA kids can send a quick text between classes (yay!).

That's great you are fine with the policy that allows me and my kid to occasionally text during the day.

So weird. My high school students gets through the day without texting us, and honestly I’m too busy working to really think about it. Is your job part time or something?

Is your sports coach really flaky? They have never cancelled our practices or games last minute, I just can’t even tell why you need to check in. These high school students will be at college in just a couple years, they could go a week without texting you.

Exactly!
Unfortunately for these kids, the tether will still be in place receiving texts from home....It'll be too much of a risk of freaking their parents out if they don't continue to respond to each one.

Strawman! Strawman!

I haven't seen any parent say that they are constantly texting their kids. We are all too busy for that. AND phones are banned. Parents just want some flexibility when it's needed, that's all. Which is what the new policy allows.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Not lunchtime - that is still TBD.

Kids get one freebie before getting in trouble. So the overall result is that kids will use phones a lot less (yay!), but there is some flexibility there/AKA kids can send a quick text between classes (yay!).

That's great you are fine with the policy that allows me and my kid to occasionally text during the day.

So weird. My high school students gets through the day without texting us, and honestly I’m too busy working to really think about it. Is your job part time or something?

Is your sports coach really flaky? They have never cancelled our practices or games last minute, I just can’t even tell why you need to check in. These high school students will be at college in just a couple years, they could go a week without texting you.

Exactly!
Unfortunately for these kids, the tether will still be in place receiving texts from home....It'll be too much of a risk of freaking their parents out if they don't continue to respond to each one.

Strawman! Strawman!

I haven't seen any parent say that they are constantly texting their kids. We are all too busy for that. AND phones are banned. Parents just want some flexibility when it's needed, that's all. Which is what the new policy allows.

Actually the new policy is too rigid. It doesn't allow teachers to use their discretion at all. It also allows just one period a day for kids to use their phone. What if a need comes up after that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Not lunchtime - that is still TBD.

Kids get one freebie before getting in trouble. So the overall result is that kids will use phones a lot less (yay!), but there is some flexibility there/AKA kids can send a quick text between classes (yay!).

That's great you are fine with the policy that allows me and my kid to occasionally text during the day.

So weird. My high school students gets through the day without texting us, and honestly I’m too busy working to really think about it. Is your job part time or something?

Is your sports coach really flaky? They have never cancelled our practices or games last minute, I just can’t even tell why you need to check in. These high school students will be at college in just a couple years, they could go a week without texting you.

Exactly!
Unfortunately for these kids, the tether will still be in place receiving texts from home....It'll be too much of a risk of freaking their parents out if they don't continue to respond to each one.

Strawman! Strawman!

I haven't seen any parent say that they are constantly texting their kids. We are all too busy for that. AND phones are banned. Parents just want some flexibility when it's needed, that's all. Which is what the new policy allows.

Actually the new policy is too rigid. It doesn't allow teachers to use their discretion at all. It also allows just one period a day for kids to use their phone. What if a need comes up after that?

The limited access hasn't been defined yet. And, outside of that limited access, kids get one reminder before getting in trouble. That seems like it would provide enough flexibility for teachers. Guess we will see how it evolves over the remainder of the year.