Cell Phones

[Anonymous]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/05/nyregion/queens-shops-get-financial-lift-by-storing-cellphones-for-students.html?hp&_r=0


It surprised me to learn that the New York City public school system prohibits students from bringing cell phones to school. Why is it necessary for Montgomery County students to have phones in school? I see evidence of tweets, Instagrams, Facebook posts, and texting going on all day long from school. I know a teacher who said that it is a losing battle to fight it. To take away a phone being used in class causes more trouble than it's worth. She said that cheating is rampant, kids text between classes, and exams and tests are routinely photographed and shared.


We did just fine before the invention of the cell phone. I don't recall any student dying at school because she didn't have a cell phone.

[Anonymous]

No kids don't die, of course. But there are real needs for phones, particularly in high school. Kids who shuffle between divorced parents' homes, or who have after school activities. No pay phones anymore.

Doesn't mean they should be tolerated in class.

Woukd love to know why it's more trouble than it's worth to take phones away if used inappropriately.

[Anonymous]

Taking a student's phone away means a break in instruction --even if the student is compliant and immediately gives the phone up.

If the student isn't compliant, then the teacher risks engaging in a power struggle. He or she can call security, but phones don't take precedent over other discipline issues so there may be a long wait during which the student is likely garnering sympathy from his or her peers.

Teachers are accused of losing or using phones. In most cases, teachers are supposed to take the battery out and give the battery to the student while keeping the phone. Some students have claimed that the teacher kept the battery, too and lost them.

After taking a phone, the teacher is supposed to deliver it to the office before the next class. Most schools have 5-10 minutes between classes. That might be a teacher's only opportunity to use the bathroom or speak privately with a student who needs to come in for help.

[Anonymous]

If phones become a problem, then why can't teachers just have a phone drop when you walk into class? Drop it in; take it on your way out.

No fuss, no extra time. Done.

[Anonymous]

I plan on getting my child a cell phone in 6th grade. For me, it is about logistics and safety. We'll need to be shuttling between activities, carpools, multiple school pick ups, etc. and a phone to call directly will be essential.

The phone is about making our schedule work. That said, my kids will both know that the phone not to be used during the school day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I plan on getting my child a cell phone in 6th grade. For me, it is about logistics and safety. We'll need to be shuttling between activities, carpools, multiple school pick ups, etc. and a phone to call directly will be essential.

The phone is about making our schedule work. That said, my kids will both know that the phone not to be used during the school day.

Until they get to school and see everyone else using theirs. There is not a kid alive who takes his phone to school and doesn't use it during the school day for nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If phones become a problem, then why can't teachers just have a phone drop when you walk into class? Drop it in; take it on your way out.

No fuss, no extra time. Done.

Kids steal. My DS had his jacket stolen from his chair while he was talking to the teacher. He noticed right away and they found it on another kid. Phones would be sure to go missing.

[Anonymous]

To posts 1659 and 1701, since I don't know how to quote multiple posts in the same reply -- so families make a rule that the phone stays either in a locked locker or on the kid's person at all times; and a parent checks the phone records to make sure it's not being used during school hours except for urgent contact with parents or caregivers. Problems solved. Or at least that's what we're doing here, and it seems to have worked fine so far.

I understand not allowing phone use during school hours but if my kids' school thinks it can prevent me choosing to require my kids to take a phone with them to school so they have it for the commutes and logistics of before/after school, then we will have a huge problem because that just is not acceptable to me at all.

[Anonymous]

It should have to stayin the locker until after school ends. If teacher sees it, it's confiscated for the day. These phones are awful for kids anyway. I wish they'd ban them. If parents can't arrange pickups or something unexpected happens, call the school. Or just freaking show up when you said you would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It should have to stayin the locker until after school ends. If teacher sees it, it's confiscated for the day. These phones are awful for kids anyway. I wish they'd ban them. If parents can't arrange pickups or something unexpected happens, call the school. Or just freaking show up when you said you would.

What if there is a problem at school? I had sports practices cancelled, or ended early, on occasion when I was in high school. Used the pay phone to call my mom.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that anyone is suggesting that cell phones be banned from the school building. The issue is whether students should use them during the school day. The rule (depending on the school and level of the school) is that phones cannot be used during class time. Other schools allow them to be used at lunch or between change of classes.

Despite all of the rules kids routinely use them all day long. If you don't believe me check your kid's phone records to see what time he texted, took photos, tweeted, or took photos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It should have to stayin the locker until after school ends. If teacher sees it, it's confiscated for the day. These phones are awful for kids anyway. I wish they'd ban them. If parents can't arrange pickups or something unexpected happens, call the school. Or just freaking show up when you said you would.

What if there is a problem at school? I had sports practices cancelled, or ended early, on occasion when I was in high school. Used the pay phone to call my mom.

Then you use the office phone and you saved yourself a quarter. Seriously, you all make your kids so dependent on them and then ask them not to use them during school? I work in a middle school and they are used all day long. Teachers have given up. It is really sad how kids at lunch don't even look at each other and talk anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that anyone is suggesting that cell phones be banned from the school building. The issue is whether students should use them during the school day. The rule (depending on the school and level of the school) is that phones cannot be used during class time. Other schools allow them to be used at lunch or between change of classes.

Despite all of the rules kids routinely use them all day long. If you don't believe me check your kid's phone records to see what time he texted, took photos, tweeted, or took photos.

Yes, some schools are, apparently. From the linked article: “New York City prohibits students from carrying cell phones in public schools. … As a result … shops near some schools allow students to store their phones [at the shops] for a fee” (quote edited by me for length not content, all salient points of the first paragraph are still there).

This would be a huge problem for me since our family rules are that my kids are required to have their phones either on their person or in a locked locker at the same location they are currently at. Having a cell phone with us is a safety precaution everyone in our family, adults and kids alike, follows wherever possible. Having it on their person is preferable. Except in a major emergency the kids know they are to abide by the cell phone use rules of wherever they are, such as school, driving, or in a movie theater. We monitor that and so far they’re doing fine with following the rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It should have to stayin the locker until after school ends. If teacher sees it, it's confiscated for the day. These phones are awful for kids anyway. I wish they'd ban them. If parents can't arrange pickups or something unexpected happens, call the school. Or just freaking show up when you said you would.

What if there is a problem at school? I had sports practices cancelled, or ended early, on occasion when I was in high school. Used the pay phone to call my mom.

Then you use the office phone and you saved yourself a quarter. Seriously, you all make your kids so dependent on them and then ask them not to use them during school? I work in a middle school and they are used all day long. Teachers have given up. It is really sad how kids at lunch don't even look at each other and talk anymore.

Or you did your homework and waited for mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that anyone is suggesting that cell phones be banned from the school building. The issue is whether students should use them during the school day. The rule (depending on the school and level of the school) is that phones cannot be used during class time. Other schools allow them to be used at lunch or between change of classes.

Despite all of the rules kids routinely use them all day long. If you don't believe me check your kid's phone records to see what time he texted, took photos, tweeted, or took photos.

Yes, some schools are, apparently. From the linked article: “New York City prohibits students from carrying cell phones in public schools. … As a result … shops near some schools allow students to store their phones [at the shops] for a fee” (quote edited by me for length not content, all salient points of the first paragraph are still there).

This would be a huge problem for me since our family rules are that my kids are required to have their phones either on their person or in a locked locker at the same location they are currently at. Having a cell phone with us is a safety precaution everyone in our family, adults and kids alike, follows wherever possible. Having it on their person is preferable. Except in a major emergency the kids know they are to abide by the cell phone use rules of wherever they are, such as school, driving, or in a movie theater. We monitor that and so far they’re doing fine with following the rules.

Personal family rules should not trump school policy simply because that would inconvenience your family's rules.