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

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At Yorktown, they are now confiscating phones if they are seen in the lunch room. My DC is following the rules, but said morale is really low, especially among seniors.


Wasn’t one of the justifications for the all day ban to improve mental health? Seems that backfired. Treating seniors like toddlers -not cool!


Grow up.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At Yorktown, they are now confiscating phones if they are seen in the lunch room. My DC is following the rules, but said morale is really low, especially among seniors.


Which speaks to how addicted your kids are to phones. They can’t enjoy a free period hanging with their friends with food??


Proof the cell phone police don’t care if kids are hurt by their ban


Thanks for letting us know you don’t know what words mean.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At Yorktown, they are now confiscating phones if they are seen in the lunch room. My DC is following the rules, but said morale is really low, especially among seniors.


Well yeah of course if you are practically addicted to something and then you have to go cold turkey of course you are going to be sad and depressed. Duh. I am sure they will get over it.


Why don't YOU try getting rid of your phone all day and report back on how long you hold out?


I go "all day" without it - unless someone I know calls me on my cell phone - most days. I'll have it on me most of the time when I'm out of the house in case it's needed/receive emergency message from school or family; but I don't carry it around the house with me all night or all day on the weekends.
My spouse goes "all day" without it because it's BANNED in his work space. He doesn't even bother to take it in and lock it up anymore. So, he manages regularly from the time he gets up at 5 am (uses it as alarm to wake) until after he gets home 4 - 5 pm.
So, I'd say we "hold out" pretty well. Of course there are times it would be helpful if the other had their phone on them, but we survive. Your child will survive 6-1/2 hours on school days with a check-in opportunity mid-way.


so you're not going without it all day at all if you answer calls and have it on you. Try doing what you're doing to the kids. Put it in a pouch and lock it away. I'm sure you can figure out another way to contact people and function!!!


All the excessive question marks and exclamation points are hilarious. You’re absolutely hysterical. You must be a teenager.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At Yorktown, they are now confiscating phones if they are seen in the lunch room. My DC is following the rules, but said morale is really low, especially among seniors.


Well yeah of course if you are practically addicted to something and then you have to go cold turkey of course you are going to be sad and depressed. Duh. I am sure they will get over it.


This is missing the point. They can use their phones if they leave campus. The frustration is that they are 17/18 years old and are being treated like 9 year olds.


High school is made up of children ages 14-18 years old. The addiction of phones is worst at that age. I cannot for the life of me understand how you can possibly believe that removing phones from an educational environment that children go to to learn for about 6 hours a day is at all treating them like 9 year olds. 9 year olds don’t need a cell phone ban because they are not addicted to to phones in school like your senior is.


All day is ridiculous overkill, which fortunately the school board recognized.



No the problem is that the board did ban them all day, just like the crazies wanted.


You ARE the crazies.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Communication Devices

School Board adopts all-day ban on student phone use, makes one exception
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/12/13/school-board-adopts-all-day-ban-on-student-phone-use-makes-one-exception/

"Arlington School Board members Thursday night (Dec. 12) voted unanimously (5-0) to implement a bell-to-bell ban on student use of phones in county schools starting Jan. 6. High school students will be allowed to have “brief” access to their phones in designated areas during non-instructional time, most likely around lunchtime."

No mention of penalties for students, and admin/teachers who do not follow the new policy.


Where do you see that this applies to admin/teachers? The quote above specifies “student use”.


It says they have to be off and away. It doesn't say only students have to turn them off and put them away.

Why would it be OK for teachers to play on their phones during the school day?


The policy is titled “Student use of cell phones…”. Everything that follows in the post mentions “student”.

Why are you asking if it would be ok for teachers to “play on their phones”? Who suggested that? There are, however, legitimate reasons a teacher might utilize a phone during the school day.


what are the legitimate reasons a teacher might have to use their phone during the school day?


None of your fcking business.


You're doing it while taxpayers are paying your salary, so yes it is our business when you do it at school. It's not when you use it on your day off.


HAHAHAHA. Please, please, I beg of you, try this tired Karen line on the next cop who pulls you over and video, so we can see the results. I beg you.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Communication Devices

School Board adopts all-day ban on student phone use, makes one exception
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/12/13/school-board-adopts-all-day-ban-on-student-phone-use-makes-one-exception/

"Arlington School Board members Thursday night (Dec. 12) voted unanimously (5-0) to implement a bell-to-bell ban on student use of phones in county schools starting Jan. 6. High school students will be allowed to have “brief” access to their phones in designated areas during non-instructional time, most likely around lunchtime."

No mention of penalties for students, and admin/teachers who do not follow the new policy.


Where do you see that this applies to admin/teachers? The quote above specifies “student use”.


It says they have to be off and away. It doesn't say only students have to turn them off and put them away.

Why would it be OK for teachers to play on their phones during the school day?


The policy is titled “Student use of cell phones…”. Everything that follows in the post mentions “student”.

Why are you asking if it would be ok for teachers to “play on their phones”? Who suggested that? There are, however, legitimate reasons a teacher might utilize a phone during the school day.


what are the legitimate reasons a teacher might have to use their phone during the school day?


I’m an ES teacher. Every week I send an email update to families. Attached to that update I send a Google Slide deck of photos with captions showing what students did in school during the week. I use my camera to take those photos and upload to the slides. I have also used it to check the temperature or the radar (of there is a possibility of rain or it’s lightly raining) before heading outside to recess. It’s my watch when out at recess and it serves as my timer when completing 1:1 reading assessments.


You can do workarounds. You don't need to take pictures, and you can check the weather on your school issued laptop. You can also buy an analog watch. And use a timer.


They don’t need to do any of those things. They will continue to do them on their phones. You will throw a tantrum. Oh well.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Communication Devices

School Board adopts all-day ban on student phone use, makes one exception
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/12/13/school-board-adopts-all-day-ban-on-student-phone-use-makes-one-exception/

"Arlington School Board members Thursday night (Dec. 12) voted unanimously (5-0) to implement a bell-to-bell ban on student use of phones in county schools starting Jan. 6. High school students will be allowed to have “brief” access to their phones in designated areas during non-instructional time, most likely around lunchtime."

No mention of penalties for students, and admin/teachers who do not follow the new policy.


Where do you see that this applies to admin/teachers? The quote above specifies “student use”.


It says they have to be off and away. It doesn't say only students have to turn them off and put them away.

Why would it be OK for teachers to play on their phones during the school day?


The policy is titled “Student use of cell phones…”. Everything that follows in the post mentions “student”.

Why are you asking if it would be ok for teachers to “play on their phones”? Who suggested that? There are, however, legitimate reasons a teacher might utilize a phone during the school day.


what are the legitimate reasons a teacher might have to use their phone during the school day?


None of your fcking business.


Well, you are quite unpleasant. And what do you mean not of my business? The teachers are ON the job supposed to be teaching my children. What they do during this time is exactly my and all of our business.

I'll ask again - why would a teacher HAVE to use their phone during the school day?


No. You don't get to ask that. You are not their boss and you have zero say into their work expectations.

Sit down.


Lots of people here don't seem to have a problem with bossing around other people's kids.


A ban on an addictive and distracting device that was recommended by your child’s teachers? And all scientists? And now most major school jurisdictions across the country? And the elite private schools? And most parents?

And opposed by most students? And some helicopter parents who can’t handle their child’s sports practice change?



Which scientists said that an occasional, brief text during the day was harmful?

None. SFTU.


CALM DOWN, CRAZY.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Communication Devices

School Board adopts all-day ban on student phone use, makes one exception
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/12/13/school-board-adopts-all-day-ban-on-student-phone-use-makes-one-exception/

"Arlington School Board members Thursday night (Dec. 12) voted unanimously (5-0) to implement a bell-to-bell ban on student use of phones in county schools starting Jan. 6. High school students will be allowed to have “brief” access to their phones in designated areas during non-instructional time, most likely around lunchtime."

No mention of penalties for students, and admin/teachers who do not follow the new policy.


Where do you see that this applies to admin/teachers? The quote above specifies “student use”.


It says they have to be off and away. It doesn't say only students have to turn them off and put them away.

Why would it be OK for teachers to play on their phones during the school day?


The policy is titled “Student use of cell phones…”. Everything that follows in the post mentions “student”.

Why are you asking if it would be ok for teachers to “play on their phones”? Who suggested that? There are, however, legitimate reasons a teacher might utilize a phone during the school day.


what are the legitimate reasons a teacher might have to use their phone during the school day?


None of your fcking business.


Well, you are quite unpleasant. And what do you mean not of my business? The teachers are ON the job supposed to be teaching my children. What they do during this time is exactly my and all of our business.

I'll ask again - why would a teacher HAVE to use their phone during the school day?


No. You don't get to ask that. You are not their boss and you have zero say into their work expectations.

Sit down.


Lots of people here don't seem to have a problem with bossing around other people's kids.


A ban on an addictive and distracting device that was recommended by your child’s teachers? And all scientists? And now most major school jurisdictions across the country? And the elite private schools? And most parents?

And opposed by most students? And some helicopter parents who can’t handle their child’s sports practice change?



If they're that bad, then teachers shouldn't have them during the school day, either.


They will. And the kids won’t. Deal with it.
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:Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Communication Devices

School Board adopts all-day ban on student phone use, makes one exception
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/12/13/school-board-adopts-all-day-ban-on-student-phone-use-makes-one-exception/

"Arlington School Board members Thursday night (Dec. 12) voted unanimously (5-0) to implement a bell-to-bell ban on student use of phones in county schools starting Jan. 6. High school students will be allowed to have “brief” access to their phones in designated areas during non-instructional time, most likely around lunchtime."

No mention of penalties for students, and admin/teachers who do not follow the new policy.


Where do you see that this applies to admin/teachers? The quote above specifies “student use”.


It says they have to be off and away. It doesn't say only students have to turn them off and put them away.

Why would it be OK for teachers to play on their phones during the school day?


The policy is titled “Student use of cell phones…”. Everything that follows in the post mentions “student”.

Why are you asking if it would be ok for teachers to “play on their phones”? Who suggested that? There are, however, legitimate reasons a teacher might utilize a phone during the school day.


what are the legitimate reasons a teacher might have to use their phone during the school day?


None of your fcking business.


Well, you are quite unpleasant. And what do you mean not of my business? The teachers are ON the job supposed to be teaching my children. What they do during this time is exactly my and all of our business.

I'll ask again - why would a teacher HAVE to use their phone during the school day?


No. You don't get to ask that. You are not their boss and you have zero say into their work expectations.

Sit down.


Lots of people here don't seem to have a problem with bossing around other people's kids.


A ban on an addictive and distracting device that was recommended by your child’s teachers? And all scientists? And now most major school jurisdictions across the country? And the elite private schools? And most parents?

And opposed by most students? And some helicopter parents who can’t handle their child’s sports practice change?



If they're that bad, then teachers shouldn't have them during the school day, either.


I’m convinced. If teachers are really so against phones in school, they should live with the same ban. Principles too. Let’s get them pouches. Violations subject to write up’s. Let the teachers focus on teaching without social media distractions.


What do you “let’s?” Who are you again? Oh, right. Nobody.
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:Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Communication Devices

School Board adopts all-day ban on student phone use, makes one exception
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/12/13/school-board-adopts-all-day-ban-on-student-phone-use-makes-one-exception/

"Arlington School Board members Thursday night (Dec. 12) voted unanimously (5-0) to implement a bell-to-bell ban on student use of phones in county schools starting Jan. 6. High school students will be allowed to have “brief” access to their phones in designated areas during non-instructional time, most likely around lunchtime."

No mention of penalties for students, and admin/teachers who do not follow the new policy.


Where do you see that this applies to admin/teachers? The quote above specifies “student use”.


It says they have to be off and away. It doesn't say only students have to turn them off and put them away.

Why would it be OK for teachers to play on their phones during the school day?


The policy is titled “Student use of cell phones…”. Everything that follows in the post mentions “student”.

Why are you asking if it would be ok for teachers to “play on their phones”? Who suggested that? There are, however, legitimate reasons a teacher might utilize a phone during the school day.


what are the legitimate reasons a teacher might have to use their phone during the school day?


None of your fcking business.


Well, you are quite unpleasant. And what do you mean not of my business? The teachers are ON the job supposed to be teaching my children. What they do during this time is exactly my and all of our business.

I'll ask again - why would a teacher HAVE to use their phone during the school day?


No. You don't get to ask that. You are not their boss and you have zero say into their work expectations.

Sit down.


Lots of people here don't seem to have a problem with bossing around other people's kids.


A ban on an addictive and distracting device that was recommended by your child’s teachers? And all scientists? And now most major school jurisdictions across the country? And the elite private schools? And most parents?

And opposed by most students? And some helicopter parents who can’t handle their child’s sports practice change?



If they're that bad, then teachers shouldn't have them during the school day, either.


I’m convinced. If teachers are really so against phones in school, they should live with the same ban. Principles too. Let’s get them pouches. Violations subject to write up’s. Let the teachers focus on teaching without social media distractions.


You can’t spell principal. You don’t know that plural nouns don’t require apostrophes.

You’re a teenager. No wonder you’re so upset. Now that you don’t have your electronic crutch, maybe you can actually learn something.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Communication Devices

School Board adopts all-day ban on student phone use, makes one exception
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/12/13/school-board-adopts-all-day-ban-on-student-phone-use-makes-one-exception/

"Arlington School Board members Thursday night (Dec. 12) voted unanimously (5-0) to implement a bell-to-bell ban on student use of phones in county schools starting Jan. 6. High school students will be allowed to have “brief” access to their phones in designated areas during non-instructional time, most likely around lunchtime."

No mention of penalties for students, and admin/teachers who do not follow the new policy.


Where do you see that this applies to admin/teachers? The quote above specifies “student use”.


It says they have to be off and away. It doesn't say only students have to turn them off and put them away.

Why would it be OK for teachers to play on their phones during the school day?


The policy is titled “Student use of cell phones…”. Everything that follows in the post mentions “student”.

Why are you asking if it would be ok for teachers to “play on their phones”? Who suggested that? There are, however, legitimate reasons a teacher might utilize a phone during the school day.


what are the legitimate reasons a teacher might have to use their phone during the school day?


I’m an ES teacher. Every week I send an email update to families. Attached to that update I send a Google Slide deck of photos with captions showing what students did in school during the week. I use my camera to take those photos and upload to the slides. I have also used it to check the temperature or the radar (of there is a possibility of rain or it’s lightly raining) before heading outside to recess. It’s my watch when out at recess and it serves as my timer when completing 1:1 reading assessments.


You don't need a phone for those things. You have a computer and you can get a dumb watch with a timer.


You don't need get to tell PP what to do. And PP doesn't need to explain him/herself to you.

They will continue to do whatever works best for them - even if it occasionally involves using a phone.

Stuff it.


I would have agreed with you except that you took that away from my kid.


Too
Damn
Bad
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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Anonymous wrote:
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Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:<a href="https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/arlington/Board.nsf/files/DBTR7M6BF6F2/$file/J-30%20Student%20Use%20of%20Cell%20Phones%20and%20Personal%20Electronic%20Communication%20Devices_.pdf">Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Communication Devices</a>

School Board adopts all-day ban on student phone use, makes one exception
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/12/13/school-board-adopts-all-day-ban-on-student-phone-use-makes-one-exception/

"Arlington School Board members Thursday night (Dec. 12) voted unanimously (5-0) to implement a bell-to-bell ban on student use of phones in county schools starting Jan. 6. High school students will be allowed to have “brief” access to their phones in designated areas during non-instructional time, most likely around lunchtime."

No mention of penalties for students, and admin/teachers who do not follow the new policy.


Where do you see that this applies to admin/teachers? The quote above specifies “student use”.


It says they have to be off and away. It doesn't say only students have to turn them off and put them away.

Why would it be OK for teachers to play on their phones during the school day?


The policy is titled “Student use of cell phones…”. Everything that follows in the post mentions “student”.

Why are you asking if it would be ok for teachers to “play on their phones”? Who suggested that? There are, however, legitimate reasons a teacher might utilize a phone during the school day.


what are the legitimate reasons a teacher might have to use their phone during the school day?


None of your fcking business.


Well, you are quite unpleasant. And what do you mean not of my business? The teachers are ON the job supposed to be teaching my children. What they do during this time is exactly my and all of our business.

I'll ask again - why would a teacher HAVE to use their phone during the school day?


No. You don't get to ask that. You are not their boss and you have zero say into their work expectations.

Sit down.


Lots of people here don't seem to have a problem with bossing around other people's kids.


A ban on an addictive and distracting device that was recommended by your child’s teachers? And all scientists? And now most major school jurisdictions across the country? And the elite private schools? And most parents?

And opposed by most students? And some helicopter parents who can’t handle their child’s sports practice change?



If they're that bad, then teachers shouldn't have them during the school day, either.


Teachers are adults with different responsibilities. What are you, 12?

If a teacher is using a phone during class to scroll TikTok, I agree they should be fired. We can’t expel students for doing it though, because this is public school.


Or between classes. Or during lunch.

Let's install MDM software on any phones that teachers use during the school day to monitor for such unauthorized uses.


Again with the “let’s.” Sweetie, the pittance of your property taxes earmarked for public schools makes you the boss of NO ONE.
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:
Anonymous wrote:Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Communication Devices

School Board adopts all-day ban on student phone use, makes one exception
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/12/13/school-board-adopts-all-day-ban-on-student-phone-use-makes-one-exception/

"Arlington School Board members Thursday night (Dec. 12) voted unanimously (5-0) to implement a bell-to-bell ban on student use of phones in county schools starting Jan. 6. High school students will be allowed to have “brief” access to their phones in designated areas during non-instructional time, most likely around lunchtime."

No mention of penalties for students, and admin/teachers who do not follow the new policy.


Where do you see that this applies to admin/teachers? The quote above specifies “student use”.


It says they have to be off and away. It doesn't say only students have to turn them off and put them away.

Why would it be OK for teachers to play on their phones during the school day?


The policy is titled “Student use of cell phones…”. Everything that follows in the post mentions “student”.

Why are you asking if it would be ok for teachers to “play on their phones”? Who suggested that? There are, however, legitimate reasons a teacher might utilize a phone during the school day.


what are the legitimate reasons a teacher might have to use their phone during the school day?


None of your fcking business.


Well, you are quite unpleasant. And what do you mean not of my business? The teachers are ON the job supposed to be teaching my children. What they do during this time is exactly my and all of our business.

I'll ask again - why would a teacher HAVE to use their phone during the school day?


No. You don't get to ask that. You are not their boss and you have zero say into their work expectations.

Sit down.


Lots of people here don't seem to have a problem with bossing around other people's kids.


A ban on an addictive and distracting device that was recommended by your child’s teachers? And all scientists? And now most major school jurisdictions across the country? And the elite private schools? And most parents?

And opposed by most students? And some helicopter parents who can’t handle their child’s sports practice change?



If they're that bad, then teachers shouldn't have them during the school day, either.


I’m convinced. If teachers are really so against phones in school, they should live with the same ban. Principles too. Let’s get them pouches. Violations subject to write up’s. Let the teachers focus on teaching without social media distractions.


That is ridiculous, and I am a parent, not a teacher. The whole point of a phone ban in schools is to permit children to experience a distraction-free educational experience: students can focus on their academics, they can practice face-to-face communication, they have more opportunities for social and academic engagement, they won't be tempted to bully, they won't be distracted by helicopter parents of feel depressed or anxious due to incoming phone notifications or social media posts (look, I know teens can feel the same way about in person social interactions but those kinds of interactions are still proven to be kinder than what happens online), the list goes on. My concern is my child's experience, and I value it being phone free including ALL the students that makeup that community. If a teacher is in the teacher's lounge or in their empty classroom, I have zero concern or objection with them checking their phones. Of course, if a teacher is on their phone checking Facebook during class, that is a whole other issue that relates to their maturity and professionalism and should be dealt with by the administration accordingly.



Well the only way to enforce a rule that a teacher isn't on Facebook during class is a bright line ban. Also, I think teachers should be engaging in face to face communication with their colleagues during breaks. They should not be using their phones when alone in their classroom. That is paid time for planning, so the phone needs to be banned so it does not continue to distract them from their job duties.



But that logic applies to every employee everywhere. Employees are adults.

We have LOADS of rules that apply to students in school environments that are wholly distinct from employer-employee rules. I mean, an adult employee can go pee whenever they want in most jobs. Yours kid has to ask to use the bathroom.


Some students are adults too but the cell phone police said their phones have to be banned. So let's do the same for their teachers. If phones are so bad for the students, same for the teachers. Principals and school board members too!


It
Is
Not
Going
To
Happen

Pipe
Down
Becky
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:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Communication Devices

School Board adopts all-day ban on student phone use, makes one exception
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/12/13/school-board-adopts-all-day-ban-on-student-phone-use-makes-one-exception/

"Arlington School Board members Thursday night (Dec. 12) voted unanimously (5-0) to implement a bell-to-bell ban on student use of phones in county schools starting Jan. 6. High school students will be allowed to have “brief” access to their phones in designated areas during non-instructional time, most likely around lunchtime."

No mention of penalties for students, and admin/teachers who do not follow the new policy.


Where do you see that this applies to admin/teachers? The quote above specifies “student use”.


It says they have to be off and away. It doesn't say only students have to turn them off and put them away.

Why would it be OK for teachers to play on their phones during the school day?


The policy is titled “Student use of cell phones…”. Everything that follows in the post mentions “student”.

Why are you asking if it would be ok for teachers to “play on their phones”? Who suggested that? There are, however, legitimate reasons a teacher might utilize a phone during the school day.


what are the legitimate reasons a teacher might have to use their phone during the school day?


None of your fcking business.


Well, you are quite unpleasant. And what do you mean not of my business? The teachers are ON the job supposed to be teaching my children. What they do during this time is exactly my and all of our business.

I'll ask again - why would a teacher HAVE to use their phone during the school day?


No. You don't get to ask that. You are not their boss and you have zero say into their work expectations.

Sit down.


Lots of people here don't seem to have a problem with bossing around other people's kids.


A ban on an addictive and distracting device that was recommended by your child’s teachers? And all scientists? And now most major school jurisdictions across the country? And the elite private schools? And most parents?

And opposed by most students? And some helicopter parents who can’t handle their child’s sports practice change?



If they're that bad, then teachers shouldn't have them during the school day, either.


I’m convinced. If teachers are really so against phones in school, they should live with the same ban. Principles too. Let’s get them pouches. Violations subject to write up’s. Let the teachers focus on teaching without social media distractions.


That is ridiculous, and I am a parent, not a teacher. The whole point of a phone ban in schools is to permit children to experience a distraction-free educational experience: students can focus on their academics, they can practice face-to-face communication, they have more opportunities for social and academic engagement, they won't be tempted to bully, they won't be distracted by helicopter parents of feel depressed or anxious due to incoming phone notifications or social media posts (look, I know teens can feel the same way about in person social interactions but those kinds of interactions are still proven to be kinder than what happens online), the list goes on. My concern is my child's experience, and I value it being phone free including ALL the students that makeup that community. If a teacher is in the teacher's lounge or in their empty classroom, I have zero concern or objection with them checking their phones. Of course, if a teacher is on their phone checking Facebook during class, that is a whole other issue that relates to their maturity and professionalism and should be dealt with by the administration accordingly.



Well the only way to enforce a rule that a teacher isn't on Facebook during class is a bright line ban. Also, I think teachers should be engaging in face to face communication with their colleagues during breaks. They should not be using their phones when alone in their classroom. That is paid time for planning, so the phone needs to be banned so it does not continue to distract them from their job duties.



+1. Either it is important or it isn't. Allowing teachers to play on their phones during the school day suggests it isn't important.


Teachers are telling you it’s harming the students. So are scientists. Social media companies admit that they program their platforms to be addictive as possible. Do you not experience your child being distracted on their phone? If you don’t, you either don’t have a teenager or you aren’t paying attention.

We make rules for children in schools that are distinct from adult employees in all kinds of professional jobs. I’m so unclear why you think that making a rule for children that doesn’t apply to adults makes the rule for children a bad rule? Of course it would be better if we all (adults) put our phones down during the work day. But that is a separate question from making rules for students.


If you think it is also bad for adults, then why wouldn't you expect adults to abide by the same rule when they are supposed to be working? We're not talking about what they do at home.


+1. Plus it's going to be pretty hard for teachers to enforce a ban when they are on their own phones. Practice what you preach!!!


Y'all are acting like teachers are on their phones all day, including during their own lectures and classes. The "teachers" that have been guilty of this are substitute teachers - they are the ones who should be given pouches when they report for duty.


Some of them are addicted to their phones, just like some students are. Give everyone pouches.


Nope. Pouches are only for students.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Students should set up robocalls to teachers, principals, and school board members to demonstrate their hypocrisy.


Love this


Okay? My phone is always on DND at work, I check it in between meetings, so its not like this would be the "gotcha" you think it is. My phone only rings if my Emergency Contacts call me.


I'd be fine with this except you took this away from high school students, so why do you think you should get this access while they can't?


You cannot be this stupid. It’s not possible.
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