Anonymous wrote:I don't love this idea. With all the school shootings going on, I want my kid to be able to call 911 when he needs to.

Yup.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought someone else would have posted this by now, but really? They're going to issue each kid a Yondr pouch, require daily use, and CONFISCATE phones for a whole term if not used? I can't even imagine how many kids are going to miss buses because they have to wait to unlock their pouch. This is what DCPS spends money on.

Don’t Deal students take metro/metrobus? If you miss one bus, you just take the next one.

Because transit and schools don't talk to one another, there are two busses for all of the kids at the time when school gets out (to my neighborhood - just one to others). My kid has missed practice because last year she had to hustle from the back of the building to the front to catch the bus in time. If I was at work, she had to walk 40 minutes home. Not the end of the world, but when backpacks are heavy, weather is bad, crime is up... it's definitely not ideal. And if she can't get her technology for 1) Me to track where she is and 2) Her to let us know where she is or what's going on... pretty not okay.

Kids do not need cell phones while in school. I cannot believe parents have issues with this new rule. Dependency on cell phones is not healthy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't love this idea. With all the school shootings going on, I want my kid to be able to call 911 when he needs to.

each classroom has a phone

Deal classroom phones do not work. I’ve had to pick my kid up midday once and was told the classroom phone did not work so someone has to physically walk to the class.

Do the classroom teachers have to lock up their cell phones?? Pretty sure NO. You people are absolutely ridiculous. Seriously. My kid is allowed to have her phone at her HS and sure, it's come in handy to be able to communicate at times. But the world would not end if I could not reach by phone her until school ends. My parents managed to go my entire elementary-college years without ever contacting me at school. Somehow.

+1. This is also the policy at virtually every private in DC, so somehow the neediest parents on the planet manage.

Also, if your student is checking their phone often enough to get your unexpected texts in a timely manner, don’t kid yourself… they’re on their phone throughout the day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't love this idea. With all the school shootings going on, I want my kid to be able to call 911 when he needs to.

each classroom has a phone

Deal classroom phones do not work. I’ve had to pick my kid up midday once and was told the classroom phone did not work so someone has to physically walk to the class.

Do the classroom teachers have to lock up their cell phones?? Pretty sure NO. You people are absolutely ridiculous. Seriously. My kid is allowed to have her phone at her HS and sure, it's come in handy to be able to communicate at times. But the world would not end if I could not reach by phone her until school ends. My parents managed to go my entire elementary-college years without ever contacting me at school. Somehow.

Many middle schools in Dc collect phones. It’s pretty standard and reduces inappropriate cell phone use inside schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worked as admin in large middle school these patches work. There are not keys to unlock it’s a quick pass through a magnetic device. School can purchase several of these.

lol how long until an enterprising kid buys one?

Was in a large Ms in New York City kids never found a way to buy the unlocking magnet.

I have picked up my kid early from Deal a half dozen times for appointments over the years and the phones worked in multiple classrooms.

I think the pouches are great and hopefully it will help teachers cut down on policing illicit phone use.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't love this idea. With all the school shootings going on, I want my kid to be able to call 911 when he needs to.

each classroom has a phone

Deal classroom phones do not work. I’ve had to pick my kid up midday once and was told the classroom phone did not work so someone has to physically walk to the class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this any better than just requiring the kids to put their phones into their lockers, wich is what my older kid did for three years at Deal (now in high school) and my younger did last year as a 6th grader?

The sack means kids can’t say “oops, I forgot it was in my bag.” So consequences can and will be more draconian. At least that’s the theory. Maybe it doesn’t work but I’m happy they’re trying something.

NP. I don't understand your reply. DCPS doesn't do consequences for actual behavioral issues, why do we think they will for phones? If they aren't enforcing consequences for failure to put them in lockers, why would they do it for phones not in pouches?

Anonymous wrote:I don't love this idea. With all the school shootings going on, I want my kid to be able to call 911 when he needs to.

each classroom has a phone

I don't love this idea. With all the school shootings going on, I want my kid to be able to call 911 when he needs to.

Love this idea!

Anonymous wrote:Worked as admin in large middle school these patches work. There are not keys to unlock it’s a quick pass through a magnetic device. School can purchase several of these.

lol how long until an enterprising kid buys one?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this any better than just requiring the kids to put their phones into their lockers, wich is what my older kid did for three years at Deal (now in high school) and my younger did last year as a 6th grader?

The sack means kids can’t say “oops, I forgot it was in my bag.” So consequences can and will be more draconian. At least that’s the theory. Maybe it doesn’t work but I’m happy they’re trying something.

Consequences at a DCPS school? Oh, you’re so cute.