Cell phones and grades!

[mhsjax]

Hey the kids had fair warning about the cell phone and texting during class.. take em away isn't like cutting off their arm with no anesthesia.

Hey look, I agree 110% about no texting in class, I was just commenting to the well I never had them and I survived, our fore father survived without alot of the conveniences that we have, that was what this comment was about not the texting. and yes our scholl does take them away and we have no problem. however we have had several times at another school in our area when kids didn't have phones and the bus was 2 hours late and the school would not let the kids in to call their parents and notify them and the school phones were turned off to in coming calls, so sometimes students having cell phones can be a great service, but no during class times. This was my point.

 

[mhsjax]

Your sarcasm is not helpful or appreciated by those of us who have actually experienced the school failing or outright refusing to call us when our child has a serious problem. Once, the school refused to call me when dd's hand was smashed in a door. They gave her ice and told her to shut up. Two other times, she was having serious problems with her asthma and the school nurse told her she was having a panic attack and to 'stop it.' Both times, a friend used her cell phone to call me because dd was so deep into the attack she could no longer talk. If I'd waited for someone in authority to call me those two times, my dd might be dead today.

And FTR -- there are NO pay phones at her school. There is no way to call out except via the office and if you're having an asthma attack walking the length of this huge school (1000s of students big) is a good way to end up unconscious on the floor.

same here, next door neighbor's son was on the verge of a full blown asthma attack and they lied to him and told them that they called his mom, lucky for him, he had a cell and called his mom and she made sure some heads rolled at the school. the Dr said much longer and the kid really would have been in trouble

 

[HelenePA]

Your sarcasm is not helpful or appreciated by those of us who have actually experienced the school failing or outright refusing to call us when our child has a serious problem. Once, the school refused to call me when dd's hand was smashed in a door. They gave her ice and told her to shut up. Two other times, she was having serious problems with her asthma and the school nurse told her she was having a panic attack and to 'stop it.' Both times, a friend used her cell phone to call me because dd was so deep into the attack she could no longer talk. If I'd waited for someone in authority to call me those two times, my dd might be dead today.

And FTR -- there are NO pay phones at her school. There is no way to call out except via the office and if you're having an asthma attack walking the length of this huge school (1000s of students big) is a good way to end up unconscious on the floor.

Sounds like your DD is in a bad school to me You need to take this problems up with the school district, having cell phones will NOT make the schools any better dealing with these problems. It will just make it worse. Call the superintendent that's what they are there for. If they aren't made aware of the problems in the office how are they to fix things?? My mom was a school board president for many years (god rest her soul) and she would have had alot of words said with the school if she found out crap was going on like this at our school. If the superintendent wont help you fix them call your school board members (they are elected, they are "working" for you!) go to a school board meeting, its published in the paper when they are, keep your eyes out and go. They have a public comment section usually at the end of beginning of the meeting. If they ignore you the first time. Go again, keep going until things are fixed. Cell phone are NOT the answer to the problem, I'm sorry if you feel this way.

 

[HelenePA]

Hey look, I agree 110% about no texting in class, I was just commenting to the well I never had them and I survived, our fore father survived without alot of the conveniences that we have, that was what this comment was about not the texting. and yes our scholl does take them away and we have no problem. however we have had several times at another school in our area when kids didn't have phones and the bus was 2 hours late and the school would not let the kids in to call their parents and notify them and the school phones were turned off to in coming calls, so sometimes students having cell phones can be a great service, but no during class times. This was my point.

What in the world is wrong with your school districts?? I agree cells are great just not in class.. I dont know why any student would need a cell phone turned on in the middle of class. If they are caught texting during class.. take the phone what is wrong with that?? Don't like the punishment DON'T DO THE CRIME...

 

[mhsjax]

Sounds like your DD is in a bad school to me You need to take this problems up with the school district, having cell phones will NOT make the schools any better dealing with these problems. It will just make it worse. Call the superintendent that's what they are there for. If they aren't made aware of the problems in the office how are they to fix things?? My mom was a school board president for many years (god rest her soul) and she would have had alot of words said with the school if she found out crap was going on like this at our school. If the superintendent wont help you fix them call your school board members (they are elected, they are "working" for you!) go to a school board meeting, its published in the paper when they are, keep your eyes out and go. They have a public comment section usually at the end of beginning of the meeting. If they ignore you the first time. Go again, keep going until things are fixed. Cell phone are NOT the answer to the problem, I'm sorry if you feel this way.

Actually, Cell phones can be a life saver in this situation. Sorry you feel the way you do

 

[HelenePA]

Actually, Cell phones can be a life saver in this situation. Sorry you feel the way you do

Cell phones can be a life saver in any situation but what life are they saving while texting during class?? That's what this thread is about.. texting during class, not cell phones in school in general. Am I missing something? Text during class, get the cell phone taken away.. dont do the crime unless you want to do the time..

 

[mhsjax]

What in the world is wrong with your school districts?? I agree cells are great just not in class.. I dont know why any student would need a cell phone turned on in the middle of class. If they are caught texting during class.. take the phone what is wrong with that?? Don't like the punishment DON'T DO THE CRIME...

Ok, what part are you not getting. I live in a great school district execpt for a few minor problems, and they all have them. I never said a child needed a cell in class. I said I agreed 110% with not texting in class , the kids can't even carry them, they have to be put in their locker and turned off, HOWEVER, in an emergency they are available it the kids need them. And they are takend away if caught and I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with is the attitude that kids shouldn't have cell phone at school, that is some peoples opinion and not fact and as long as they are obeying the rules then I think they are great.

 

[mhsjax]

and also maybe I should go back to school for spelling and typing lessons. lol

 

[jrmasm]

There's a pretty good way around the whole confiscation thing, and leave it to my son to find it. All you need to do is get a spare phone and go to the mobile store and they'll give you an extra sim card -- VOILA! New phone.

A few years ago, my son got his phone confiscated by the summer school program for the remainder of the summer. I fully supported them and told him it served him right. Then Mr. Smarty Pants figured out the solution. I laugh now, but it wasn't funny then.

Oh, and you can have texting shut off from the hours of 7-3 depending on your service. I have a friend whose daughter kept testing the phone rules again and again. The thing is, they were ALLOWED to text in class. So Mom said no way, and had the cell company block texting between those hours. Go Mom! :cheer2:

Go Mom? Seriously? Why didn't she punish her precious for not following HER rules? Like take the phone away or take texting away?

 

[HelenePA]

and also maybe I should go back to school for spelling and typing lessons. lol

nahhh spell check is your friend Gotta go.. kids are almost home from school. I really dont have a problem with phones in school, I'm not sure about how I feel about them walking around with them, I just dont see the need for them to be turned on during classes. Anyway its been fun.. Remember to call your school board members if this kind of crap continues (my mom got calls for stuff much less serious than this over the 12 years!) it shouldn't happen once yet alone twice.

 

[jrmasm]

What in the world is wrong with your school districts?? I agree cells are great just not in class.. I dont know why any student would need a cell phone turned on in the middle of class. If they are caught texting during class.. take the phone what is wrong with that?? Don't like the punishment DON'T DO THE CRIME...

I completely agree with you. Students do not need to have their phones in their possession during school hours. Lockers are fine.

BTW, I have an 8th grader.

 

[mhsjax]

nahhh spell check is your friend Gotta go.. kids are almost home from school. I really dont have a problem with phones in school, I'm not sure about how I feel about them walking around with them, I just dont see the need for them to be turned on during classes. Anyway its been fun.. Remember to call your school board members if this kind of crap continues (my mom got calls for stuff much less serious than this over the 12 years!) it shouldn't happen once yet alone twice.

well then we agree, and thank goodness we actually go to a different school now and they are great about calling the parents. so no worries on this end.

 

[MushyMushy]

Go Mom? Seriously? Why didn't she punish her precious for not following HER rules? Like take the phone away or take texting away?

Um, she did punish her. By turning off the texting during school hours.

Just because it's not a punishment YOU would use doesn't make it any less of one in this case.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

I just bought my 13 year old son a cell phone today. It was an incentive for him getting a 3.0 or higher. In the past he had not cared about grades and a C or lower never phased him. I told him if he gets a 3.0 he would earn a cell phone - not thinking he woud care or reach it. Well he did and I have to follow through on my promise... BUT I did NOT activate texting or internet service. I think the phone is important beause he does Boy Scout stuff and this way he can call me when he is ready to be picked up. If he keeps his grades up he 'may' get texting. At this time I do 100% agree that phones don't belong in the classroom at all or even in school for use while rotating classes. Before school and after school but not at recess or lunch either or only in an emergency......

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I am glad someone finally mentioned that some cell carriers allow you to block texting during certain hours. I am seriously considering school hours, plus after 10PM, but I think my 16 year old's head would explode.
We have really cracked down on cell use at my school. Before it was a teacher to teacher thing--in fact I'd often just say "put the phone away". This year our new principal urged us to have a united front on this and several other issues. Now I've confiscated 16 phones so far this year. It's actually fun after a while! The crestfallen look on the face just cracks me up.
The thing is, the kids are so very, very obvious about it even if it's in the pocket or purse, the teacher knows they are texting. I will just walk up to a student and tell him to hand it over. Boys tend to be leaning back in the desk looking down at the pocket; girls are looking down into the purse and one hand is in there as well. In the cafeteria they hold it under the table so they have one or two hands under the table and they are looking down.
The first time it gets taken away I take it to the dean of students and the student gets it back at the end of the day with demerits. The second time mom or dad have to come get it (even if the student is 18) and they get more demerits.
Look, the reason my girls have phones is because of the worst-case scenario--what if there is a shooter in school, etc.--but they know the rules. If they break them, I'm certainly not going to enable them by challenging the school's right to confiscate the phone.
Robin M.

 

[jrmasm]

Um, she did punish her. By turning off the texting during school hours.

Just because it's not a punishment YOU would use doesn't make it any less of one in this case.

She didn't punish her. What she did was similar to childproofing your home when you have a baby/toddler that doesn't understand consequences. She simply removed the temptation. There was no punishment for defying the parent's rule of no texting during school.

 

[Talking Hands]

Ok, what part are you not getting. I live in a great school district execpt for a few minor problems, and they all have them. I never said a child needed a cell in class. I said I agreed 110% with not texting in class , the kids can't even carry them, they have to be put in their locker and turned off, HOWEVER, in an emergency they are available it the kids need them. And they are takend away if caught and I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with is the attitude that kids shouldn't have cell phone at school, that is some peoples opinion and not fact and as long as they are obeying the rules then I think they are great.

Glad Jax still has lockers in their schools. Miami-Dade doesn't. Only place there are lockers in Voc Ed areas where they have to store their tools like in Cosmetology or Auto Mechanics.
I have no problem with the kids having the cells in their backpacks turned off or even turned to silent. Mine is always clipped to my belt on silent. No vibrate, no flashing lights but it still receives text and I can answer on a break. Only people I answer during the school day are other faculty or staff and my DH is also a sub. For me it is easier to recieve a text than to try to understand over the intercom or phone due to hearing loss. There are a few of us working at this school with hearing loss who use text to communicate with the office.

 

[chisnpeke]

When I was in high school they first had a policy of no cell phones but I believe changed it to you could have it but couldn't have it on. If you got caught with it you had it taken and picked it up at the end of the day. I think a second offense they would keep your phone (the same went for ipods as well). Well where they were keeping them somehow got broken into and everything was stolen so the school no longer took phones but could just write you up.

I had some teachers who didn't really care if you texted and some that did. Some who knew but didn't say anything. It really just depended.

Personally I feel it is up to the teacher to control the classroom. If you see a problem with texting you address it and take control.

 

[stashbin]

Thanks to all of your responses. I want everyone to know that I do think our texting problem is a school and parent issue. We (the teachers) take the phones, write the student up for a phone violation, the phone is returned a week later. Multiple offenses bring suspension, but usually the repeat offenders are the ones who's parents allow them to keep getting their phone back. So my thoughts on phones in the classroom remains. Most of MY students who are failing are the ones texting. I think turning off the ability to text during school hours MAY help these kids focus on their school work and not their phones.
And by the way...placing the phones on the edge of the desk...yeah right. They are not supposed to have them period.
Read the text allowed.....the kids can turn the phone off, lock it, take the battery so fast it will make your head swim.
And for all you parents who think your kid is too afraid to text at school...think again.

 

[taximomfor4]

my husband teaches in a public high school. Some teachers look the other way. If my dh catches a kid with a phone or ipod out at all, he takes it. He then calls the parents and they have to come and get it. He figures parents might get tired of being inconvenienced, and control their kids.

My dd is a high school student in a different district. She has a cell. I check her phone use (online or on the detailed bill) regularly. If she EVER sends a text or answers/makes a call during the school day, her phone is gone. GONE. And she knows it. In a year, it's never happened.