Cell Phones...

[AtoZ]

I apologize if this has already been discussed...

As you all know, there's been a lot of talk about whether or not students should be allowed to have cell phones at school, in the classroom, etc.

I have worked at a few schools and subbed in one relatively large district, and cell phones are a constant problem. In this particular district, I felt that administration wasn't doing enough to set the rules and/or support teachers who had their own cell phone rules in the classroom.

So..I'd like to hear from forum members: What is your school's policy on cell phones? What is your classroom policy? Any examples of how you and/or administration dealt with someone not following the policy?

[Maoman1]

My school is supposed to have a zero tolerance for cell phones. The first time the cell phones are out, the teachers are supposed to send the student down to the office and he/she gets one day of ISD (In School Detention) where they sit in a small room until the end of the day. When a second offence happens, the student's phone is taken away and kept in the office for two weeks. The student then gets three days of ISD and when the two weeks is up, only a parent or gaurdian can get the phone from the office. Most teachers let it slide for the first offence but if it becomes a problem, they support the rules. The same goes for other devices such as a gameboy or mp3 player. Luckily, I haven't been caught, but I know a few people who have. My cell doesn't work now but when it did, I was sneaky... :gabby::laugh::D

[mercygate]

We have a no-tolerance policy for cell phones, MP-3s, game gizmos for my Catechism program. And I am a demon about it. This year I have had no problems at all. Since September!

I've decided if you can't beat the cell phones, then USE the cell phones. I am going to make group lists on my Blackberry and send assignment reminders and little encouragements to the kids. Heck, if Obama won the election with a Blackberry and the Pope has a YouTube page, I'm ready to join the information age!

I teach 12-year-olds, and some of them REALLY need help with organizational skills. Their assignment for the next class is to set up a spot at home where they can park all the stuff they need for the next day of school (book bag, musical instrument, sport bag, umbrella) and take a picture of it with their phone.

When they come to class next time, they'll open their phone's photo file and show the picture. Maybe we'll take a vote on "best launch pad."

I can't believe that ALL my kids have cell phones!

[Maoman1]

I might bring that up to my teachers... even though my cell doesn't work.:)

[Boxcar]

Just a warning - Not all students have cell phones. I didn't get mine till I could pay for it myself. Know your demographic and whether they all have one. It is really hard being singled out for not being able to afford something.

I think that trying to prevent the students from bringing in electronics is a lost cause. It has been happening for a long time. (Does anyone remember Messeage Sender Diaries? They were like the first text messaging devices... Everyone had them when I was in the fourth grade.)

I agree that the Don't Ask Don't Tell method is probably the best. If you don't see or hear the phone, it is okay. For tests, have the students put everything on the sides of the room. That way, it minimizes cheating. Yes, there are still ways to cheat - really creative ones too! Still, it will reduce the temptation.

There are ways to block cell signals. You can buy a device to install in your classroom. Obviously, you'd want to clear it with the school and have them foot the bill. In case of an emergency, the device can be turned off so reception is restored.

[AtoZ]

I'll throw in another question: when you attend staff meetings, do you see people using their cell phones? How does the discussion leader deal with it?


I find it hillarious and at the same time it bothers me extremely when colleagues exhibit the same behavior that we try to curb in the classroom (and cell phones are just the tip of the iceberg!)

[Dhe Poet]

I mentioned to my wife more than once how I wished I didn't have to have one. She makes me carry one in case of an emergency. I'd rather it be like the old days when we found out in time.

[Boxcar]

I hate that there are no pay phones left anywhere. What if you don't have a phone or your battery is dead. Multiple times I have needed to make a call and found my phone dead. Then, I'd go looking for a pay phone only to find they'd all vanished.

[Ebeth]

Our school has a don't ask, don't tell policy. If I catch a student with an electronic device I confiscate it and their parent has to come and pick it up. There is no cell service in my classroom so the only reason a student would have it out is to show it off or play games in the restroom. If the student gets caught with it again, it goes to the principal and they do not get it ba ck until the end of the year.

[dsmms]

Our school has a don't ask, don't tell policy. If I catch a student with an electronic device I confiscate it and their parent has to come and pick it up. There is no cell service in my classroom so the only reason a student would have it out is to show it off or play games in the restroom. If the student gets caught with it again, it goes to the principal and they do not get it ba ck until the end of the year.

When I take up a cell phone, I put it in an envelope in front of the kids and then turn it in to the principal - first time. We were warned by administration that there were privacy issues and to be careful when the phones are in our possession. I would rather the principal deal with that. I do not want to be accused of looking at the kids texts or personal info on their phone.

The kids are allowed to have the phones, but they have to be turned off and kept in backpack, purse or similar personal carry-all and may not be used during school hours. If the phone is taken up, a parent has to come to the school to pick it up.

School was cancelled half way through the school day today due to snow. I live in TN and it doesn't take much to shut us down. We do not get much snow in this particular section of the state. Thank Goodness the kids had cell phones! They were able to call home to inform parents that they needed rides home. For some reason, most of the buses didn't run. What a mess! Most students, rich and poor had a cell phone. The exceptions were a few that said they had forgotten their phone at home or the battery was dead. These are sixth graders! Boy, times have changed!

[Boxcar]

At the schools in my area, the children aren't allowed to use their phones to tell parents school is canceled. It has to come from the designated office staff. This is for safety reasons. It would be much easier if the students were allowed to use the phones, but that is what the policy is.

[dsmms]

At the schools in my area, the children aren't allowed to use their phones to tell parents school is canceled. It has to come from the designated office staff. This is for safety reasons. It would be much easier if the students were allowed to use the phones, but that is what the policy is.

This is probably our policy as well. But with no buses running, we would still be trying to contact the parents of 1100 students. The office staff was overwhelmed. I can't believe that they just refused to do their job and provide the transportation as they are contracted to do. They really dropped the ball on this. Needless to say, parents were not happy about having to make arrangements to get their kids. I'm sure we haven't heard the last of it.

[Boxcar]

That is terrible that the buses refused transportation! I hope that the school can find a much more reliable company to contract with in the future!

[Brit]

as far as other staff with bad electronic habits --

Our board has a blackberry for every principal and VP, I believe. I think it's a perk of the job (this is just a guess). Mine are tied to theirs, our VP especially. I consider it an endearing quirk. honestly, teachers are the worst perpetraitors of the crimes we hate the most -- ever try to get a bunch of teachers to shut up, sit still, and listen? I'd never want to teach a room full of teachers!

[Boxcar]

I think you may be right. It can be really hard to practice what you preach sometimes! Of course, I'm lucky. My preschoolers will call me out on it. Like today, we were going outdoors and I didn't have my coat zipped. The rule is you zip your coat when you go outside. So, the children pointed this out to me. Guess who ended up zipping thier coat?

[dsmms]

Kids love to catch you on things! I make a big deal telling them that I hope they aren't too disappointed to find out that I'm not perfect after all!:rofl:

[mercygate]

Just a warning - Not all students have cell phones. I didn't get mine till I could pay for it myself. Know your demographic and whether they all have one. It is really hard being singled out for not being able to afford something.

I think that trying to prevent the students from bringing in electronics is a lost cause. It has been happening for a long time. (Does anyone remember Messeage Sender Diaries? They were like the first text messaging devices... Everyone had them when I was in the fourth grade.)

I agree that the Don't Ask Don't Tell method is probably the best. If you don't see or hear the phone, it is okay. For tests, have the students put everything on the sides of the room. That way, it minimizes cheating. Yes, there are still ways to cheat - really creative ones too! Still, it will reduce the temptation.

There are ways to block cell signals. You can buy a device to install in your classroom. Obviously, you'd want to clear it with the school and have them foot the bill. In case of an emergency, the device can be turned off so reception is restored.One of my colleagues, who teaches 7th grade, has a basket at the door. All phones & other electronic gadgetry goes in the basket (turned OFF) at the beginning of class.

[SS Rocks!]

I'd say our policy is also "don't ask, don't tell", however if a student is caught with a cell phone the teacher is required to take it. The phone goes to administration and a parent must pick the phone up from the office.

I have only had to take one cell phone when it went off in class. I felt bad because I genuinely believe it was accidental, but I felt I still had to take it in order to set a precedent.

The only exception I make is when a student comes to me, tells me or shows me they have a phone on their person. I then allow them to turn it off and take it to their locker.

[Karenrbw]

Our policy is no cell phones should be visible during school hours. They are taken and kept in the principal's office until the end of the day. On the second offense, a parent must pick them up. I know the kids still have them, but I don't see or hear them. As soon as the last bell rings, the phones are to the ears.

[seastarmath]

Question regarding those devices mentioned here that jam cell signals: Do they cause problems with wireless Internet or network connections? I would love to look into getting one of those things if they didn't interfere with other things.

[Boxcar]

I think you can choose to what is blocked. Dial-up might be a problem, but that would be it. I've been in places with internet access where I can't placed a call on my phone.

[Meese]

I agree with you all - fussing about cells takes way too much time. I try to just ignore cell phones in the classroom and get on with the business at hand. If a student is basically responding to the activity we're doing, I let it go. It's kind of the same realm of behavior as "sagging" - I don't want to spend all day telling kids to tuck their shirts in.

[MsCoffeeLover]

Our county has policies in place as well as documentation that always needs to be completed. Cell phones can be on school property, but they have to be turned off and in lockers. Of course, not all kids follow that rule. If a teacher confiscates a cell phone, they fill out something and turn it in to the office. First offenses can be picked up by a parent. Next offense the phone is taken and kept until the end of the year.

I confiscated a cell phone yesterday. Poor kid thought she ought to send text messages as the rest of us watched The Lion King. There was no fuss or words spoken. I just walked over, held my hand out, she put it in my hand, and I notified her mother. Now I just have to find the time to put it in an envelope, find that documentation that must be filled out, and get it up to the front office. Being in the trailers, the front office is so far away. :)