Schools adapt to increased text messaging, cell phone use / LJWorld.com

Archive for Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Southwest Junior High School seventh-grader John Meissoach talks on his cell phone after school Dec. 19. John said students are allowed to keep their cell phones in their pockets, but they aren't allowed to use them during school hours. "You can sneak it," he said, "but you're not supposed to."

By Karrey Britt

December 26, 2007

Ashley Miles is like most teenagers - she can't live without her cell phone.

The Perry-Lecompton High School freshman has had a cell phone since seventh grade and mostly uses it to text message her friends. Recently, such a message during school hours landed her in the principal's office, where her phone was taken away until she served 30 minutes of detention.

Ashley admits that she disobeyed the school's policy of not using cell phones during school hours and thought the punishment fit the crime. But she questions the means in which she was caught.

Ashley believes Principal J.B. Elliott looked through her friend's cell phone - which had been confiscated - and located a message that she had sent earlier that day.

"I think it's an invasion of privacy," Ashley said. "I personally don't even like my parents looking through my phone and so I wouldn't want a principal to do it."

Ashley said five other students were punished, and she believes it was because the principal looked at previous text messages on the confiscated phone.

"Everyone was pretty mad about it," she said.

Elliott said he didn't look through the cell phone. He said he caught Ashley and the others because they sent text messages while their friend's confiscated phone was sitting on his desk. He said the names just popped up on the screen.

"That was kind of an easy one to get," he said.

After learning about the student's allegations, Elliott said he likely would implement a new policy of having the students take the batteries out of the cell phones once they are confiscated.

Other schools might want to look at their policies as text messaging becomes more popular as a mode of communication.

According to CellSigns Inc., more than 18.6 billion text messages were sent per month in 2006. That number has grown by 250 percent each year for the past two years.

Sprint spokeswoman Emmy Anderson said text messaging usage is growing fastest among teens and the 40- to 50-year-old age group. The number of Sprint customers who use text messaging has increased 23 percent during the past year.

Gray area

Kevin Ireland, staff attorney with the Kansas State Department of Education, said the problem is that technology is moving faster than school policies. But the bottom line is schools have the authority to regulate what comes on school property, which includes any electronic device. They also have the authority to ban them. But reviewing a text message or e-mail is a gray area.

"It is not a simple area to deal with and there's so many ifs involved," he said. "Simply seizing a text messaging instrument to simply - out of curiosity - see what is going on, I think, that could be a problem. But if there has been some type of threat or something else that would be disruptive to the educational setting and the principal is in the process of trying to investigate that, then maybe not."

In the Lawrence school district, policies regarding electronic devices are left up to each school. In general, most schools do not allow use of items such as cell phones during class time but differ on whether students can use them during lunch break or between classes. The punishments vary slightly, but most offenders get their devices taken away for the day.

Lawrence High School allows the use of electronic devices before and after school, during lunch and during class with the permission of a teacher. Students are not allowed to use them between classes.

"We thought it was good for students to actually interact with each other, to actually look up and make sure they weren't running into somebody," said Steve Nilhas, LHS principal.

If students are caught disobeying the rules, the electronic device is confiscated until the next day. He said parents can pick them up.

"For the most part, we have tried to look at meeting this halfway - not being overly draconian and not being overly permissive either," Nilhas said.

New era

Trish Bransky, Southwest Junior High School principal, agrees.

"This is an era when instant communication is important to people and it's available and I think, we, who didn't grow up with all of that, need to realize that this is the world now. This is the world that we are living in and will continue to do so. I think we have to make adjustments."

Caroline King is among the Southwest students who have embraced the electronic era. She said she text messages her friends and family "a lot."

"To carry on a conversation, it can take more than an hour," King said.

While Southwest students aren't supposed to use cell phones during school, King said, they do.

"Most people are smart enough to not get caught with it multiple times in a row because then you have to get your parents to come (pick up your phone)," she said.

Discussion

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26 December 2007
at 10 a.m.

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salad (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
26 December 2007
at 10:02 a.m.

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LMH (Anonymous) says…

“Cell phones have no education purpose and should be banned from schools.”

DITTO - in bold caps!!!
26 December 2007
at 10:09 a.m.

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jumpin_catfish (Anonymous) says…

It isn't just students, teacher use them in school during class which I believe is against district policy but administrators don't want to ruffle any feathers. Instant communication is not an alienable right.
26 December 2007
at 10:12 a.m.

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salad (Anonymous) says…

We ALL went K-12 without cell phones and survived. We communicated by passing notes…it was fun and it was free. Cell phones are also expensive.
26 December 2007
at 10:13 a.m.

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Informed (Anonymous) says…

salad says:
“pernicous[sic] evil of cell phones…”

Informed responds:
what the …??? (in bold caps, of course)
26 December 2007
at 10:17 a.m.

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Informed (Anonymous) says…

Yes, salad, and some of us even went K-12 (and beyond) without computers and survived. However, I'm not willing to give up my computers just to satisfy your desire to remain firmly planted in cement.
26 December 2007
at 10:19 a.m.

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teachks (Anonymous) says…

Some responsibility needs to be put on the parents. They need to teach them when it is appropriate to use their phones and when it is not. Kids have no concept that it is rude or disrespectful when they use their phones at time that are considered inappropriate.

26 December 2007
at 10:38 a.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

Kids are (electronically) passing notes and talking in class.
Who thinks this is a good thing?
We don't really need to encourage our electronic addictions in school, do we?
…at work, YES, but school?~)…
26 December 2007
at 10:48 a.m.

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Informed (Anonymous) says…

Sadly, teachks, many adults have no clue about the appropriate use of cell phones either. I've been in a multitude of business meetings where people have not silenced their phones, only to be called by a wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, etc. to discuss trivial stuff.

The same goes for being in church. One Sunday, SEVEN different cell phones went off during the service. Me? I usually set my phone to silent/vibrate as I'm walking up to the door. Even then, when the first phone goes off each Sunday, I find myself checking mine — just to make sure.
26 December 2007
at 10:56 a.m.

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salad (Anonymous) says…

“However, I'm not willing to give up my computers just to satisfy your desire to remain firmly planted in cement.”

Oooo…thanks for planting words in my mouth and making the bizarre quantum leap to banning computers?!?! If you think that computers and cell phones are the same thing, perhaps it's you, (un)-Informed, who is stuck in cement…that is your head…stuck in cement….up to your neck.
Do you seriously think cell phone are progress, and have made the world a more kindly and better place? Or that cell phones make students pay MORE attention in class? Cell phones are not progress, and just for the record:
Computers=good!!!
Cell phones=bad!!!
I'm certain that the devil has a controling share in T-mobile….
26 December 2007
at 10:57 a.m.

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teachks (Anonymous) says…

Informed-I agree. I have students that will have their phones go off in class and sometimes it's their parents. really??? You know your kid is in school, why do you need to call them? If my parent needed to get a hold of me they had to call the school. Perhaps we should come up with a test (much similar to obtaining a drivers license) in order to own a cell phone! HA!
26 December 2007
at 11:10 a.m.

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Informed (Anonymous) says…

Among other drivel, salad wrote:
“Computers=good!!!
Cell phones=bad!!!”

Yes, computers are good. Just ask the girl in St. Louis who killed herself after the PARENT of a classmate posted that the world would be better off without her — in an online blog. BTW, online means that she was using a computer.

I'm sorry you have such a hatred for cell phones.

No one has ever been helped by cell phones. No one has called 911 to quickly summons fire, med or police. The victims of Flight 93 did not use cell phones to say their final goodbyes to family. No. Cell phones fill no need in our world. Ever.

/removes tongue from cheek.

Advances in technology are wonderful. It is our responsibility to use them wisely, and perhaps even teach others to do the same. That shouldn't be such a hard concept to grasp.
26 December 2007
at 11:28 a.m.

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salad (Anonymous) says…

Wow (un)-Informed, you're truely clueless. Let me prove it, you said:
“Yes, computers are good. Just ask the girl in St. Louis who killed herself after the PARENT of a classmate posted that the world would be better off without her - in an online blog. BTW, online means that she was using a computer.”

You're suggesting that her computer killed her…or that the fact that she was using a computer killed her. How about, she was mentally unstable, because sane people don't kill themselves!!!
But you inadvertently help me with my point: all this text messaging, IM-ing BS is evil!!! Why? Because you don't have to confront the person, creating a more insular world where it's OK to be rude to anyone and fear no retribution.

You also said:
“Advances in technology are wonderful. It is our responsibility to use them wisely, and perhaps even teach others to do the same. That shouldn't be such a hard concept to grasp.”

I agree, that's why there should be no cell phones in school. That shouldn't be a hard concept to grasp….except probably for (un)-Informed….cause it apparently can't understand what it reads….and has it's head in cement…..ahhh…yep, that's all I got for now.
26 December 2007
at 11:51 a.m.

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storm (Anonymous) says…

This is your brain when you are studying and texting…

Why do you think 1/5 of Americans can't locate the United States on a map?

“I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education, like, such as in South Africa and Iraq and everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. or should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for us.”

Lauren Upton, South Carolina contestant in Miss Teen America contest, 2007
26 December 2007
at 11:58 a.m.

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Informed (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

26 December 2007
at 12:10 p.m.

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salad (Anonymous) says…

(un)-Informed, YOU'RE an @$$. Yes, I'd say it to YOUR face, but you're probably too busy talking on your damn cell phone and ignoring the people around you. You probably are one of those fine people who use it while you're driving too!!!
Yes, (un)-Informed, your post precisely suggested that the girls computer was responsible for her suicide. Maybe you should have an adult proof-read for you.
And no, I'm not prone to exaggeration, just the facts. I think a person like you is the poster child for why cell phones make people worse.
26 December 2007
at 12:16 p.m.

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Calliope877 (Anonymous) says…

I still get ticked off at people using their cell phones while driving…mostly because they don't drive very well. They either drive too d@mn slow and they hold up traffic, or they drive too d@mn fast and nearly run other people off the road.
There never seems to be a happy medium.:(
26 December 2007
at 12:41 p.m.

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snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…

This went straight to poo flinging.
26 December 2007
at 12:47 p.m.

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Informed (Anonymous) says…

Ooh, salad, you hurt my feelings. (not)

Really, your hatred of cell phones is just staggering… like you're probably doing right now.

Appropriate moniker, though.

salad = vegetable
26 December 2007
at 12:53 p.m.

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weirdalfan (Anonymous) says…

What is the official cell phone policy (ie—what happens if you get caught using one)? Is it just a detention? That seems kind of pointless. At some Shawnee Mission schools, it is a 3 strikes kind of rule:

1st offense = cell phone returned at the end of the day

2nd offense = cell phone returned after a parent has a meeting with the principal

3rd offense = cell phone placed in the school's vault until summer break, when the student can reclaim the phone

This is 3 times TOTAL for all teachers combined, not just 3 times per teacher. The rule is “not seen, not heard” meaning the student doesn't have to be actively using the phone. Just having it out (or ringing in the middle of class) is grounds for confiscation. Students aren't allowed to have phones out any time before 2:40pm, including before school and at lunch. Of course, a lot depends on the teacher who catches you. Many teachers will let students slide and not take the phone to the office, but once the phone makes it to the office, the rule is enforced to the letter.

Of course, there are also parents (and students) who just replace the phone if it is confiscated, too…
26 December 2007
at 1:05 p.m.

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Informed (Anonymous) says…

Right on, gl0ck. Especially the part about teaching kids how to use their phones appropriately.
26 December 2007
at 1:08 p.m.

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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…

“”I think it's an invasion of privacy,”

You're at school, so you don't deserve any cell phone privacy. I love how kids think they deserve to do anything they want, anywhere they want to do it. A good kick in the rear for them and their parents would be a good start.
26 December 2007
at 1:11 p.m.

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salad (Anonymous) says…

“Really, your hatred of cell phones is just staggering”

Not suprising really. When have we ever read a letter or editorial proclaiming how much more polite and sociable cell phones have made people. Back to the point…..
They don't belong in the class room!

“salad=vegetable”

Seriously…. that's it? That's all you got? No comeback with a point, just a futile attempt at wit? You fail (un)-Informed, you fail.

26 December 2007
at 1:18 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

Schools need to simply install cell phone blocking. Unfortunately that requires a change in current law. How ever, it is funny to watch people when you do this to them. They usually think signal was dropped, but when they realize they're blocked, they really go bananas. Secret is, don't let them know you did it.
26 December 2007
at 1:25 p.m.

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Informed (Anonymous) says…

“When have we ever read a letter or editorial proclaiming how much more polite and sociable cell phones have made people.” [sic] ?

When was that their stated purpose?

“They don't belong in the class room!”

Really? Tell that to parents and students (and teachers) the next time someone else goes crazy and decides to open up on a school.

“That's all you got? No comeback with a point…?”

Believe me, you're not worth the effort.

Oh, I'm sorry. That was great lacking in social graces.
26 December 2007
at 1:59 p.m.

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trinity (Anonymous) says…

wow, what on earth was salad's first post banned for?? i don't remember anything bad in it!

as for the topic at hand…after reading this and thinking about cell phones in schools, i'm reeeaaalllly glad that my kids are all older&out of school; there would have been absolutely no way that i could have given them phones when they were younger-nor would i have wanted to. single mom&all that kind of stuff. that would have been just one more damn thing that other kids had&mine did not.
26 December 2007
at 2:11 p.m.

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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…

my kids have cell phones, which are left in their lockers during school. I can text a message or leave a message without having to bother the office. My high schooler will call me during lunch if needed. I don't think teenagers have to have cell phones, but I feel better knowing they do have it for safety reasons.
(and I put my ringer on vibrate when I am at a game, play, theatre, etc. )
26 December 2007
at 2:23 p.m.

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compmd (Anonymous) says…

All cell phones have an incredible feature that people seem to ignore all the time. They can be turned off.

That being said, when I went to high school you could have a cell phone only if it was used after hours. Anytime else and you got a disciplinary writeup. That usually meant five one hour morning detentions, and if you offended again during those, you got a Saturday detention.

If a student finds that “she can't live without her cell phone” perhaps the parents need to step in and teach their child what she can and can't live without.
26 December 2007
at 2:27 p.m.

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windex (Anonymous) says…

Can't we just use common sense? If we're going to trust other people to educate our kids, can't we also trust them to deal with cell phones in school? People might abuse them in schools and on the road, but let's not throw the baby out with the bath water - they're sometimes useful and appropriate.
Situation #1:
Your aging mother calls you and says she isn't feeling well, so your 13-year-old son shouldn't walk over to her house after school. You call your son's student's cell phone during school hours (praying that son remembered to turn it off and that it isn't going to ring and get your son into trouble, even though son is so forgetful at this age that he still has to be reminded to brush teeth, shower and feed the dog) ) to leave a message that he'll need to ride the bus home instead of walking to grandma's house after school.
Situation #2:
You're a teacher. Your father-in-law is having surgery today and you consider taking a sick day to sit at the hospital with your spouse, but you hate to leave your students with a sub. You go to work but tell your spouse to call you on your cell phone as soon as father-in-law is out of surgery.
Situation #3:
The unthinkable, where there's an outburst of violence at school and staff and students are communicating with police via cell phone during the event…
26 December 2007
at 3:01 p.m.

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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…

Remember the old days, when parents just called the office to get a message to their children? All of these helicopter parents are creating weak and pathetic offspring. At some point, you just have to stop breastfeeding.
26 December 2007
at 3:20 p.m.

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domino (Anonymous) says…

Ashley,

We would like to inform you that the school has rules. They are made for a reason. When you break these rules, there are consiqunces that you will have to deal with because of breaking the rules. When you get a little older, you will still have rules, but they are called laws. You will still have to abide by them and if you breake these rules or laws there are still consiquences that you will have to pay if you break them. As far as feeling your privacy was invaded, if you were my child, you would have heard, more than once by this point in your life, that basically everything you have and own is because your parents have paid for it. We own and/or pay for the house you live in, the utilities you use, the phone and/or cell phone you use, your computer and the list goes on and on and on! We will respect your privacy, within the limits we feel as responsible parents we should. If we have a strong enough reason to feel we should, we will go thru your room, computer, vehicle and anything and everything else we feel necessary to keep you safe and insure you are being brought up to be a responsible adult and not being swayed by outside sources that could be potentally harmful to you. We would do this because we love you and we want the best for you, not because we want to shoop in your belongings. I know at this point in your life it is hard to understand, but hopefully someday you will.

Another cell phone kids mom

26 December 2007
at 3:29 p.m.

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Informed (Anonymous) says…

Thank you, domino. Well said. You sound like a great parent. Keep it up.
26 December 2007
at 3:56 p.m.

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Jean1183 (Anonymous) says…

Good post, domino!

I do agree that if cell phone etiquette was taught (and followed), then it wouldn't be a problem. However, as mentioned earlier, teens have to be reminded of just about everything. How are they going to remember on their own to turn their phone off or set it to vibrate?

That being said, my place of employment instituted a new policy of no cell phones on during business hours because of some employees' lack of etiquette. At the time, my son was in Iraq. I went to my supervisor and said, “I never know when my son is going to call and i will not miss his calls. I will be very careful to keep my phone on vibrate and if my son calls, I will excuse myself from the room to take the call. If this is not acceptable, then I need to give my notice now.”

I still have the job.
26 December 2007
at 4:02 p.m.

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spacystaci8 (Anonymous) says…

it should be ok during lunch or in between classes but other than that it needs to be in the locker. As a parent there are times when it would be good to make contact with your child. Not as a helicopter parent but if something important is going on. In class is a definite no-no.
26 December 2007
at 4:39 p.m.

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Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…

1. If you don't want your cell phone confiscated, don't take it to school.

2. If you take it to school, you no longer have any right to privacy.
3. If you don't want your parents to look at your phone records, move out and pay for your own phone service.
26 December 2007
at 5:07 p.m.

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trinity (Anonymous) says…

and where are you people getting that a school official *did* look through a student's phone?

sounds to me like a lot of people are just making excuses. again. so the little darlings can do whatever makes them happy; god forbid that they have a few moments of displeasure because they've been made to follow some simple rule!
26 December 2007
at 5:21 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

gl0ck0wnr
And exactly what are the odds of your scenario actually happening? Very close to absolutely zero. There are far too many people that firmly believe that they are infallible and can prevent any and all bad things from happening. Sorry, but real life doesn't work that way. These kids are only interested in texting their friends, cheating on tests, planning next party, etc. If such an event as you try to project happens, there is nothing you nor anyone else can do to change reality. Seems we have too many helicopter parents trying to protect and control their child's every act. Get over it, you can't. These kids need to learn exactly what the real world does and is. Rules are for a reason, deal with it. They shouldn't have absolute freedom to do anything they want.
26 December 2007
at 5:33 p.m.

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belle (Anonymous) says…

I know she's concerned about her privacy, but isn't this similar to the teacher reading a note that is passed in class??? I think she's just pulling the “privacy” card because she's mad that she got caught.
26 December 2007
at 6:51 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Were I a “teacher” on any level of education, I would advise my classes of the following:

(1) Cell phone use of any kind is prohibited in the classes which I teach.

(2) The first violation of the rule results in 1 week suspension.

(3) The second violation results in permanent suspension from the class and any associated programs.

(4) Any student under any kind of emergency situation in which it is beneficial to the student to carry a cell phone may submit a letter from the parents or other competnent authority indicating that such is the case. Such letters will be subject to verification and if verification fails, the above rules apply.

(5) Cell phones used by students during class for any unauthorised reason will be considered contraband and subject to seizure, to be given to the school administration for final disposition.

(6) Both the student and the parents or legal guardian of the student must sign and acknowledge a statement containing the above BEFORE entering any class for which I might be responsible.

You do not like my terms?

Don't come to my class; you are there to learn, not to screw around on cell phones.

26 December 2007
at 7:17 p.m.

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simplykristib (Anonymous) says…

domino,
Well said!
26 December 2007
at 7:19 p.m.

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frwent (Anonymous) says…

I do not own a cell phone. I will not ever own a cell phone. I do not need a cell phone. I have a message machine on my , whaddya call it now,……..oh yes….”Land Line”. Anyone who needs to get me before I am home knows where I work and can call me there. I do not like cell phones. They seem to bring out the most stupid, classless, clueless behavior in an awful lot of people. I do not want to hear your personal calls while standing in line at the grocery store. I do not want to hear you screaming at your kids on your plastic toy in the aisle at Wal-Mart. I can manage my life just fine without paying some “communication provider” for these annoying little bits of modern technology. And so can everyone else. But there is no use in banging my head against a wall, these little buggers are implanted on the ears of many normally sane people who cannot understand why some of us regard them as odd and annoying. But if you bang your car into someone else while blathering at your kids or your husband or your new squeeze, then you will take the consequences. I will just try to stay out of your way. I will spend my money on a regular ATT “land line” and get along just fine. Sorry Verizon!!
26 December 2007
at 7:33 p.m.

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weirdalfan (Anonymous) says…

I might point out that most classrooms these days have a telephone that can (if necessary) be used to dial 911 in case of an emergency. It's not like schools are banning cell phones in order to make the schools less safe.

I feel it is okay for students to *have* a cell phone at school so parents can leave messages; however, if it were my child, I would expect him to only listen to them after school. My child would be in BIG trouble from me if he answered my call during the day when he was not supposed to. If there was a *true* emergency, I would call the school directly and have them reach my child. Just because you can't reach your child 24-7 in the manner you prefer doesn't mean you are being denied access to your child. If your child needs to be contacted immediately, he/she will be contacted. If it is a non-emergency situation (ie-transportation arrangements) and you don't trust the school to deliver the message, then by all means, leave a message on the cell phone. Just don't expect him/her to return the call until after school hours.

Texting your friends is not an emergency situation. If my child was caught doing that when he wasn't supposed to, he would deserve any punishment he received. I don't think administrators should look at information on confiscated phones, though, even if it is showing up on the caller ID. Even so, if my child was caught sending a text message this way, I would still support the school's punishment.
26 December 2007
at 7:57 p.m.

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hujiko (Anonymous) says…

The whole matter of privacy with these things is incredibly grey. While I was still in high school, I misplaced my phone in the lunchroom, and noticed it was missing during the next period. I simply went to the office and asked if they had it, and they told me to go to the resource officer's room. When I went in, he had the phone open, and was going through my pictures, and asked me to explain a picture with me and a bb gun. I guess this nut thought I was a demented killing machine and was going to take out as many people as possible, with plastic pellets. Simply put, I didn't get into any trouble, but people have no privacy in the schools. Best thing to do is not have anything “incriminating” on your phone, and toys count there too, because everything is so bleeping serious now a days. (this is before vtech too)
26 December 2007
at 7:59 p.m.

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KS (Anonymous) says…

The kids are minors. End of discussion.
26 December 2007
at 9:19 p.m.

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doc1 (Anonymous) says…

hujiko. The law doesn't shield your expectation of privacy on a lost item. How do you expect them to find out who owns the phone without going through it. He was probably trying to see if there were any pictures of the owner in there.

Another word. Cell phone Jammers in schools. Thats an easy cheap fix
26 December 2007
at 9:42 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

One word:

passwords.
26 December 2007
at 10:37 p.m.

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Bitterfalls (Anonymous) says…

Ban everything.

26 December 2007
at 11:39 p.m.

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Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…

A text message is the modern equivalent of a note. You pass a note, get caught, it gets confiscated and read. NO expectation of privacy exists. Rules are rules, break them and there are always consequences.
27 December 2007
at 4:53 a.m.

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labmonkey (Anonymous) says…

The world did fine without cell-phones for millenia and now everyone thinks they need them. I'm with beobatcher…although he is mistaken when it comes to the illegality of blocking calls. You do not need an active blocker, which is illegal. A passive blocker is legal and actually used in some universities, doctor offices, and churches. A company in Japan sells panels that block cell phone transmissions that can be put into or on walls.
27 December 2007
at 8:59 a.m.

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trinity (Anonymous) says…

i'm not necessarily in the “seize the phones” group; but i do think that if a student or hell, ANYbody in a workplace misuses the damn thing to the point they're disruptive then yeah, you lose your privilege/right/whatever to have them on you.

if young'uns are allowed whatever whenever MY way when they're kids, then how on earth do we deal with them when they become adults? there is increasing awareness of how young adults in the workplaces these days require much mollycoddling as opposed to firm expectations and carpet-calling-on whenever they require disciplinary action or simple guidance. yikes.

and yep i have experience with confiscated *goods* from my youth; i hope that nun has enjoyed those sets of “clackers” all these years!
27 December 2007
at 9:06 a.m.

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Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…

Of course the phone should be returned - to a parent.
I agree trinity, the kids are being taught by their parents that it is okay to break the rules if it fits their “agenda”. Some of these kids will break the law as adults, or be fired from employment for going against company policy. School administration has to keep the learning environment free of disruption, and yes, they have the policy to do that, policy which is upheld by law.
27 December 2007
at 9:54 a.m.

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trinity (Anonymous) says…

please read further on the concept of “separation of church and state”. it appears from your post that you don't fully comprehend it.
27 December 2007
at 1:15 p.m.

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hawklet21 (Anonymous) says…

Students' rights to practice their religion is protected. Since when is a cell phone or an ugly ass bandana a religious symbol? Bandanas are white trash and so not trendy, anyway.
27 December 2007
at 1:27 p.m.

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trinity (Anonymous) says…

no, you apparently do *not* comprehend the spirit behind “separation of church and state”. you're way off base.

you sound to me like the classic version of a whiner. no matter what, you *must* find something to b!tch about. plus you can't seem to differentiate between freedom of religious belief and downright tastelessness. too bad for you.
27 December 2007
at 2:29 p.m.

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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…

Enforcer is one of those parents who constantly leaves messages on her child's cell. I'm sure the reason why the office never gave her child the messages, is because Enforcer was constantly calling with non-emergency messages. Enforcer is one of those dreaded helicopter parents who makes teachers want to quit their jobs.

27 December 2007
at 2:51 p.m.

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HodgePodge (Erin Parmelee) says…

Helicopter parents? I've never heard that before!
27 December 2007
at 2:51 p.m.

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hujiko (Anonymous) says…

Confrontation-Hence the name enforcer, she obviously cannot let her kids live a little.

As for religion, nobody can control what belief a child has. This means, the child cannot be taught any faith in the school building, and, no religion can be forced upon the child. Without this, every child would be forced to learn religion, and I'm sure you would throw a fit if they made your child study any creed. The system in place allows children their right to express what the believe in, although it cannot be school sponsored.

Learn the facts behind separation of church and state before you act like you do. You'll see it works, even if people you disagree with are allowed their say.
27 December 2007
at 3:19 p.m.

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Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…

My, how the Journal World has fallen. I am shocked, shocked, that veiled threats, personal attacks and general BS unrelated to the stories is taking over the comments section. Mr. Cox should invite those who practice this methodology to start a blog, which is where this garbage belongs. Keyboard cowards should stop their slander and walk upright like real humans into the offices of those they seek to assault. Let us see how much “evidence” there really is. Ms. Gragg, a well-known child advocate and champion of justice, must make good on her claims, walk into the principal's office and demand the alleged bottle be turned over to the authorities and “let justice be done.” Go challenge the security guards while you are at it. It is correct that adult staff should be doing their jobs and not wasting time with techie toys on duty.

As for confusion about church and state, children may express their religious feelings and pray individually and in groups as they see fit. The test, just like in the cell phone discussion, is whether instruction is being disrupted. Banning use during the day, searching the phones' contents if there is good reason to believe they are being used in violation of school policy, and confiscating the phone or other device for a period of time are all well within the school's rights. Although he would lack the authority as an individual teacher to carry out much of his program, Mr. Lynn's comments are well-put. Students come to school to interact with the teacher, the curriculum's content and each other, not the cyber world.
27 December 2007
at 3:32 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

VOR:

Thank you for your kind comments!
28 December 2007
at 6:14 a.m.

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perkins (Anonymous) says…

I tend to give the school the benefit of the doubt in its policies regarding appropriate punishment/consequences of student behavior in the classroom.

I would be appalled at an administrator's snooping thru a confiscated cell phone unless there is something akin to a clear and present danger. Another topic for administrator/teacher inservice (or Wednesday afternoon) discussion.
28 December 2007
at 2:33 p.m.

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myhrmayd1 (Anonymous) says…

My son is allowed to use his cell between classes here in California and the highschool has no issues, the grade/middle schools even allow them between classes. If the phone rings or makes noise DURING class, then it is confiscated for the rest of the day.
The students here have 0 access to the campus phones. Parents cannot even leave messages for students unless its a death in the family. I must admit, I like having the freedom to send my son a text in the middle of the day if something comes up or have him call me if he is staying after for a meeting. Cell phones in school, at least for me, have lessened my stress level. I think its a great thing.
28 December 2007
at 2:44 p.m.

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Wilbur_Nether (Anonymous) says…

Are you all still on about this article? It is so five minutes ago….
28 December 2007
at 9:47 p.m.

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Lawrencereader (Anonymous) says…

Is anyone else tired of enforcers nonstop babbling about every subject in the news? According to her, she has personal information about everything that goes on in this town. Personal information and “proof”, or so she says. If she is as involved as she says she is in everything that goes on around here, you would think she wouldn't have time to spend all day making comments.

28 December 2007
at 10:42 p.m.

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Mkh (Anonymous) says…

Cell phones microwave your brain…especially those of young children.

Google: Electromagnetic pollution cell phones
29 December 2007
at 6:05 p.m.

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compmd (Anonymous) says…

Mkh,

So do radio stations. And the wifi card in your computer. And your cordless phone. And your garage door opener. And your car's keyless entry. And, and, and….

My friends Messrs. Coulomb and Gauss have a secret they'd like to let you in on, and it isn't “think of the children.”