topic Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom in Community Chat

Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

Twins Mom — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:04:35 GMT

Do you want your child using his/her cell phone in the classroom? (explanation: they can have it in their backpack but not on their desk, in their hands, or in their pockets. They can use the cell phone as a research device for on-line research if classroom computers not being used.)

How do you picture a high school classroom when students have easy access to their cell phones?

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

Noel7 — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:09:53 GMT

@twins mom wrote:
Do you want your child using his/her cell phone in the classroom? (explanation: they can have it in their backpack but not on their desk, in their hands, or in their pockets. They can use the cell phone as a research device for on-line research if classroom computers not being used.)

How do you picture a high school classroom when students have easy access to their cell phones?

I think it depends on the class and if they follow the rules. We’ve heard about students calling parents when there has been a school shooting. I assume those kids were trustworthy.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

on the bay — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:15:48 GMT

I too think this all came about so students can call their parents in case of emergencies and the many lock downs, school shootings all those horrible things.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

kitcat51 — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:19:39 GMT

My granddaughters had their phones with them in middle school & now in high school with out any problems, they simply follow the rules. Really isn't a big deal.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

missy1 — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:20:05 GMT

Mine takes it to school. They can't play on them during class time.

Mine uses it to call me from school.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

Twins Mom — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:26:48 GMT

Let me rephrase: students are allowed to carry in their backpacks, pockets, etc but instructed not to have out in sight. They are accessible for emergencies. Rules are established but many times it is left up to teacher to enforce. Schools sometimes establish school-wide rules.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

Bri36 — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:26:56 GMT

I don’t have a problem with it. As long as they aren’t texting or using social media during class, it’s fine with me.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

AmericanBulldogMom — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:31:13 GMT

Just this year, the HS has said the kids can still bring their cell phones to school, but they are not allowed to use them during class (just in between classes and lunch hour). Each kid is assigned a google chromebook to use at the beginning of the school year, so the use of phones for internet is not necessary.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

jaxs mom — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:33:26 GMT

I homeschooled and don't have an issue with cell phones.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

on the bay — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:34:56 GMT

Even 15 years ago and more, my daughters had cell phones in high school and thats when I finally got one so I could communicate with them anytime we needed to. They both had after school activities and let me know when they were done so I could pick them up.

It was so good to be able to keep in touch with her.

My oldest daughter had several school bomb threats back then. But I often didn't hear about it until later.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

Desert Lily — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:39:40 GMT

My SIL and next door neighbor are teachers. Students have had phones in the high school and middle school classrooms for years. My child carried his phone to school since 6th grade and graduated high school in 2011. They use them for research, to look up vocabulary, check grades that are all online and have been for years, lessons, etc. My neighbor works at a google school, where every student has a Chromebook and 90% of materials and activities are online; students don't need to use phones then and their online access is controlled. There are no more dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc., even many school library books are electronic now. They can retrieve information instantly. The kids have their phones in the classroom but are not used socially.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

Carmie — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:41:27 GMT

In the school where I volunteer, elementary school kids have cell phones in the class rooms. They are allowed to have them and use them as long as they don’t Text, take pictures or record.

They are not allowed to take them outside for recess. If they do and get caught, the phones are taken and kept in the principals office and the parents must come and get them.

They text, record and take pictures often.. those rules are broken daily. They play games on them instead of paying attention or doing their school work. However, the recess rule is enforced.

They are also stolen and there are fights over them.

About 10 years ago, my cubical mate texted her HS daughters all day long, even while they were in class. I don’t know what the rules were at that school.

At my grand daughter’s elementary and middle school, no phone are allowed in the class room. They must remain in the lockers.

ALL of the students have school supplied IPads for use in the classrooms. I have no idea why they need phones. They are just distractions.

And I have noticed that some kids have expensive phones. They make fun of my Tracfone. Many get free lunch and come to school without a winter coat because they can’t afford one, but they have expensive iPhones. Their parents need a lesson in how to manage money. I Feel so sorry for those kids.

IMO, I think students at a HS level only should be allowed to have phone on their person as long as they do not use them during class. If they can’t follow the rules, they should lose that privilege.

Students at the elementary and middle school level should keep them in their backpacks.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

mac116 — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:44:45 GMT

I think it's fine for use at lunch, before and/or after school, etc. One of my colleagues texts her son and daughter throughout the school day. I don't think their High School has any restrictions on cell phone use.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

SahmIam — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 01:41:36 GMT

Our county sends home paperwork every year during high school that students and parents must sign regarding the use of cell phones in the school. They are allowed BUT with strict guidelines. By signing, both student and parent/s acknowledged that the first time you violate the policy, you LOSE YOUR PHONE. Meaning, the principle takes it and locks it away for 1 month.

ONE. MONTH.

I think it's great, lol. Understand that quite a few classes use the phone for assignments in and out of class; it amazes me what they do with them. Not having your phone can cause a student to miss quite a few assignments and there is NO excuse for not following the rules so....you get the grade you get; no extensions, no make-up work, nothing.

The kids may complain but the parents love it. It's working very, very well in our county.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

software — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 02:21:38 GMT

I'm OK with kids having cell phones in school.

Like everything else, including a dress code, rules must be followed.

There would be no school on the planet that would take my kid's phone away for a month, unless the school wants to pay the bill.

I worked in an office once where we couldn't use the company phone for personal calls and cell phones were forbidden. I flat out told the boss, you are not cutting me off from the world while I am at work. I either keep my cell phone at my desk or you allow me to make personal calls on the company phone when necessary. Using a cell phone for a personal call is better than tying up a company phone line. Of course an co-worker ratted me out. She ultimately got fired for a rules violation. I left on my own accord about a year later.

We live in a different world today.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

sunshine45 — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 03:22:27 GMT

my kids have been out of high school for 3+ years now.

they were allowed to have them in their backpacks and pockets, but they had to be turned on silent with no vibrations. they could not be used in the classroom or in the hallway or in the cafeteria.

if kids were caught using them they were confiscated by the teacher and taken to the main office. parents were then required to come in, and pick up the phones. they were not released to the kids.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

hopi — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 04:13:02 GMT

It's a no win situation for the school administrators and teachers.

You can't take their phones and many parents have total disregard of school rules and do more than their children to disrupt the educational process.

Sounds like the school is trying to do something to fit the current problem of everyone having a phone , no computer and the insistence of their child being able to carry their devices.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

Twins Mom — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 04:41:55 GMT

Subbing in this sophomore Language Arts class today prompted this question. Phone seems to be classroom policy, not school wide. The students used phones to access Cliff Notes for researbut some did very little of that. Must held them in their hands and tried sneaking in texts or on/line shopping. Going to the restroom? They wanted to take their phones but I made them leave their device. Students said mom texted so it must be important. I am a very trusting individual but order cannot exist with these distractions. Earlier this week middle schoolers (each having their own tablet) got off their projects to game, shop, surf) I walked around the classroom constantly and felt more like a spy than educator or facilitator. Yes, technology opens many doors. But rules exist everywhere and learning to follow them needs to be encouraged. Seeing how time was being frittered away was disheartening.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

sissel — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 05:06:07 GMT

Fast back 10yrs ago, my DD after school in the hallway school is done called me ,teacher grabbed it took away for 2 days I called school saying it's after school but in a school building they (those days) said no. She did get it back 2 days later but with now the bully & mean stuff the kids can record it and let parents see what is going on in class glad the kids can record things that aren't right and send it to local news. We don't know what happens in class now, glad they record mean teachers (not all are mean) but the few the kids know.

Re: Cell Phones in the High School Classroom

chrystaltree — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 05:13:36 GMT

I think if they have the cell phones in class, they are doing everything and anything with their phones....except using them for classwork. I don't what schools do now but my girls went to a private h.s. and cell phone were not allowed in class or any where else in school. They had to be turned off and kept in their lockers. Cell phones are such a distraction, I don't think that has changed. They have their laptops for classroom work.