Considering school shootings why can't they keep the cell phones in the classroom just put off to the side? Considering the bomb threats why can't they at least let the teacher pick up the cell phones in the classroom when they're all being evacuated? Considering nobody's doing anything about school shootings. Considering nobody's doing anything about school shootings. Considering nobody's doing anything about school shootings. Considering nothing's being done about mass shootings. Considering nobody's doing anything to prevent climate catastrophes. Considering nobody's doing anything to prevent climate catastrophes. Considering nobody's doing anything to prevent disasters. Considering nobody's doing anything to prevent school shootings, you know that the first time a cell phone could've prevented a death, but didn't because they were banned, this is not going to go well for whoever makes this rule.
go to a classroom. THAT DOES NOT WORK. I am a substitute. These teachers have tried EVERYTHING. The risk/benefit is so lopsided I can't believe we are even having this discussion. Kids do not need phones in class. there is an accessible phone in EVERY classroom in AMERICA
My local district just started a lock 'em up policy. They're issuing "pouches" to students that have a magnetic lock, and students are required to lock them up when they walk through the school door. Students retain possession of the phone and the pouch. The pouches can't be unlocked until students leave, with a special piece of equipment at the school door. It's essentially the same tech as shoplifting tags at Target and such. Admin seems to be pretty hard-core about it---they've outlined a policy where noncompliance gets you sent to the office for a phone call home.
What I find interesting is that parents are protesting, hard. And I do mean literal protesting, with signs and marches outside the district office. It'll be interesting to see how this works out over the school year.
As a substitute across many districts I can tell you, cell phones are the number 1 impediment to learning. And its not just the distraction. Its the cyber-bullying. Its the meet me in the bathroom right now. Its Im at the side door, let me in.
Unfortunately with school board decisions based strictly on risk of lawsuit (hello? they ALWAYS settle) I'm not optimistic that they will NOT put the responsibilty squarely on teachers to have a policy and as you brilliantly point out, whatever policy they have will necessarily go to the wayside or they spend the entire period trying to enforce it. EVERY classroom has a phone. The risk/benefit is so lopsided I can't believe that policy will be based on the few parents who complain. But it will. But that's pretty consistent with how boards/sups make decisions. The crybabies always win. Thanks for covering this extremely important topic
I will say: I've always worked in schools with no cell phone policies (they have to be off and in lockers), and as long as the whole staff is more or less on board it goes pretty smoothly because the whole school culture is "I guess we at least need to keep this hidden." Obviously admin sometimes needs to get involved, but those are usually with students who get defiant, but they're getting defiant with or without phones.
Considering school shootings why can't they keep the cell phones in the classroom just put off to the side? Considering the bomb threats why can't they at least let the teacher pick up the cell phones in the classroom when they're all being evacuated? Considering nobody's doing anything about school shootings. Considering nobody's doing anything about school shootings. Considering nobody's doing anything about school shootings. Considering nothing's being done about mass shootings. Considering nobody's doing anything to prevent climate catastrophes. Considering nobody's doing anything to prevent climate catastrophes. Considering nobody's doing anything to prevent disasters. Considering nobody's doing anything to prevent school shootings, you know that the first time a cell phone could've prevented a death, but didn't because they were banned, this is not going to go well for whoever makes this rule.
go to a classroom. THAT DOES NOT WORK. I am a substitute. These teachers have tried EVERYTHING. The risk/benefit is so lopsided I can't believe we are even having this discussion. Kids do not need phones in class. there is an accessible phone in EVERY classroom in AMERICA
I wouldn't set foot in a classroom. They're disease spreading locations prone to getting shot up.
🤣
laugh, but she's not wrong.
My local district just started a lock 'em up policy. They're issuing "pouches" to students that have a magnetic lock, and students are required to lock them up when they walk through the school door. Students retain possession of the phone and the pouch. The pouches can't be unlocked until students leave, with a special piece of equipment at the school door. It's essentially the same tech as shoplifting tags at Target and such. Admin seems to be pretty hard-core about it---they've outlined a policy where noncompliance gets you sent to the office for a phone call home.
What I find interesting is that parents are protesting, hard. And I do mean literal protesting, with signs and marches outside the district office. It'll be interesting to see how this works out over the school year.
As a substitute across many districts I can tell you, cell phones are the number 1 impediment to learning. And its not just the distraction. Its the cyber-bullying. Its the meet me in the bathroom right now. Its Im at the side door, let me in.
Unfortunately with school board decisions based strictly on risk of lawsuit (hello? they ALWAYS settle) I'm not optimistic that they will NOT put the responsibilty squarely on teachers to have a policy and as you brilliantly point out, whatever policy they have will necessarily go to the wayside or they spend the entire period trying to enforce it. EVERY classroom has a phone. The risk/benefit is so lopsided I can't believe that policy will be based on the few parents who complain. But it will. But that's pretty consistent with how boards/sups make decisions. The crybabies always win. Thanks for covering this extremely important topic
I will say: I've always worked in schools with no cell phone policies (they have to be off and in lockers), and as long as the whole staff is more or less on board it goes pretty smoothly because the whole school culture is "I guess we at least need to keep this hidden." Obviously admin sometimes needs to get involved, but those are usually with students who get defiant, but they're getting defiant with or without phones.
No. Get the school shootings to stop and then we can talk about it. But until then? They keep their phones.
And I don't have children in school. But I do have a heart.