Schools may crack down on cell phones 7/2/2009 1:09 AM
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
The Aiken County Board of Education has passed first reading on an updated policy intended to crack down on cell phone misuse in middle and high schools.
Once the policy gets final approval, students will be prohibited to have phones and related communication devices in their possession during school hours. They will have to leave their phones in their cars or in their lockers or other designated spaces while classes are in session.
Disciplinary actions for violating the policy also have been changed. In-school suspension will be given for the first offense (one day) and second offense (three days). A third offense will carry an out of school suspension and loss of privileges. A fourth violation will bring a recommendation of expulsion.
Previously, students could keep cell phones turned off in their bookbags during the school day.
Students at Ridge Spring-Monetta High School will be exempted from the new procedure, because the school has no lockers. However, the board and administration have asked new principal Mason Cummings to establish a plan for monitoring phone use violations.
The updated policy came out of the School Board's disciplinary committee, where board member Levi Green is a member.
"We felt it would be right to do this," he said. "It might sound like a big deal to parents until they realize what's really going on. This policy is fair to them and the kids and should drive down violations."
South Aiken High School principal Bryan Skipper applauded the proposed policy. When he was a young administrator in other district some eight years ago, he said, cell phones and their contracts were much more expensive and had limited services. Now pay-as-you-go and contracted phones are relatively cheap and have far greater technology advances, such as unlimited texting and cameras.
"We must have 100 (landline) phones in this school," Skipper said. "If a child is sick, has another problem, there is plenty of access. We'll get hold of the parents. If the parent has an emergency, we'll get the child to the phone."
The school district never intended for portable phones to be used during the school day, Skipper said. Parents advocated them, but primarily for after-school communication. Ironically, parents and other family members contribute to their misuse.
"It's mom and dad and they should know better," Skipper said. The problems overall emerged when he was an assistant principal at Aiken High School a few years ago and continued when he became principal at Wagener-Salley High School. At both schools, incidents or rumors in separate situations led to students calling their parents, who rushed to the schools and contributed to a panic.
It's difficult for teachers and other staffers to monitor phone use, said Skipper. Cell phones can be adjusted to silent/vibrate or use ringtones that older adults can't hear. Many students can operate their phones from a bookbag without looking or can use them in restrooms.
"The use of phones related to drug activity is still a problem," said Skipper. "We once found a phone that had information about making drug deals. No one claimed the phone, of course, and we turned it over to law enforcement."
The cameras that come with many phones create opportunities for cheating, the principal said. A good-quality photo can be taken of a test page and e-mailed to others.
"Cell phones are a day-to-day nuisance," said Skipper. "The assistant principals and I could spend the better part of the day dealing with them. There's also the issue with the theft of the phones. The kids want us to find them, and the parents get upset when we don't."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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Comment Title: aren't we on the same side?
In reading these comments it is abundantly clear that a great number of parents distrust teachers and the school district. As a teacher I have noticed an increasingly adversarial relationship between the school and families and feel quite disheartened by the situation. I honestly think that if all parents were mandated to spend at least one day a year at school with their child they would have very different outlook on public education. As teachers we deal with some incredibly stressful and at times dangerous situations. When was the last time someone brought a loaded gun to your workplace and then you were expected to work with that person in a nurturing way? Please work with the schools and remain our allies. We cannot function effectively if parents consistently undermine school authority and distrust our intentions. Please visit your kid's school and offer a hand to help out before you verbally trash us. We are in this together. And to the parent who complained about a teacher using her personal cell phone to call her, I would ask her to find out how many land lines her child's school has available. Mine has two and it is quite difficult to place calls out. If you don't want to hear from us, just let us know. If you do, please don't be surprised when I call from my own phone. I care about my students and want their parents to be informed about their status in my class.
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: Are you on the improvement committee or a part of the PTO/A?
Try to be, but also have to have a real job to earn a living & my experience with a certain southside elem school is that if you aren't part of the stay at home mom club,then you aren't truly welcome, or your opinions aren't respected at the PTO/ improvement councils. But mainly and most importantly, your kids get treated differently than their counterparts who have a parent who "volunteers/ helicopters" over their kid weekly. Based on the verbal abuse that my kid has shared with me that was dished out on him by a kid whose parent was there always "helicoptering"... yeah I need my kid to be able to call me without involving administration because even at the elem level they have set the stage for distrust both with my child & me. I am still waiting on specific examples of statements made and have gotten no response - both from the teacher & admin. Best part, my kid won't be there at that school next year!!! I have heard much better things about the other elem schools even though they are title 1 schools.
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: Concerned Parent
As a parent I do want my children to have a cell phone in school. I agree that rules and restrictions apply and I don't have a problem enforcing rules with my children. This is a different world people. When I went to school we only had fire drills....maybe a tornado drill once in a while. My children have LOCK DOWNS and drills for intruders. They actually practice hiding in the classroom! Yes I want my children to have their own cell phones at school.
Posted by: Aiken Charm On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: Give Me A Break
Ok, Seriously. This really burns me up even though I have already graduated from high school. I mean, how is anyone going to know if you have a cell phone in your backpack or not. They certainly can't search your stuff without a warrant to do so. And second, it wasn't long ago at all that I was in high school and I can promise you that a lot of the teachers don't even care or are not going to waste the time making a big deal out of nothing by taking disciplinary action against the person caught (if they get caught because trust me, these middle and high schoolers are smart with these things, trust me, I know). There are a few teachers who are strict followers of the rules, but then there are a lot more who are not that uptight. Guess who the more likable teachers are? And it was these more laid back teachers who I always learned the most from because I didn't fear for my well-being by walking into their classroom or sit there the whole time a nervous wreck, trying not to break the slightest rule. Bottom line is this, from my own personal experience, I learned a lot more when I was in high school while in a more relaxed, laid back, fun setting than I ever learned in an uptight, overbearing setting. Keep that in mind school board. You start being too overbearing on people that age, all you're asking for is to drive them away.
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: teachers and cell phones
I teach and I have my cell phone in my purse most of the time in the classroom (and on vibrate). I do not need my phone for personal reasons during the day. I did contact a parent during class one day on my cell phone b/c their child was not behaving and/or did not have their assigned work. I can NOT leave my students to make phone calls and I felt this was important to address right then and there. Therefore I have called a parent on my cell phone using my minutes to take care of their child. There is not a phone in my classroom and that parent did not have email. I wanted to address the issue right then, so I did what I felt was right. Not all teachers use their cell phones for personal use in the class...and on top of it all...WE ARE ADULTS AND DO NOT HAVE THE JOY OF DESK JOBS WITH PHONES RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. So, don't go bashing the teachers b/c we have cell phones on the job. Do you take yours to work? Is there some things you do that your child does not? Sometimes the rule "Do as I say not as I do applies."
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: Parents need to put more faith in the schools
Students do not NEED their phones in the classroom. The phones are not used for educational purposes; and students are in school to get an education. Parents need to trust the schools to keep their children safe. I have a question for the parents that are concerned about their children's safety? How involved are you in the school? Are you on the improvement committee or a part of the PTO/A? Have you really listened to the problems and safety concerns administrators have BECAUSE of cell phones? If you don't trust the school to keep your child safe, perhaps you should home-school your child or enroll him/her in another school. OR get involved! Parents are a missing link in today's schools; many want to complain when something isn't convenient for them but do very little to meet with educators and administrators to work out solutions. Students DO use their cell phones in class and in the bathrooms (really...if I was a parent, that is where I'd be concerned about safety, especially with the number of cell phones equipped with cameras and the increasing amount of sexting being reported). Students also call their parents in a panic over very minor issues, which sends parents rushing to the school in a panic. This creates more chaos and makes it difficult for the administrators and staff to assess the situation and handle it efficiently. Trust your children's educators and/or take part in your child's education!
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: Poor Aiken County Schools
You go to school to learn, first the schoolboard inept so-called educators SC State Dr.???? Get real educated people with some business sense, it ca not get worse.
Posted by: common sense On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: phones
If a student keeps their cell phone turned off in their bookbag and doesn't take it out except for a Columbine type situation then the student will never get in trouble and the phone will be there if needed. Bookbags won't be searched for cell phones. GEEEEEEEEEZ!!!!
Posted by: wu li ren On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: free
I wonder how many of the kids with cell phones are on free and reduced lunch.
Posted by: di yi lao shi On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: tudents and phones
I AM A CLASSROOM TEACHER AND LAST YEAR DURING EXAMS I CAUGHT A KID TEXTING WHILE TAKING HIS EXAM. HE REFUSED TO SURRENDER THE PHONE AND THEN CUSSED AT ME. I HAD TO USE MY CELLPHONE TO GET HELP. IF THE BOARD BANS PHONE USE BY TEACHERS THEY ARE PUTTING BOTH THE FACULTY AND KIDS IN DANGER. THEY WILL PROBABLY FACE LEGAL ACTION FOR THAT.
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title:
lol.....it is NOT a constitutional right to have a cell phone on government property i.e a school. Some of you folks need to go back to school and learn before you type or speak. It also isn't a constitutional right to be able to carry a gun into government buildings or smoke in government buildings. The property owner who is the government can make whatever rules they choose on their property. The unconstitutional point is when the government tells private property owners what they can and can not do on their own property.
Posted by: Cell phone approving Mom On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: Cell Phones are a parents decision
I have 2 children 1 in High school and 1 in Middle school. I have comfort knowing that they each have a cell phone in their pocket..These phones are off but are with them as I want them to be....My children choose not to use their lockers..This is their decision and I respect that.. As a parent it is my decision if they carry it in their pockets.. the rules are the same.. if they use them they lose them. It is not a school or district decision that they even carry them... the parents pay for these phones and the children follow our rules about the phone. Please focus on something more important.. We closed out the year with a Swine Flu alert and still no soap in the bathrooms... class sizes will increase...focus people..
Posted by: Harold Meizner On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: This is a great thing
Cell phones need to be out of the schools in terms of in the locker or in the car and not on the person...kids will always try to get away with something and you can see that a majority of what the administration has to deal with during the day are kids w phones. Just get them out. Leave them in the car or locker. There are many landline that if you need to reach a child it will be done and vice versa...can you believe that its the parents that are one of the major culprits to texting a child during the school day... Also, not mentioned, the kids go to the bathroom to talk on the phone or text...even the good ones...yes, your kid does it...Again, congratulation's Aiken county public schools on take a stand to agian make parents be parents and take the camp concept away from schools.
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title:
Worrying about whether or not kids can have cell phones in schools is why the School District is in dire need of change. Don't sweat stuff like badges, cell phones, etc...and concentrate on educating the kids and finding the money to best do that.
Posted by: aka none ya On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: cell phone usage
I dont have a problem with my kids not having their cell phones ICE if the teachers will cut theirs off and leave them in their cars!!! I got phone calls last year, not from the school itself, but from the teacher on her own personal cell phone..
Posted by: Deb On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS
I didn't even know that cell phones WERE allowed in schools. Students do not need cell phones. They are going to school to LEARN not talk or text on the phone. Look how many years people DID NOT have cell phones in the past. As far as emergencies, teachers have phones. Students don't have to call their parents in case of emergencies. What are the parents going to do in case of a Columbine incident...stand outside the school & WAIT for their child to come out? They can do that later like everyone else has done for years when something happens. The parents would not be serving a purpose by going to the school, except to wait. I personally would not allow my child to take a cell phone to school. The student does not NEED a cell phone at school. Don't worry parents...THEY WILL SURVIVE.
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: Needs Improvement
Shouldn't students be in school to LEARN, not to text one another & play games on phones? Could this be why Aiken schools are struggling and in dire need of improvement?
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title:
I whole heartly agree with you Concerned Parent! We had an emergency a few years back when my sister attended Aiken High School. It was chaos! The kids were at the football field. There was no order on how to pick the students up. They couldn't find anyone. There are more students that attend now. I pulled my child from this school. To many horror stories to count. I'm just glad I don't have to deal with this issue, but if I did, I would want my child's cell phone on her person in case something like Virgina Tech happening all over again.
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: Likes this!!!!
It would be fine IF these students WOULD keep the phones put away, but they are sitting in classes playing games , texting each other etc. One person said "why aren't the teachers eyes on the students" Are your eyes on your child every second he/she is at home...you have got to be kidding, right? Now that the ratio in a classroom is going to be higher ot is going to be even harder on the teacher's to keep their class in control. Have you ever went and sat in on your students class for a day? The teacher has a hard enough time trying to teach a subject in 50 min...because MOST OF THAT TIME IS TRYING TO GET SOME OF THESE SMART MOUTH KIDS TO SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET SO THE CAN TEACH....BELEIVE ME I'VE BEEN IN A CLASSROOM!!!! We didn't have cell phones when we were growing up in school, why do they think they GOT to have them now. My parents always got a hold of me if they needed me with out having a cell phone. So I say keep them out of the classroom!
Posted by: HDL On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title:
I agree, students should be allowed to carry their cell phones, if they get caught breaking the rules there is no excuse, expell them on the spot. Mom and Dad know the rules, students know the rules, problem solved.
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title:
It is not that difficult to catch those that are using cell phones. This is just another thing that kids have a chance to go up for expulsion for. I thought the school board was looking for ways to keep the kids in school and not expel them???? LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE!!! 99% of the kids shouldn't be punished because of a few.
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: Cell phones not needed
Teachers have cell phones in case of emergency. Students do not need to be in touch with people all day, which is what is happening. They need to be focusing on school, and learning. They all go to their lockers after school and can get their phones then.
Posted by: Concerned Parent for the safety of our children On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: Parents must take a stand !
As a parent of an Aiken High student, I am very upset that the schools are trying to keep my child from having a cell phone in a book bag. This clearly shows that the school officials are not doing their job with the "few" who spoil it for everyone. We need the Aiken Standard to let us know when the next school board meeting is so that the parents can show up and let our voices be heard. What happened when the kids were running for their lives at Virginia Tech last year???They used their cell phones to alert law enforcement as to the location of the psyco kid shooting everyone. Is this going to happen with cell phones locked away in a locker or car. My kid does not have a car and his locker is located on the far side of the school. Parents please join me in fighting this idea of keeping cell phones locked up. The idea of this is just a cop out for the administrative folks who just don't want to deal with the issues everyday.
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title:
This is bogus! So what if one of Aiken County school's has an incident like Columbine? How are students going to notify worried moms and dads? It is a person's constitutional right to have a phone...deal with it people!
Posted by: On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title:
What is the teacher doing if a student can pull out a cell phone, take a picture of the test and then put the phone away again? Shouldn't their eyes be on the students? I think this is a cop out. I think you don't want inappropriate behavior to be caught by taking a cell phone picture.
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