Cell Phones Banned in School
By
Brad Belote
Story Created:
Feb 27, 2008
Story Updated:
Feb 28, 2008
The Stockton School District is tightening its no cell phone policy to keep the technology out of teens’ hands during class.
The district says a new, more specific policy with harsher penalties will start next school year.
Stockton Superintendent Vicki Sandberg says, “Teens are very dependent on their phones. It is like their second hand.”
Freshman Boroc Wolfe agrees, "I know a lot of people that think ‘Oh I'll die without it.’"
Junior Chuine Sharkey says, "We're pretty attached. It's kind of pathetic."
Stockton students will have to learn to live without.
As soon as the bell rings in Stockton's new high school next school year, a stricter no cell phone policy will be enforced. Under the new policy students will have to turn off their cell phones and they must be kept inside the student’s locker. They can not be taken out during the school day. They can be used during after school programs, including sporting events to coordinate a ride home.
The district says its current no cell phone policy is abused by students. Currently they are allowed to carry the phones in purses or book bags as long as they are off.
Sharkey says it pretty easy to get around the current policy. He says, “The girls are always reaching in their purses, pretending to be looking for something. I just sit to the left of a teacher and text without them ever knowing.”
The superintendent says the policy is a proactive approach to prevent more serious problems. Sandberg says, "Cell phones are used to bully, they're used to take inappropriate pictures, they’re used to cheat on tests." The real test will be if in school suspensions or out of school suspensions are threatening enough to keep the cell phones inside lockers. Wolfe says, "I think some people will try to bring them anyway." Sandberg says, "We can't check every student and we are not going to check pockets but hopefully they'll realize the punishment is quite stiff."
New Policy Punishments
1st Semester
-1st Offense- 1 day detention
-2nd Offense- 1 day of ISS
-3rd or more Offenses- 1 day O.S.S.
After 1st Semester
-1st Offense- ISS
-2nd Offense- 1 day OSS
-3rd Offense-2 days of OSS
-4th- Offense-3 days of OSS
ISS- In school suspension
OSS- Out of school suspension
*In each case, parents must pick up the phone
; "Click for StormVision Doppler Radar")
Monday, May 12 at 2:20 PM k wrote ...
i agree.
Thursday, Apr 17 at 8:54 PM Katie wrote ...
They should be because of a emergency.
Wednesday, Apr 9 at 11:09 AM abbey wrote ...
The kids should be able to have cellphones in school. There is no problem with them in school.
Friday, Mar 14 at 9:31 AM Andrea Johnson wrote ...
I believe cell phones should be banned in schools. Cells phones are only another source that (We) the students can cheat on test. Cell phones can be a way to hurt people also through picture mail expossing thing others dont want to be seen
Thursday, Mar 13 at 7:29 AM Anne wrote ...
I work at a school and you see kids with their cell phones all the time. If a kid has an emergency they can go to the office and ask permission to use their phone. If parents have an emergency such as a death wouldn't it be better to let the student know in person rather than a phone call or text. I agree that teachers do not need their cell phones on either. Do you let your child text or talk on their cell phone during church?
Tuesday, Mar 11 at 2:02 PM Erica wrote ...
I feel that cell phones should be allowed in schools.as long as the kids are not talking on the phone in class then what is the problem.I see it this way...iF students want to text the whole time in class instead of listening then that's on them...let them fail the course...then when their parents ask why they are failing then you tell the parents that their teens choose to text rather than listen and learn. They will get it sooner or later.
Tuesday, Mar 4 at 7:11 PM Steffy wrote ...
I see this rule from both sides, but i got 3 days of ISS last week because my mother had an emergency in the family and i was trying to find out if everything was okay so i texted her at lunch. Students need cell phones for emergencies and if there using it to talk to there friends then they should get ISS but not for a family emergency!
Thursday, Feb 28 at 10:34 AM SHS Parent wrote ...
Parents need to have faith in our school district that their children are safe at school. What did you, as a parent do when you were in school 20 years ago WITHOUT a cellphone? Times have changed alot, especially the students in HS. Students have lost respect for rules and will do whatever it takes it to do what THEY want. This is a great start. stay strong!Rule and Respect start at HOME.
Thursday, Feb 28 at 10:16 AM Joe Daues wrote ...
These are all insightful comments... it makes me question something I took for granted... At first I thought they didn't belong at school... now I think there IS a place for cell phones at school. But also as a teacher, I think they should not be available during class. Listening to parents concerns and some of the safety reasons FOR cell phones in school, I would like students to be able to have phones with them during the day, just not have access to them while class is underway.
Thursday, Feb 28 at 1:03 AM fred wrote ...
Hang up and get to work cell phones are not allowed in many work places. You do not need them at school. This should apply to teachers as well.
Wednesday, Feb 27 at 10:35 PM Nathan Lounsbury wrote ...
My name is Nathan I am a student at Stockton High. The no cell phone thing is crazy! If something happen to someone cell phones are the quickest way to get help. I am a first responder and I am on Capilinger Mills Voulenteer Fire Department. So by me having my cell phone allows me to get help faster. Or say something happen to my parents thats the only way i would find out. I do see both sides of the story too. If the student is disturbing class or not paying attention then take the phone away.
Wednesday, Feb 27 at 10:08 PM Robbie wrote ...
I think it is important for students to have phones. Say a girl got raped and went to the bathroom to call a parent or 911. What if you have a family emergency and need your child. They are in a different class room for some reason no one knows for sure. I call my daughter at school if I need her to call me at her first opportunity. I call 4 or 5 times in a row if it is an emergency. I think they should be kept out of sight. Students should be punished if not. Theft will rise if lockers
Wednesday, Feb 27 at 5:22 PM Richard R. Kutz wrote ...
Our school has not and will not allow cell phones outside of their locker.Texting,& ringing to disturb class is not necessary. As a teacher I am glad to see our administration enforce this rule. If we see it, it goes to the office. Students do not want their cell phones sent to the office on Friday, especially, and Principal not being available to enforce discipline that day and the phone being held in the office until Monday.Students learn this rule very quickly.
Wednesday, Feb 27 at 4:46 PM angie wrote ...
What I wonder is if they are having the problems listed above bully, inappropriate pictures and cheating? She say they are being proactive so to me that would be a no to that question. Just because those things are happening across the nation doesn't mean they will happen here.
Wednesday, Feb 27 at 4:43 PM van wrote ...
AT FIRST I WAS FOR BANNING CEL PHINES IN SCHOOL, BUT THEN THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT GOES ON IN THE SCHOOLS LATELY WITH ALL THE SHOOTINGS THINK IT IS IMPORTMENT TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE.
Wednesday, Feb 27 at 4:43 PM Shirley wrote ...
I understand your thinking, but I do believe that a 911 call was placed by a student during a school shooting. A cell phone could be the difference between life and death. Just a concerned citizen that is looking at both sides. Which outweighs the other?
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