Cell Phones, Part III

For the past year, the district has had to address issues of cell phones: the use by students, as well as cell towers now located on the campus’ of many schools.

At least cell towers generate money for schools and classrooms. Cell phones used by students seems to generate little more that classroom distractions, out-right cheating, sometimes sext-messaging, or perhaps cyber-bullying.

In my old days in school, kids secretly passed notes. Today, kids can text each other under any table---without looking. And from what I’ve observed, the new student cell phone policy is not working. The following are two examples.

I know of one district secretary who, in the course of any normal school day, texts or calls her 13 year old son constantly. And constantly, her son texts or emails back. I know an administrator who has the same electronic relationship with her 12 year old daughter. Do you see a pattern here?

I say the following here with the understanding that, one, I’ve used a cell phone once only for legitimate working purposes, and second, my cell phone is usually in my glove compartment with a dead battery.

Though I hate cell phones, I sure wish I invented them and received a royalty for each sale or call. Who’d a thought people had such a capacity to gab, to converse, to yak about minutia.

And let’s admit something else: cell phones usage is a learned experience, taught by adults. Kids don’t grow up with IPhone implants; parents buy cell phone for their children…and teach them how to use the darn things.

And Now For the Bad News:

My example above about two district employees calling their kids is not solely about students. What about the lost concentration and productively of two district employees?

I’ve been in meetings when cell phones ring and educators answer them to talk to a spouse or neighbor. I’ve seen custodians walking a campus on their cell phones, I’ve seen and heard security guards talking to their wives or others on cell phones. I not confusing professional business here. I talking pure personal conversations….constantly.

The district has a stringent policy to police student cell phone usage. It needs to be enforced to the hilt every day.

Superindendent Elia and the Board must now create a stringent cell phone policy for employees at every level. ASAP! Spread the word! Git er done!!!

For the Hillsborough School District to remain great, teachers and students cannot be distracted, and, all manner of support staff, from district supervisors, school principals, as well as staff assistants, must lose their cell phones.

Don’t count on adults doing the right thing!

posted by admin @ 5:49 PM