Cell Phone Restrictions Reflect Misguided Priorities
Payton Shiver
September 8, 2009
Filed under Opinions and Views
Take this from someone who explicitly understands the consequences of actively using a cell phone during school. ISS isn’t exactly a walk in the park. You are taken out of classes for a full day, miss friends at lunch, and receive one bathroom break. I believe the punishment fits the crime. However, to completely take cell phones out of the hands of students and to be subjected to “random searches,” is something I would consider cruel and unusual.
“I don’t think it’s fair,” says Senior Andrew Shaffer. “The teachers used them more than we did…It’s not a distraction; the administration is just using us as scapegoats.”
Over the summer, while students were kicking back, the teachers and administrators were hard at work making our school a better place. Apparently, instead of attempting to better our education, district administrators are firing teachers, cutting classes, and creating a policy that completely restricts cell phone use, even by teachers.
“So we still have students who are unable to read and write, yet the district is concerned about teacher‘s cell phone use? Makes total sense to me!” comments Junior Haley Burleson.
Mr. Smith has said, “I think we need to remind ourselves that we’re going to school to get an education.”
Most programs are suffering due to lack of funding. Many teachers have been let go due to budget cuts. A few more of those were forced because they were just “too old.” The longer a teacher has taught, the more familiar he or she is with teenagers and their behavior patterns. Hiring a fresh-out-of-college teacher to maintain a high school classroom is a very unwise choice. Everyone knows how teenagers treat a new, young face: without respect, without remorse, and without mercy.
Freshman Amber Pack gave her opinion as well. “It’s just not fair. What if we need a ride home? Sometimes practices get out early, or the schedule changes, and we don’t have a ride because we don’t drive. What are we supposed to do then?”
Her friend Katy Dyches adds, “They can take them if they see them in your purse or pocket? That’s not cool.”
Our Student Code of Conduct says that “cellular devices must be left in vehicles or stored in a student’s locker.” They have been restricted while on the school bus, and athletes cannot have them before or during their match or game. This information can also be found on page twenty-one of the new agendas.
However, Mr. Smith has also said that the school is NOT responsible for cell phones which have been stolen out of cars or lockers.
“That’s exactly why my phone is sitting on my bed in my room,” states Senior Julie Deriso. “No one is taking it from me.”
Senior Peaches Cadwell disagrees. “It’s stupid. What if something happens at school, and word can’t get out quick enough? I mean, it’s a long shot, but think of Virginia Tech, or Columbine. If no one has a cell phone, how is anyone to know we’re dying in here?”
As absurd as it may seem, Peaches is completely right. It is worst case scenario, but completely plausible.
There are many other things our school should be turning its attention to instead of having such harsh cell phone rules. When students skip school, they receive three days of ISS. Now that is genius. Let’s take students out of class for not attending class in the first place. The dress code has been sadly overlooked in these first few weeks of school. Spaghetti straps and Soffe shorts? We have kids dropping out left and right because they have no guidance, or they simply feel that no one cares about them.
With teen pregnancies, drugs, pay cuts, seventy-nine page agendas, low program funds, and furloughs… The importance of banning cell phones simply crumbles in comparison.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
I think it should also be noted that you either risk having your cellphone stolen by not carrying it on your person and leaving it in a locker or a car, or you’re forced to use the office phone if you need to contact someone outside of school from the school.
Gotta love our brilliant school board.
[Reply]
this is really messed up. what if someone is getting beat up out side or something? how do people know what is happening? then the kid getting beat up or mugged or ect. won’t have a way to contact somebody for help! The school board should listen to our comments. And take them into consideration.
[Reply]
lanna Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I absolutely agree with Raven!!! this is possibly one o fthe worst ideas aien county has come up with. if ur failing class then yea dnt text but if ur gettin ur work done then so be it
[Reply]