Tough rules didn't stifle cell phone use at Beach schools

VIRGINIA BEACH

This past school year, Beach high school students faced an in-school suspension for using or even showing a cell phone during the school day.

The no-excuse policy was supposed to cut back on classroom distractions. But just as in each of the previous four school years, when a first incident led only to confiscation of the phone, the number of violations jumped by the hundreds.

"We were hoping the mere thought of suspension would have a greater effect," said Hazel Jessee, assistant superintendent for high schools. The high schools have 22,898 students.

She said the policy has had positive results, though. Teachers appear to be reporting more violations, and enforcement is more consistent in each school, she said.

There were 3,731 reported cell phone violations during the just-finished school year, including 426 second infractions, 57 third infractions and seven fourth infractions.

In 2003 there were 735 cell phone violations in all of the city's high schools. The increase has been more than fivefold.

Some students have complaints about the policy.

Blake Brown, 17, said many of his friends at First Colonial High School ran afoul of the new rules this past year.

"You get in trouble whether you are in class or not," he said. "In class, out of class, in the cafeteria, in the courtyard." As a result, he said, students text or place calls from the rest-room.

Brown said he agrees with banning calls in class: "You're there to learn." But it's impractical to expect the school office to process every student call, he said.

His phone was taken away this year when he answered it in the courtyard. It was his mother, who had a message about a doctor's appointment.

His mother, Shirley, said the phones provide too much temptation - for students and parents alike.

"I would do it again because it's an alternative I have," she said of calling her son in school. "It's in his pocket, and I know I can talk to him directly." Her proposed solution? "I don't think they should have cell phones in school."

Jessee said she wouldn't consider such a drastic stance.

"Saying cell phones shouldn't be in a person's life is not a reasonable thing. I'd like to use them productively."

For example, teachers could text assignment reminders to students. But that idea is years off, she said. "We have to get students to a place where they can be responsible users."

For now, students in the first generation to grow up with cells are grappling with how technology fits into their lives.

Ron Heh, 17, who will be a First Colonial senior this year, said the Beach's blanket policy is too harsh. He said it isn't distracting to students when others check their phones for messages a few times in a class. The real disruption is when a teacher stops class to confiscate a cell phone, he said.

"That's more distracting than the kid in back texting on his cell phone," he said.

Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com.