The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Middle school students in the public schools are not allowed to carry or use cell phones. That could change if the board adopts a proposed policy change tonight.
Under the proposed changes, middle school students would be allowed to use cell phones before and after school, which is the current policy for high school students.
The repercussions for violations by middle schoolers would be slightly less severe than in high schools. Elementary students would still be banned from using or carrying cell phones. The policy change would also specify that students who carry cell phones in school are consenting to searches of the phone’s contents when reasonable suspicion exists.
“Times do change,” said School Board chairman Dan Edwards, and many parents expect to be able to reach their middle school students on cell phones before and after school.
The meeting will be held at 6:15 p.m. at the School Administration Building. In a workshop after the meeting, the board will hear a report on how to increase the efficiency of bus routes for academy students. Board members were upset to learn earlier this year that some activity runs for academy students carry only a few pupils.
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They should have them for their protection...
With out a phone anymore they have no way to call you.. and with everything that goes on in the school systems they need one.. It is not hurting anything. you can give them the same rules as high school they are not to be out.. and for all of you who do not agree.. hey here is a thought don't give your kid a phone.. or if you give your child a phone and don't think it should be at school then hey make them keep it home..
Keep them out!
Before and after school,Yea right.Keep them out!
About Time
This is the best news yet. I live a walk zone and without a cell phone my child would have not way to let me know she was in any danger if something were to happen. I make her take her phone to school anyhow. I have also told the principal the day the school puts my child on a school bus and does not require her to walk through a war zone is the day I make her leave her phone home. I was told next time she would do ISS... and I will appeal. She goes to high school next year. But great news for Middle School parents.
I COMPLETELY AGREE!!! My
I COMPLETELY AGREE!!! My daughter will be entering middle school in the fall and she will have a phone with her. My son is in High School and is in a walking zone and for one year already he turns is phone off as he approaches the school and when he leaves school he turns is phone back on. I am at work while he is walking to and from school and I do worry about his safety! I have some peace of mind knowing that he can call out if need be! BYE THE WAY... My son tells me it is not uncommom for teachers phones to ring (vibrate) during instructional time and to ACTUALLY ANSWER THEM!! or even TEXT, yes they are just as guilty. ONE MORE FUNNY THING, The last time I went into my son's High School I had my cell on my hip and the Assistant Principal walked by and told me I couldnt have my phone in the building! I looked at him and smiled and said "then take yours off your hip that is not a walkie talkie!"
Wow I remember when
Wow I remember when possession of a cell phone or pager was grounds for expulsion from high school. Ah, times change.
cell phones are part of the problem....
Far too many parents are using these things as their babysitters instead of being involved in their childrens lives. Kids need to go HOME after school and stay there doing homework. Instead they go anywhere they want until whatever time they please. Parents aren't in any hurry to get home after work [or where ever they're at] because they can call junior and juniorette from their cell phone! And then parents boo-hoo because their kids are picked up for truancy, breaking and entering, vandalism of private property, smoking dope, carrying a weapon...on and on. It all starts at home with the parents. If you aren't being a parent to your child don't be suprised at the often dismal outcome of your failure to be responsible for what you brought into this world.
Pandora's Box
As a teacher in the Portsmouth school system, I have seen what a disturbance cell phones can be in the classroom. Why on earth does a student need a cell phone? (I graduated within the last 15 years) I just don't understand why children need phones at school. Try enforcing a cell phone policy where the majority of children have them in class. Yes, I know that the policy said that the phones will be turned off durning school hours. How many time have you been in a restaurant/movie theater/or any place where a cell phone would be restricted and hear one go off? Most of the time it's coming from an adult, not a child in high or worse off middle school. If kids need to call home after school then maybe there needs to be some way for them to get in touch with their parents.......Oh, that's right. Corded phones. If this is not the answer then at least have a cell phone jammer in each school. Court houses don't let cell phones in the building, why should the school system?
I bet all of you teachers
I bet all of you teachers have yours with you! Ever think about these kids walking to and from school. Do you have kids? THAT'S RIGHT, ONCE THE BELL RINGS IN THE AFTERNOON THEY ARENT YOUR PROBLEM ANYMORE. My son has a 15 minute walk home everyday. I have seen the fights and guess what,even a murder of a young high school student that got stabbed to death on his way home from school as he was defending his sister right out in the middle of my son's now route home from school.