Cell Phone Wars

Cell phones. Can't live with 'em; can't live without 'em. What's a teen gonna do?

Last year students were told to leave their cell phones in their locker or turn them off, but the habit of being connected and having a toy in class was so addictive they felt bare and vulnerable without them. So, when the phones went off in class or students were caught texting in class, phones were taken away and then given back at the end of the day.

An old fashioned rap on the knuckles. Did no good whatsoever.

This year, we were ready for 'em. Brought out the BIG guns, so to speak. The new policy was distributed to parents when they registered their kids in August: Phones would be taken away and kept for one week after first confiscation, and two weeks for the second, etc.

And, you know what? It worked. I didn't see a cell phone in my class at all. That's not to say there weren't some stealthy, inside the sweatshirt pocket texters out there somewhere, but---what a relief. I could teach without phones beeping or buzzing or distracted texters hiding phones in pockets, behind books, or up their sleeves. And, kids were still allowed to use them in our commons area before and after school and during lunch.
What a deal!

There was peace in the classroom, until---some "parents" began to whine when their kids had their cell phones taken away for a week. Duh. They knew the policy. But, they argued: "What if my kid were in an accident and couldn't call home? Would the school be responsible? My response? "Parents: you want your kid to keep the phone? Take the blasted thing away before he or she comes to school."

I do not get parents who continuously make excuses for their kids. Kids already make enough excuses for themselves without any help. Shouldn't we all be teaching them to live with the consequences of breaking rules? Shouldn't we be teaching them that it is rude, inconsiderate and distracting to have a cell phone on during class time?

I guess I should't be surprised. Last year, the reason the cell phones were going off a lot of the time is because their parents were calling them.

Many critics say schools are not doing their jobs of educating. But, schools cannot do their jobs if parents aren't going to do theirs, or if parents do not support school policies.