Banning Cell Phones in Milwaukee Schools

[Affair on Touhy Ave.]

I heard this on the news and while I probbaly shouldn't be all that suprised I was at the fact kids were allowed to have them in the first place.

I remember how when I was in schools they didn't want kids bringing stuff like radios and I'm sure there are a few here older than I am who went to school at a time when things were more strict such as dress codes and I'm sure they wouldn't have allowed kids to bring cell phones and other such things to school if they had existed back then.

So since when did school districts go so far to allow students to bring their cell phones to school?

[Auburn Annie]

Some schools allow students to bring them to school as long as they aren't turned on. They aren't allowed in classes during tests, of course; then they're either kept in lockers or brought up front to the teacher's desk until the student leaves the classroom.

I think a combination of the ubiquitousness of cell phones plus their usefulness in emergencies has led to relaxing the ban on them in schools and other places. Not all places do allow them, of course. I suspect they're much more disruptive in middle schools simply because of the immaturity of the students, and barely an issue in elementary grades.

[Auburn Annie]

Eleven is too young, period. We only got a cell phone for our home about 18 months ago, for travel. As the plan offered a two-for-one deal, we let our then 16 year old use the non-photo cell phone. She dropped it once (no harm done) and has gone over her minutes only a couple of times, usually due to messages she receives, not sends. It was invaluable when she had last minute changes in her after-school schedule which had her shuttling between her classes at the high school and work at the middle school (she's been lighting director for the middle school annual play for the last 2-3 years.)

Our school district policy does not directly address cell phone use; it's covered under other possibly disruptive, distracting behavior. Cheating with a cell phone is treated the same as cheating with notes up your sleeve or written on your palm etc. Theft of a cell phone is treated as theft of any other student item. The behavior, not the technology, is addressed. So far, it works, at least as far as high school students go. Can't say it's the same for middle school but I expect there are fewer students who have them, so far. At any rate it's still a newish phenomenon which will shake out over time.

[Gitchigumee]

I have 2 kids in school, one in middle school and one in high school. My middle schooler uses a "shared/family" cell phone when she's not at home, but she does not bring it to school. My son has his own cell phone, pays his own bill, etc. He always has it with him, even at school, although turned off while in school or at least the ringer turned off. I sometimes need to text message him or leave him voice messages that he can check after school is out. It's so convenient, and again, for safety reasons, I'm glad I can reach him when I need to, and that he can call me anytime if he needs me, even between classes or at lunch during the school day.

[Auburn Annie]

There's an article in today's Toronto Star on cellphones in school; the Toronto school system is debating the very topic.

The last paragraph sort of puts another light on it: "...not all students would mind cutting their parents off the cellular apron string. One Grade 12 student at Northern recently answered his cellphone during class, only to hear his father on the line.

While the class watched, he listened to his father announce the menu for that night's supper: Beefaroni.

That night, the 17-year-old imposed his own cellphone ban – to his father: No calls during school."

LOL

[Cathy]

What ever happened to the good old fashioned pay phone that we used to call home with? "Hey, Mom. I'm done band practice. Can you come pick me up?"

Gee, we weren't even allowed to use calculators in math and physic classes.

[Jesse Joe]

The times they are a changing, Cathy. :D

In the near future, people will be asking, what was a pay phone? :redface: :rolleyes: :)

[Auburn Annie]

There are very few pay phones left, and forget phone booths. My daughter used to have to go to the office and ask to use a desk phone, which is not possible after hours when the offices are locked up. At the middle school there's a pay phone out on the road in front of the school, but I'd be leery of having a child using a roadside pay phone at night.

[charlene]

Originally posted by Cathy:
What ever happened to the good old fashioned pay phone that we used to call home with? "Hey, Mom. I'm done band practice. Can you come pick me up?"

Gee, we weren't even allowed to use calculators in math and physic classes. Exactly Cathy! Lisa takes quarters with her and makes calls between classes etc. and can talk for as long as she wants without worrying about the cost of minutes or a battery dying. If she doesn't have a quarter she borrows one or asks to use the office phone. Nobody has ever denied her.

True emergencies need cell phones sometimes...they can be life savers for sure...other than that they are just for convenience for the user and a pain in the arse for everyone else around who has to listen to the mindless yammering that goes on all around us these days.

I have heard so many inappropriate LONG phone calls on my hour long ride on the GO train to and from Toronto I lost count.

Only once have I ever encountered a person who used their phone and spoke quietly for a few moments...then as they were saying goodbye they told the person on the other end that they were hanging up because they felt it was rude to inflict her conversation on other passengers on the train. Several of us gave her a thumbs up when she said that!

Too bad the fellow in the restaurant didn't feel the same way, or the guy in line at Sears, or the woman recounting her hot date in graphic detail etc.etc.

It's quite amazing how disrespectful people of all ages can be when it comes to their use of cellphonesbluetooth phones when out in public. This goes for dangerous driving while using a phone as well. Yapping away about nothing while endangering others doesn't seem to phase people..hands free is just as bad...too much concentration on the conversation and not enough on the traffic/pedestrians. I dont' drive but being a passenger all these years has had me seeing all kinds of things...and as a life long pedestrian I've seen it all... good grief.

[DJ in MJ]

I agree, Char. I do the same trip as you, except this train goes between Uppsala and Stockholm. I am absolutely floored at the complete lack of manners with cell phone etiquette. I've heard all the same variations of conversations as you have, and all I can do is crank my mp3 player up a little louder.

Take note next time you fly. As soon as folks are off the plane and on the walkway, out come the phones and everyone are walking along like sheep not watching where they are going.

I carry a phone too, but I only use it to call work or home if I am delayed in transit for more than an acceptable amount of time. And even then I try to be out of earshot of any innocent bystanders. I don't use it for pleasure.

[Auburn Annie]

Yeah - they must think there's this invisible cone of silence that descends on them when they whip out their cell. I've actually gotten used to seeing people "talking to themselves" - using hands-free earpieces as they carry on a one-sided conversation. In the old days we'd steer clear of the odd dears or give them a pitying look, depending on whether or not they seemed menacing. Now it's hard to tell the ones with voices in their heads from those with voices in their ears.

[Cathy]

We actually had a cell phone ring in church a couple of weeks ago, and the guy actually answered it and carried on a conversation. The minister glared at him. I guess he took the hint, because he abruptly put it away.