Pasco board seeks tougher cell phone rules

Following in the footsteps of their Hillsborough counterparts, Pasco School Board members have instructed superintendent Heather Fiorentino to look into stricter enforcement of rules governing student use of cell phone and other wireless devices that can be used for sending messages and photographs.

During a discussion on the 2008-09 code of student conduct, board member Allen Altman said he had received several calls from teachers who were concerned that newly made tests were getting to students before they ever arrive in class, thanks to text messages from kids in the period before them.

The rules state:

Personal electronic devices (which include, but are not limited to, cell phones, text messaging devices, MP3 players, beepers, PSP’s, CD players, radios, electronic games, etc.), which are deemed to be potentially disruptive, shall not be activated or used during / at any DSBPC school campus, bus, or school function, unless the student is given explicit authority to do so, by a school official.

"The students who are following the rules and acting with integrity are being unfairly impacted by the actions of students who use them to cheat," Altman said, urging the superintendent to give teachers and principals more power to enforce the district's rules regarding cell phones and the like.

Fiorentino responded, "We'll be more than happy to come up with the teeth, so long as I've got the support of the board."

"You've got it," board vice chairman Frank Parker replied, with others nodding in agreement.

Comments

[jen]

Mother of 2 is correct, I believe a child should have the right to utilize new technology but cell phones during school time should be for extreme emergency (Columbine type emergencies) not for drug deals, illicit meeting arrangements and appointments to meet for fighting. Off and tucked away would be fine with me, but that doesn't happen. Many times the parent is calling during school time and they think that is ok and answer during class.

[jen]

Mother of 2 is correct, I believe a child should have the right to utilize new technology but cell phones during school time should be for extreme emergency (Columbine type emergencies) not for drug deals, illicit meeting arrangements and appointments to meet for fighting. Off and tucked away would be fine with me, but that doesn't happen.

[Mother of 2]

Yes, parents have the right to contact their children whenever they want to, but not via cell phone. Any parent can all the school at any time and request to speak to their children using the school phone system. Cell phones need to remain off and tucked out of sight!

[Val]

I agree, jam the phones!!! Oh wait a minute, it's the parents right to contact their child during class. Parents could eliviate a lot of the problems in schools if they would back district policies and support their childrens learning environment.

[John]

How about putting something in all the schools that jam cellphones

[Teacher]

As a teacher who has had a test photographed and texted to multiple students I can say that phones are a problem that needs to be addressed

[M.]

I have to agree with JL.... I can remember the concern on whether to let kids 'touch the computers' (oh, no, they are ALWAYS going to do something bad.... WRONG!) Technology has been a huge success to student gains once we embraced the change and began to work with the student body to positively influence their education.

Let's not fight a battle of the language of kids today; instead find a way to embrace their preferred 'language' with each other to benefit both them and utilize it as an instructional tool. (like the computer.....) Besides, has anyone asked the students for ideas on how to use it in a positive way in school? Most kids would abide and peer monitor electronic usage if we allowed them input. Better than fighting the reality that exists....

Interesting how we can sometime overlook the customer we are trying to serve.... Why not send the word problem of the day (created by the students who work toward the privilege of being the 'authors') to kids in the evening for in lieu of homework? Can be programmed earlier in the day; multiples at a time and set just like a timer on any given date and time.

Just a thought. Seems to make more sense to me as an educator than fighting a battle of a culture we all live in; if parents trust their children with electronics, why do we question that judgment?

Besides, we, as adults, all use them as a common tool daily.....

[JL]

You've got to be kidding me! You're telling me kids can't listen to iPods or text message their friends while riding a school bus? This kind of hyper-regulation of children is ridiculous.

[Joseph]

I don’t care anymore. Let them cheat, text, and play video games during class. If they have to make a call, just ask them to go into the hallway. Throw out grades and graduation requirements, just give them a certificate of attendance, if they make to school and behave.

If this is what they want, then give it to them.

Honestly, why should the rest of care anymore. It’s their education, or lack of it, and future.

[michele]

do you really think you can force that rule? My teachers text all the time! I am a graduating senior this year and I promise you, nothing will ever stop kids from texting!

[Puffer]

I'm sure the Union will be now be for texting, since the Super is against it