New Yorkers fight mobile phone ban {in public schools} (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Matthew Wells
BBC News, New York

A growing revolt is under way in New York City by parents, teachers and pupils against a city-wide ban on the use of mobile phones in public schools.

The dispute revolves around an 18-year-old rule which bans all electronic communications devices from school premises, introduced at a time when the most advanced hardware around was a bleeper.

Campaigners say that times have changed, and a mobile phone is an essential part of urban family life, in a city where the fear of terrorist attack still looms large.
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Several lawmakers in the state capitol are introducing legislation which could override the mayor's ban on phones, and a large number of city councillors have vowed not to let the issue drop.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5013424.stm

Interesting story. It's easy to see the issues from both sides.

I believe there is some sort of device that can suppress cell phones within the immediate area from receiving outside calls, but their use is strictly controlled. Anyone know what I'm referring to ? I don't remember what it's called, unfortunately.

[Mythsaje]

1. It's a frequency jammer of some kind...

I remember reading about their introduction in Japan a few years ago, and I believe certain casinos are starting to use them, though their legality is somewhat of a gray area. In vegas the casinos pretty much hold all the political power, so I think they can do it there.

I've commented on this particular subject before--gotten flamed for it too. :shrug: I don't have a problem with rules about USING cell phones during class, but I'm no fan of pushy administrators and bureaucrats bossing people around...even kids.

[Coastie for Truth]

2. Pro and Con

Pro The Ban - This is from my sister, a Middle School Assistant Principal, where they see one earthquake every 500 years, one tornado every 30 years, one hurricane every 30 years (rain only) - and get 3 days warning of blizzards.

No way. The kids just use them for:
• Arranging drug deals,
• Arranging dates,
• Arranging fights, and
• Cheating
She is a control freak.

Con The Ban - My opinion - we live on the "Pacific Rim of Fire" between two major, active faults.

Permit them.
• we live on the "Pacific Rim of Fire" between two major, active faults.
• My sister's arguments all reflect on the inadequacy of the Assistant Principal and her teachers to control their students.

[Pugee]

4. The school that I work in bans them "in sight"

If a student has it out, it will be taken away. If they keep it in their purse/bookbag, they are left alone. This is for insurance purposes. The school is liable if a student takes pics of nude students in the showers/locker rooms. Also, kids can take pics of exams if the phones are out.

[Spangle]

10. YES, those things are happing.

But they can happen out side the school as well. So she has no case.

The same basic rules that people have to follow at work, etc.. should apply at school. Ringer off during class. Can not use, unless it's 'free time.' Which means if the class IS just setting around yacking and nothing is going on.. noting wrong with using it. But not accepting phone calls.. no ringing phones.

While picture phones might cause a problem.. so would any other camera. And cameras are generally allowed.

IF the student can't follow the 'respect' rules, then the item should be taken away and given back after class. If tat doesn't work, then it's turned into the office. Next, returned to parents..with them signing that next time.. it will be donated. AND the whole thing doesn't start all over with the 'new' phone.. it goes straight to the office.

[NJCher]

3. I'm in NJ but...

I'm teaching some h.s. kids this summer, although I'm normally in higher ed. This is just a summertime assignment. I have to say, though, that I can understand why the Board of Ed wants to get rid of them.

HS is totally different than college teaching. These kids could give a damn that they're in a class. They act like they can do anything they want, including having a phone conversation right in the middle of class. All sorts of unusual ring tones routinely interrupt the class. It really gets old-- being interrupted with these things. On top of all that. they're constantly checking them for messages, the time, etc.

They are a complete distraction and that's one more thing these kids don't need. They act like they all have ADD, anyway.




Cher

[Yollam]

5. I and all my classmates lived without one...

...and I'm doing just fine without one today.

I don't think kids should bring any unnecessary items to school, be it a game boy, distracting skimpy or flashy clothes, or a cell phone.

Cell phones aren't allowed at my son's school in Japan. His school is rather old-fashioned, most schools allow them, but his only allows an alarm buzzer.

Here's his uniform:



Call me a conservative, but I do believe that simple and spartan is a better environment for school than having a bunch of "individuals" having a fashion and cell-phone gabbing competition. My son's confidence and independence has improved big-time in the months since he left his school in San Francisco (which was the top-rated in the city).

[Spangle]

9. Go spend a day in the Ele and the Mid

If your suprised by the HS, check out the lower grades. This all didn't start with puberty. And 'BAM! the kids are uncontrolable.

Nope, check out the lower grades. I'm always suprised when I vist the ele level and see all the kids walking around in the classroom. All the noise, etc. I've talked to teachers who have told me that this is now 'normal.'

Does anyone realize how easy it's to bully others, if you can walk around any time you want? wIth so much going on.. how CAN the teacher really see what ALL is going on? Teachers can't see.. and if kids tell.. they are in trouble for constantly 'tattling.' Clasic 'catch 22.'

Middle schools HAVE to be run almost like a prision. Which comes with rudeness by the adults. NOW the school wants kids 'behave' like adults, but not with the rights as adults. KIDS will never get that concept, because they are KIDS. By the time they are in HS.. oh please.. The kids no longer have any chance of having 'respect' for anyone in the system.

The control is lost in the ele level and just keeps getting worse.

[Richard D]

6. As I recall . . .

. . . a lot of lives may have been saved at Columbine because kids had mobile phones.

[celestia671]

11. True

However, cell phones that are coming out now have much more capabilities than just calling people. They have cameras, games, internet, etc. Kids don't need those distractions in class.

[NJCher]

7. no good in 9/11

Coastie says: My sister's arguments all reflect on the inadequacy of the Assistant Principal and her teachers to control their students.


Control: :rofl:

I would just love to see you in a classroom with these kids, exerting the kind of control you seem to think CAN be exacted. Really, some of these kids just simply do not care, not one ounce, not one iota, not one little eensy tiny bit. So what control is there? They already figure they have an "F" and truth is, they probably do.

Oh and btw, this is a "second chance" class.

Re the argument about the earthquakes, the cell phones weren't any good during 9/11 and they would be even less likely to work in an earthquake.




Cher

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Never heard of that device but I am willing to bet it is too expensive

for a school to afford.

I will admit I am probably biased since I am a teacher but I just don't see why kids need cell phones at school. We really don't need the distraction. Even if they are turned off and in backpacks, there will be a kid in that school who will try to steal them. Just like they steal video games and pagers when the kids bring them to school. And I would rather spend my time teaching than trying to figure out who took Billy's cell phone.