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New Cell Phone Policy

By Paige Connell

   Have you ever looked around your classrooms and seen five or more kids frantically typing out text messages to send to people across the room?  Or been in a class where several cell phones go off in one period?
   Because cell phones are such a growing problem, Quincy High School has formed a new cell phone policy.  There is now a form that both parents and students must sign and agree to.
   Quincy High School’s policy states that school officials “realize that many parents want their son/daughter to have a cell phone so they can keep in communication with them.”  It is not a violation to have cell phones on campus by any means; the problem arises when there are disruptions in class.
   There are times when students are free to use their cell phones for calling, texting, or taking pictures.  The policy states that cell phones can be used on campus before and after school, during “passing time,” nutrition break, and lunch.  The policy goes on to say that cell phones “are to be out of sight and turned off at all times during class.”

   The penalties for violating this rule are as follows:

      1st Offense: Phone is being used at an improper time.  Teacher confiscates phone and it is given to the vice principal.  Student picks up phone after school.

     2nd Offense: Same as above, only this time, parent picks up the phone after school.

      3rd Offense: Parent picks up phone from vice principal and the student is not allowed to have phones on campus again.

   There are also more serious offenses than the standard ones.  These include inappropriate text messages being sent to students or staff, and also photographing students or staff in such a way that violates their right to privacy.  These offenses will result in complete loss of cell phone use on campus and additional school disciplinary action.
  Permission slips for these phones, with a space for both a parent and student signature, have been handed out in classes recently.
   So next time you think about pulling out your cell phone to text your friend across the room about plans for lunch, you may want to reconsider.
 

Cell phones on campus:

An Editorial

By Kayli E. Vallely

   Quincy High School has recently created a new cell phone policy on campus. Both students and parents are required to sign a permission slip which allows students to possess cell phones.
   The funny thing about this policy is that nothing has really changed. Perhaps the punishments are now more clearly defined, but the rule is the same: cell phones must be kept under wraps during class, but can be used on one’s own time. To me, this should be a no-brainer. If one takes out his or her cell phone in class, he is being distracting and can detract from the lesson. It’s one thing to ruin one’s own learning, but cell phones can be distracting to others in the class, including the teachers. A line is crossed when students start to infringe on the rights of others.
   Don’t get me wrong… I love using my cell phone! It allows me to stay connected with my friends and family at times when I normally would not be able to speak with them; however, when I am in class I am there to learn. I am of the belief that I can learn a lot from most teachers, and while I am in any type of educational program I intend to learn all I can from these amazingly experienced people.
   For example, in my AP English class, my teacher sometimes has to stop her lecture in order to tell someone to put his or her cell phone away. This distraction causes her to lose her train of thought, and for the rest of the class to miss out on potentially useful information. Cell phone usage in this context is inappropriate because it detracts from the teacher’s lesson and from the learning time of the others students in the class.
   It is sad that our school has had to generate an actual policy that needs to be signed in order for students to be respectful. It should be common courtesy for students not to distract their teachers and classmates, with cell phones or by any other method. Hopefully the new cell phone policy will deter students from utilizing their cell phones at inappropriate times, so we can all live happily in our high-tech world!

Cell Phone Etiquette: 10 dos and don’ts

 Please take the time to consider what is polite and what is not when using your cell phone. This list by Joanna L. Krotz, with additional commentary by Kayli Vallely, outlines some of the basics. If interested in more information, please see http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/technology/communications/cell_phone_etiquette_10_dos_and_donts.mspx

Cell Phone Don’ts

 1. Never take a personal mobile call during class. This includes classes that one may classify as unimportant.

 2. Maintain at least a 10-foot zone from anyone while talking.

 3. Never talk in elevators, libraries, museums, restaurants, cemeteries, theaters, dentist or doctor waiting rooms, places of worship, auditoriums or other enclosed public spaces, such as hospital emergency rooms or buses. And don't have any emotional conversations in public — ever.

 4. Don't use loud and annoying ring tones that destroy concentration and eardrums. Grow up!

 5. Never "multi-task" by making calls while shopping, banking, waiting in line or conducting other personal business.

Cell Phone Do’s

 1. Keep all cellular conversation brief and to the point.

 2. Use an earpiece in high-traffic or noisy locations. That lets you hear the amplification, or how loud you sound at the other end, so you can modulate your voice.

 3. Tell callers when you're talking on a mobile, so they can anticipate distractions or disconnections.

 4. Demand "quiet zones" and "phone-free areas" at work and at school; you can help enforce the cell phone rule!

 5. Inform everyone in your mobile address book that you've just adopted the new rules for mobile manners. Ask them to do likewise. Please.

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