Cell phones and school can mix
A change in policy that will allow students to use their cell phones during after-school activities is a move in the right direction. The reason for this move is so students who, for whatever reason, might be late returning from a sports, band or other school-sponsored event would be able to call their parents and let them know.
However, the use of cellphones on school grounds during school hours is still banned. Reasons for this ban are patently obvious. No teacher wants to be interrupted by a ringing cell phone. There have even been reports of the devices being used to cheat on tests. The potential for abuse is there. No one would argue this point.
So it looks as if the ban is a good policy, and in a perfect world, it would be. But, as we all know, the world isn’t perfect. With all the reports of school shootings and violence, many feel that students should have a way to communicate easily with the outside world. Others say that students should be able to report drug deals or other illegal activity if they see them going down on school grounds. Parents may also need to establish immediate contact with their child in certain situations, such as an accident or medical emergency.
Let’s face it, cheating is officially banned in schools as well, and some students abuse it, but most don’t. The same could be true of cell phone use. Ban their use, but not their possession, on school grounds. The majority of students would abide by the rules, but they would still have them if they need them. And maybe that’s not such a bad idea.