Should We Allow Students to Use

Their Cell Phones in School?

Q: At our high school, we recently reexamined our electronic use policy. The assistant principals
and I agreed that our policy oI no electronic devices during the school day was inconsistent with
societal norms. So in the opening days oI this school year, we asked our students to use their cell
phones and other devices responsibly. As we examine this shiIt in practice, we continue to ask
questions. What is the best policy regarding cell phone access? How do parents Ieel about this
issue? What are the instructional beneIits?
Kate Long, Principal
Twin Jalley High School
Elverson, Pennsylvania
ecriminalize Cell Phones
A: In our school, we used to conIiscate any cell phones that were "seen" or "heard" and hold
them Ior parent pick-up. We soon realized that a student might need that phone Ior an emergency
or to contact a parent. The punishment (and potential consequences) didn't seem to Iit the crime.
We decided this was not a battle to Iight, and we "decriminalized" cell phones. Now, iI a phone
causes a disruption, we treat it as we would any other disruption. AIter all, to our students (and to
us as well), the cell phone has become a virtual appendagean essential communication tool,
and not necessarily more disruptive than a student tapping a pencil.
Since we rethought our policy, havoc has not reigned. Our school structure has not collapsed,
and the instructional process has not suIIered. We now have more time to Iocus on what matters:
teaching and learning.
Scott Herrmann, Principal
Gemini Junior High School
Niles, Illinois

Teach Cell Phone Etiquette
This past summer, we too began to question our cell phone policy. It occurred to us that
everywhere else in society, we have been taught when cell phone use is appropriate and when it
is not. For example, church services oIten start with a reminder to silence all cell phones. We
realized that our students also need to be taught appropriate use. Now, use in the classroom is
still oII-limits, but in the caIeteria or hallways, use is allowed. When students enter a classroom,
they are greeted with a reminder about appropriate use. We have seen a drop in disruptions
related to electronic devices, and parents have welcomed this more relaxed policy.
Dave Stovenour, Assistant Principal
Dundalk High School
Baltimore County Public Schools, Maryland
Emphasize Responsible Use
We permit students to possess cell phones but require them to keep their phones "out oI sight,
out oI mind" during school hours. We do allow them to use other Iorms oI technology, such as
MP3 players, outside the classroom. Students understand and respect the policy.
We do a lot oI inservice training with teachers (and parents) on 21st century learners including
how to use student-owned technology in the classroom as an instructional tool. In this way, we
are able to emphasize the responsible use oI technology by our students. The instructional
beneIits are signiIicant, and we really don't have a choice but to move in this direction.
Andre Potvin, Principal
Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School,
Ottawa, Ontario


CELL PHONE RESPONSIBLE USE PROCEURES

Bishop O`Byrne students need to be Iocused on their school work during classes. Although cell
phones are commonly used by students and adults, having them 'turned on in class can be a
distraction to teaching and learning. This distraction includes cell phones ringing in class, vibrating,
students text messaging, etc. Consequently, it is very important that students 'turn oII cell phones
during classes to ensure they are Iocused on their education. Students may not use cell phone
cameras at our school to ensure the privacy (FOIP) oI students/staII is respected.

Procedures:
O Students are required to 'turn oII cell phones during class time (bell to bell). This includes all
times students are in regular classes, assemblies, or TA period. Cell phones must also be turned
oII in instructional areas (Resource Rooms, Computer Labs, Library, etc.).
O Students may not leave class to use their cell phones.
O Cell phones may be used in non-instructional areas (outside, gathering area) when students are
not in classes (spares, lunch time, beIore and aIter school).

Procedures Iaculty and support staII Iollow iI students use cell phones during class time or in an
instructional area:

1. Student is sent to the oIIice with cell phone.
2. OIIice staII has student Iill out 'Cell Phone Improper Use Form.
3. Cell phone is placed in small bag with 'Cell Phone Improper Use Form and secured in the oIIice.
4. Tear oII slip given to student. Student must immediately return slip to teacher/staII member. This
ensures teacher/staII member is aware the cell phone was turned in at the oIIice as requested.
5. Student may return to the oIIice aIter school to pick up the cell phone Irom an administrator. (Must
have Student ID)
6. Further action may be necessary Ior students who continue to break Bishop O`Byrne High
School`s cell phone procedures.


Calgary Catholic School istrict Cell Phone Regulation
"Students w||| not use a ce||u|ar phone or pag|ng dev|ce wh||e |n c|ass or other
teach|ng ] |earn|ng s|tuat|ons"

(From http://www.cssd.ab.ca/bishopobyrne/Iiles/2011/09/Bishop-OByrne-School-Agenda.pdI)

O 3 SLreams of LhoughL on conLrolllng cell phone use
1 nC PCnLS ALLCWLu
2 hones allowed aL cerLaln Llmes ln cerLaln areas
3 hones allowed ln classroom for *learnlng* purposes

O @alk abouL shlfL from (1) and (2) Lo somewhere beLween (2) and (3)
4 Cvervlew of whaL responslble use ls (conLracL beLween Lhe user and school)

O esponslble use pollcy of 8lshop C'8yrne Lhe CaLhollc school dlsLrlcL

O Some SuggesLlons for responslble use ln Lhe schools asklng sLudenLs Lo use Lhelr phones ln a
responslble manner
4 uecrlmlnallzaLlon of cell phones
Allow sLudenLs Lo keep cell phones on Lhem so long as Lhey're noL belng
dlsrupLlve
Cell phone as a vlrLual appendageLapplng pencll comparlson
Less Llme spenL enforclng
4 @each cell phone eLlqueLLe
emlndlng sLudenLs of where lL ls and lsn'L approprlaLe Lo use cell phones
O @heaLre remlnder Lo swlLch phones Lo sllenL
O SLudenLs enLer class school remlnd Lhem Lo sllence phones
CuL down on dlsrupLlon Llme
4 Lmphasls on esponslble use
nsLrucLlng sLudenLs abouL ways ln whlch cell phones can be used responslbly"
ln Lhe class for learnlng purposes noL [usL someLhlng LhaL provldes a
dlsLracLlon/devlaLlon from learnlng
Lxample of SMS polls (quesLlon LexL)
O DpdaLed ln real Llme anonymous
O 8renL uavls lecLures from lasL year
O rlvaLe school (Weber academy) dolng Lhls

O Ask class abouL cell phone responslble use pollcles ln Lhelr schools
4 @alk abouL my parLner Leacher's perspecLlve