CAMDEN — As discussed last month, the Preble Shawnee Board of Education at its Tuesday, Sept. 10, meeting, continued its discussion on the implementation of a cell phone policy in the high school following a survey of parents of high school students in the district.
Some 83 percent of parents surveyed reported their students bring cell phones to school daily, according to Principal Dianna Whitis.
The policy has been in place at Preble Shawnee Junior High for two years.
“We felt like, since they implemented one there, we could use their policy, because we have two grades now that are going to be used to it in the high school,” Whitis told the board.
“When we presented it to you guys, I know you had questions about, well, ‘can they have it at lunch, or can they have it in between class? How do the teachers feel about it?’ Our teachers are very strong in not wanting to have cell phones in the classrooms for many reasons. First of all, just the temptation of stopping what you’re doing. When the teacher is presenting something or teaching something, they stop and they check their phone. I mean, I know I do it. I mean, you guys will be talking tonight, and I’ll look down and I’ll check my phone if something goes off on it, whether it’s silenced or not, I still have a vibration that tells me so the distraction of that.”
“Cheating, we found a lot of times there’s cheating with the phones,” she continued. “There’s a lot of them on their phones, whether they’re looking up answers, taking pictures of the test and then saving it, giving them to their friends for a later period in the day. We also have some students taking pictures of other students that are inappropriate or not wanted by the student not wanting their pictures being taken. Another reason that we talk a lot about in the classroom is because they like to play games and that’s still distracting. And one of the biggest things is mental health issues. The students will — I don’t want to call it bullying — but they pull up things, or they alter pictures, or they pull something off their Facebook that they saw the night before, and they bring it to school, and then, worse than that, in dealing with things that’s happened outside of school, because they’re bringing it in on their phones and showing it and that’s causing us some discipline problems. So, that’s a lot of the reasons why the staff and the teachers don’t want the cell phones in the classrooms, because we want to be able to provide the best education we can without disruption.”
“Yes,” Whitis added, “We know that a cell phone is a great tool, and you can search things from the internet on it. You can do Quizlet – but we have one-to-one with our Chromebooks. We do everything on our Chromebooks that they can do on their cell phone.”
“In our policy, as it states right now, it says either in their locker or backpack, but it doesn’t bother us if they have it on them. We just don’t want them using them, having them out and doing things with them. They can have them on them, just silenced. If we need to change to that, we are very open to that, but we understand that parents like the students to have them. They want to have them as quickly as possible if there’s something going on or if there’s an emergency, but we also realize that it’s taking away from their education,” Whitis said.
It was noted during the meeting that last year, just in the high school, there were 31 office referrals strictly for cell phones in the class, two fights last year that were directly linked to cell phones and things that were being sent on platforms like Snapchat, and even an instance of a threat being sent on a cell phone during the school day.
Whitis said she asked the school’s School Resource Officer how inconvenient it is “If we have an emergency here, and if our students get on their cell phone, start calling 9-1-1, or start calling home. He said they would probably receive anywhere from 30 or 40 phone calls about the same situation, tying up their 9-1-1 operator when they already know what’s going on and that they’re already responding to it. He said it doesn’t interfere with their communication, because everything’s over their radios, not a cell phone. But he said just them tying up 9-1-1 is one thing.”
“And then I also contacted all the other county schools. Eaton is the only school that allows the students to have cell phones in house at lunchtime. Twin Valley South, the students have no cell phone usage at all, but they are allowed to carry them with them throughout the building. National Trail and Tri-County North — no cell phones at all, out of sight, in the lockers, in the cars, or leave them at home. I will say, Tri County North, last year had the policy where they could use them at lunch, and she said it was kind of a disaster for them, because they would go to lunch, they’d be on their phones, and they’d try to go to the next period, and they’d still be on their phones. So, it was hard for the teachers to have to tell them, ‘you need to put your phones up. Let’s get back on task.’”
The policy, similar to one in the junior high, restricts cell phone use in classrooms. The policy allows students to carry phones but not use them during class. Reasons for the proposed policy include distraction, cheating, inappropriate pictures, mental health issues, and discipline problems.
The proposed addition to the student handbook read:
“Effective Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, the High School will become a cell phone free zone. Cell phones should remain in backpacks or lockers and must be turned off or silent from the beginning of the school day (7 a.m.) until the end of the school day (2:15 p.m.). The only exception to this rule are students who have a documented chronic medical condition that requires a cell phone to monitor such condition (ex. diabetes.)”
It continues, “This change in policy will allow our students to be more present and engaged in their learning. The intent is to support our students in their academic success by removing a major distraction while promoting face to face interaction and connection. Any cell phone in view will be considered a violation of the High School rules. The consequences are outlined below. Beginning with the 3rd offense, the cell phone will be confiscated and securely held until a parent/guardian is able to pick it up from the school.”
Offenses and consequences include: “1st Offense: Strong Warning; 2nd Offense: Detention; 3rd Offense: 1 day of In School Suspension and parent/guardian must pick up phone; 4th Offense: 2 days of In School Suspension and parent/guardian must pick up phone; 5th Offense: 3 days of In School Suspension and parent/guardian must pick up phone and 6th Offense: 3 Day Suspension and parent/guardian must pick up phone.”
The policy continues, “We understand that there are parents/guardians who rely on contacting their child throughout the day. Please know that if you need to speak with your child, you are welcome to call the High School Office 937-787-3541 at any time. Likewise, if any child needs to contact their parent/guardian they are permitted to call from any of the High School offices.”
The policy will be reviewed and adapted as needed.
Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.
