Our school, like most high schools, has a no cellphone policy. This means that students are allowed to have their cellphone on them (book bag) or in their locker as long as it is turned off. Of course most high school students will try to get around this, since students of this age seem to not be able to go five minutes without their phone. I had received a confiscated phone, and the student came to the office within a few minutes requesting that his/her phone be returned. I explained that the phone would be kept for a week since this was the first time, per school board policy. The student was not happy and wanted to call home. I politely told the student that their pass did not say to make a call so I sent them back to class. Within 45 mins I received a call from an upset parent that the phone was being held. I tried to get a word in edge wise while the parent was telling me how much the phone cost and how much the bill was and they reminded me, not in a very polite way, that I did not pay the bill. Once the parent finished I informed them that I could, as a courtesy, return the phone to them but they would need to come to the school. The parent came in and I returned the phone and handed them a copy of the cellphone policy, a sheet that we use that outlines the policy. I also pointed out that the next time we would keep the phone for a month. Well this didn’t sit well. The policy does not state what happens to a student who is defiant and refuses to turn the phone over. We have an unwritten “rule” in the school that a student who refuses a teacher will receive a suspension. Many parents have told this child that they are to take the suspension over turning the phone over. I really question myself as to how feasible the policy is. I have lost an entire drawer in my office to hold the confiscated phones. I have to maintain a clip board with a spread sheet that has all of the offenders. I had to create a form for the front office to use when the phone is turned over. So basically I see that I (all admin) are the ones who come out on the losing end of this policy. We get cussed, by parents. We get fussed at, by parents and student and teachers, and we have to keep up with these phones. Most times the parents have insurance on the phone and they go to their provider and tell them the phone was lost and the student has a new phone by the end of the day. It seems like it’s fighting a losing battle, some days. Others I feel like we are making headway in keeping the kids off the phones in class. It would be easier if the parents would support us. We have talked in class about how lack of support can keep a policy from being successful. This policy has been around for about 5 years now, yet parents always act like it’s news to them. Therefore, I have to say that there is a lack of support for this policy in the community. The school board, however, supports us on it at this time. I guess not enough parents have complained about it.
