Now that none of us are in high school anymore (and mom is no longer a school board trustee), it’s hard to keep up with everything going on in our school system. But that’s ok, because anything halfway interesting makes it into the local paper.
The latest happenings with the school board ’round here are that they have banned the use of “personal electronic devices” in Catholic school during school hours. That sounds like a great idea to me.
Naturally, the new generation of students who are perpetually glued to their phones don’t like this rule.
“I don’t like (the policy) because sometimes class gets boring, and I need to text my friends,” said one Grade 9 student
Because so much has happened in the 30 minutes since you saw them last!
“The teachers weren’t as strict in Grade 8. They’d take your phone away for a day, but here they take them away for the whole semester.”
Wait – Grade 8? Elementary school? What are children (face it, if you’re in elementary school you’re still a kid in my book) doing with phones during school hours?
I don’t get it. What happened to passing notes? Too old fashioned? Or is their handwriting so bad that no one would be able to decipher the note? Seriously, I think this is happening. They can speed text but can barely sign their own name.
Someday we’ll be telling our kids “When I was your age, I didn’t have a cell phone to bring to school.” Then they will start laughing and mocking us. But it’ll be OK, because I paid attention to the boring bits in class and will know how to properly communicate with other people and write without using txt slang and acronyms.
kthxbai.
PS. fashion mania on fiveblondes tomorrow. Because we love ya.
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I get that it’s stupid that these kids have phones but the big problem I have is that they don’t know when it’s acceptable to use them. I disagree with the ban in schools, why shouldn’t they be allowed to text their friends in between classes? As long as that is where it stays, JUST in between classes. They have to learn when and where it’s socially acceptable! Because your bored in class is not a good reason.
The schools could also do an awesome job at engaging student on their level. I know that means, don’t panic I’m going to say it, use new technology to tech them. Come up with some ways to use those cell phones to get them interested!
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I never really thought about this. Like you, it’s hard for me to keep up with what’s going in the schools these days. I think Bill makes a really good point though. Kids enjoy being connected with their friends, so it could be a great opportunity to turn it into an education tool.
Just the other day I was in a restaurant and while the whole family was eating, their little boy, who looked around 8 years old, was chatting on the cell phone. He actually talked for nearly half an hour! Perhaps he had a good reason, but to me it’s very bad manners. It’s unfortunate, but it seems some parents just don’t care.
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Carol – srsly? Dora the Explorer…wow.
Lauren – Knowing some of the ski racing families, I’m not completely surprised!
Bill – you’re totally right. We especially need to look to the next generation of teachers (hi, Micaela!) who understand these technologies better than some.
Jennifer – Manners! Talking on the telephone during dinner? That never happened in the Blonde household growing up.
I think for me this is all about being able to live without these things. I get really annoyed if I have to go a day or two without being able to go online. How will it be for these kids who don’t know a world without personal elecronics? Especially when it seems as though infrastructure won’t keep up with their demands.
If I had a phone when I was in high school I think I definitely would never have set foot in class. This is insane. I hope I can keep my kids off cellphones till they’re 16!
http://dougsamu.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/personal-gadget-ban-then-now-and-soon/
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