At the beginning of in-service this fall, I sat in a heated discussions as my

fellow co-workers discussed our cell phone policy, To allow students to have their
cell phones and other devices in school during the day or not? The discussion
lasted for an hour and ended with no real solution. Some staff felt the phones
shouldnt be allowed in the school while others used the technology in their
classroom. The issue was resolved within the week by our administrator e-mailing
us with our policy which states, All student cell phones should be put in their
lockers from bell to bell. This does not include tablets, nooks, etc which students
may use for reading or researching during class time. The students will be
monitored by the teachers. Mrs. Cuskey, a reading specialist, I like the flexibility
our technology policy gives me because allowing the students to bring their nooks
to intervention time with me I am able to provide resources on their own
technology. Then the student takes it home and is able to continue reading where I
left off with them.
The cell phone policy at Rice Lake Middle School is such that is the student
would have it out during the school day and be caught. The first offense is a
warning. The second offense the phone is taken to the office and it is given back at
the end of the day. The third offense the students parent/guardian must come and
pick up the phone. This is the second year this policy has been in place and it
seems to be working well.

The second school that I will be comparing is Cumberland High School.

Their policy states that students may be possession of cell phones throughout the
day as long as they are not visible and are silent and off during instructional time.
They cannot be used during classes to check time, check messages, used as a
calculator, etc. If the students dont follow the guidelines will result in the
disciplinary actions: First Offense Phone will be confiscated and kept a minimum
overnight and will be returned after a detention is served. The second offense
phone will be confiscated and kept in the high school office for two weeks and
then returned to parent. Four after school detentions will be assigned. The third
offense phone will be confiscated and kept in the office for the reminder of the
school year. Mrs. Jackson stated, This is a good cell phone policy, but I wish I
had more time to teach students about the correct time and place on how to use
their phone correctly.
When comparing both schools they agree that phones should not be used
throughout the day. The severity of degree of consequences differ due to the age of
the students. Both of the schools clearly state the phones should not be used during
the day. The difference is that the high school is allowed to carry the phone with
them all day.
The issue of cell phones I dont think will be going away anytime soon due
to the changes in technology. I think that the demand for technology in school will

only increase and students will begin to sneak them in if we dont find a way to
make it part of the day. While I dont think cell phones are best for the students
with all the issues including bullying and texting the schools need to send the
message that this is not tolerated.