School policy on mobile phones?

gaiscioch

We still have considerable trouble with mobiles in our school. Even when the phone is confiscated, the students invariably get it back soon after - that afternoon or the next day, depending - as the management is concerned that if anything happened the student and they had not got access to his/her phone then the school could be liable for having confiscated it. Needless to say, this policy is proving deeply counterproductive in classrooms.

What is the norm in other schools on the use of phones, and particularly confiscation of same?

evolving_doors

gaiscioch wrote: »

We still have considerable trouble with mobiles in our school. Even when the phone is confiscated, the students invariably get it back soon after - that afternoon or the next day, depending - as the management is concerned that if anything happened the student and they had not got access to his/her phone then the school could be liable for having confiscated it. Needless to say, this policy is proving deeply counterproductive in classrooms.

What is the norm in other schools on the use of phones, and particularly confiscation of same?

Phone confiscated for few days, if they need contact then go through reception.
Liability is waived when parents students sign mobile phone policy.

What could happen the student that they would need to use phone.? If theres an issue with parent collecting then they either:
A. Ring parent at lunch/after school and make arrangements.
B. Use mates phone.
C. Explain situation at end of day, get note and bring phone 'back for next day.
D. Parents are asked to go through school if theres any issue with contacting student during day.

Teachers are also asked to keep phones out of view at all times during the day too.

Announce a change in policy before its implemented though. All Teachers MUST follow through (no blind eyes being turned), just drop phone up to reception ASAP and tell the student to tell their epic tale to receptionist (they dont mess the receptionist around).

If the parent comes in and demands phone back then no probs they can take it, but they'll get sick of calling in soon enough for repeat offenders.

Students get the message pretty soon if zero tolerance approach is adopted. Of course theres always exceptions but reception are pretty adept at dealing with them.

Now..... what about the smart watches!!

Crazyteacher

I think a zero tolerance on mobile phones should implemented in all schools. They cause so much hassle between using them during the school day, filming each other, lost phones, listening to music etc. When I was at school , there was a no mobile phone policy in place. Parents could send a message through the office to students and it was so much simpler for everyone.

r93kaey5p2izun

Officially we have a zero tolerance policy where phone is confiscated and not returned for 2 days. It used to work very well and problems were minimal. However we were informed that teachers were personally liable if any damage occurred to confiscated phone so reality is now that few are willing to take that responsibility. Problems have been slowly increasing since.

evolving_doors

River Attractive Jug wrote: »

Officially we have a zero tolerance policy where phone is confiscated and not returned for 2 days. It used to work very well and problems were minimal. However we were informed that teachers were personally liable if any damage occurred to confiscated phone so reality is now that few are willing to take that responsibility. Problems have been slowly increasing since.

Ill bet there are students and parents not happy with the social musings that go on during and between classes with phones.

Confiscate phone, let reception hand the student the 'landline' phone after dialing daddy's work number.

Once parents/students sign an ' acceptance of mobile phone policy' form liability is waived.

Just get the signature...

What did we do in our day?... we made arrangements. Everything has become such a moveable feast for the students/parents.
Student goes on holidays during exams... we're expected to supervise them and correct it after. Student out for sports, were expected to put the notes up or run extra classes.

Thats just life, dems the rules and if you can't stick by them then its obvious the education part of school life isnt being prioritised.
Mobiles interfere with education (unless its some controlled task in class using phones!).

Get the signature.
Zero tolerence by all.
Usual discretion for exceptional cases.

spurious

There are some kids spend their day with one eye on the phone and they're heads filled with 'likes', honest opinions, bullying, ne 1 wanna chat?, Kardashians, One Direction etc.. They genuinely think teachers haven't covered stuff because they were away in la-la land.

There is NO reason why a child needs a phone on during school time. None whatsoever.

r93kaey5p2izun

Gebgbegb wrote: »

Ill bet there are students and parents not happy with the social musings that go on during and between classes with phones.

Confiscate phone, let reception hand the student the 'landline' phone after dialing daddy's work number.

Once parents/students sign an ' acceptance of mobile phone policy' form liability is waived.

Just get the signature...

We have always had it as a signed policy - we still do.

But we received an official notice from ETB saying we were personally liable for confiscated items if damaged and that parents' signature agreeing to policy did not remove liability for damage. We had a special staff briefing from principal about it and how we would have to cover any costs personally.

I'm afraid nobody's going to take responsibility for €600 phones when neither school nor ETB will cover them. Policy is dead in the water if teachers left to personally guarantee property even once secured in the office.

seavill

If anyone thinks that in schools that have phones banned completely kids don't bring in phones they are kidding themselves. My current school has a strict policy no phones on the premises but most have them in their pockets but don't take them out in general. I was speaking to a colleague last week in another school with a similar policy that had a LC practical exam recently. Although phones are completely banned they were asked to leave their phones at the top of the room as they entered for the duration of the exam. 22 phones out of 24 left at the top.

evolving_doors

seavill wrote: »

If anyone thinks that in schools that have phones banned completely kids don't bring in phones they are kidding themselves. My current school has a strict policy no phones on the premises but most have them in their pockets but don't take them out in general. I was speaking to a colleague last week in another school with a similar policy that had a LC practical exam recently. Although phones are completely banned they were asked to leave their phones at the top of the room as they entered for the duration of the exam. 22 phones out of 24 left at the top.

Aye but I think theres a distinction between 'the use of phones during school time' and 'the possession of phones during school time'.

ardmacha

The school should get some basic unlocked 1996 type phones with no music, camera etc, and put the sim into that, "for emergencies", keeping the smartphone for a week.

spurious

ardmacha wrote: »

The school should get some basic unlocked 1996 type phones with no music, camera etc, and put the sim into that, "for emergencies", keeping the smartphone for a week.

...me yuman roights....


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