cellphones, should bloomberg ban the use of cell phone in school? Options

[anheuser]

free free to post here my answer: of course no!


bloomberg is creating sumting stupid. well he's trying to put metal detectors in midle and highschools. he's doing this so it can prevent use from bringing yur cellphones in school well isnt that a wrong thing to do like for example if there wuz an emergency wut would happen and if wanted to call yur parent what would u call them with so ... i just need a minute of yur time and just type in yes or no and u can and maybe type in sum feed bac about wut u think about it.. thxs for all your time all cb users!

[*mipadi*]

I imagine you are talking about some law in New York City, but perhaps a little background information or some links would be helpful.

Also, I'm going to put this in Debate. It should make for an interesting topic.

[Simba]

I'd like some more info before I'll say anything...

[*This Confession*]

in schools at certain times yea..
i would ban it..
of course no one really goes by that many rules..
but ehm

i would say yes in some aspects..
and no in others

^i agree also i would like to see some info

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

EFF NO! if they do that, i'll just cut school.

Dearest Mayor Bloomberg,

Hi, how are you? So this is a letter written by one student, soon to be signed by many, letting you and the board of education know just how amazing your idea was to place metal detectors in schools. Scanning for weapons such as cell phones and ipods will definitely be effective in keeping our schools safe. I will be able to attend school knowing that I can walk through the halls without being brutally murdered with those little metal charms often seen on g-strings. Then again, the metal detectors are a random thing, so every other day that they aren't there I have to worry about someone shooting me in the face with a gun. Or, god forbid, murder with a cell phone. How dare a student bring a cell phone to school. I mean, come on, what kind of idiot gets kidnapped on their way home from school and uses a cell phone to call their parents so that they aren't killed and raped by some psycho?

People don't need cell phones for those kind of things. Duh.

Mr. Mayor, I completely agree with this idea. It's definitely an effective way to get every New York City student to hate you. I'm beginning to realize your plan of action in running our city, first get the firemen and every other union worker to hate you, and then move on to the kids. You're a sharp one. You're my role model actually, starting today I'm making everyone who enters my house go through a metal detector.
I can't trust my own mother, she owns a cell phone. And my own father owns an ipod. Satanic, I tell you. I've disowned my family for their evil ways of life. Music and communication just do not slide with me.

Then, and get ready for this, I've been hearing that students have been listening to MUSIC on IPODS? IN SCHOOL?! Outrageous. What nonsense is this, a kid listening to an ipod on his/her way to school and then placing it in his/her backpack until he/she gets out of school so that they can listen to it on their way home. Kids these days. That whole policy of "If we don't see it, we don't take it" is just a waste of time. Every child must pay.

Finally, I'd just like to give you a few ideas on how to further your "Let's protect our schools no matter how much everyone already hates me" operation. I would say making bulletproof vests, helmets, kneepads and elbowpads a requirement for school uniform would definitely keep our students safe. Or, even better, attaching pillows to the clothing of every NYC student. Shoes shouldn't be allowed either, because someone can get a serious concussion from being smacked in the head with footwear. Then again, isn't it possible for a child to rip off his/her shirt and strangle an enemy with it? Ban all clothing as well. Wait, can't someone strangle a person with their hands? We should definitely be getting rid of those too. Better yet, limbs should not be allowed in school at all.
So this is a thank you for being my hero.

Sincerely,
The World.

just something that has been circulating around myspace. i didn't write it though.
they're also planning to put in metal detectors in my school! i mean, WTF do they need it for? everyone in my school has a phone and if they just randomly decide to use the metal detectors, they'd have like 1,000 phones. and dozens of angry parents planning to sue the BOE.

i mean, a lot of people in NY go to school miles away from their homes. some people have to take the subway to school! parents give their children phones for a reason-safety. and if the BOE starts banning phones in school, then that just takes away the whole purpose!

edit:;
some links:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/27/nyregion/27schools.html
http://www.gothamgazette.com/article//20050413/6/1383
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/col/mdaly/
http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/9543

[juliar]

Background:

Mayor Bloomberg (and the Department of Education in general) have decided to go stricter on the school rule to not allow cellphones or ipods in school, regardless of whether or not you're using them. Metal detectors will be placed up in front of the school either all the time or just on random days (i hear different from different people). Any cellphones, ipods, mp3 players, etc. will be confiscated. Parents are ticked off because they give their kids cellphones for security reasons. Kids are ticked off because they like their cellphones and don't want to be bored to death on the bus/subway without an ipod. It hink this is more enforced on high schools though.

[Simba]

iPods being confiscated, I can understand, but cell phones? Not really.
It's for security and gives a kid something to do on the way home.

It would probably be a waste of money if it cost the school to put up metal detectors.

[Spirited Away]

Cellphones in high school should be a no-no. Try going to class and sit through a lecture with 10 different phones with 10 different ringtones going off (not at once). BIG ANNOYANCE and distraction.

It's ridiculous that kids think their world will end without cellphones in school. Yea, they have cheerleading, sports practice... blah blah... they need rides... blah blah... What did we older kids do without cellphones? We suck it up and use the office phone!

[Simba]

Cellphones in high school should be a no-no. Try going to class and sit through a lecture with 10 different phones with 10 different ringtones going off (not at once). BIG ANNOYANCE and distraction.

It's ridiculous that kids think their world will end without cellphones in school. Yea, they have cheerleading, sports practice... blah blah... they need rides... blah blah... What did we older kids do without cellphones? We suck it up and use the office phone!

I think what a lot of people meant was that kids shouldn't have cell phones on while in class, but should still be able to have a cell phone handy for before and after school.

[lalalaLANUH]

Lol My school sent out letters about this. They said it was to keep us "safe". Ironically enough, they didn't elaborate much on this point. How does this keep us safe is my question. If someone could give me a reasonable answer to that, then maybe I'd get over this whole thing.
On the other hand I hate how all the kids at my school are acting like their world has come to an end. Really they don't use their cells for emergencies. That's just their excuse to try and keep their cell phones in their pockets. I'm the one with the emergency phone because it takes me two hours to get home. They're only upset about this because they wont be able to text their friends in class.

[Simba]

Well, ok. So a lot of kids certainly do abuse any privilage to have a cell phone in school.

Cell phones can be used for emergencies. I guess we can't do anything if the owner is just plain retarded with it though.

[flc]

Of course not. At my school, we are allowed to use it before and after school, and during the day, we have to leave them in our lockers, even though, of course, I and many others don't.

It's just nice to have your own communication device instead of having to use a teacher's or waste your money using a damned payphone.

But then again I could see why they wouldn't want it, with text messaging and all. Some could give their friends answers to tests. But really, who's going to really want to spend time doing that?

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

Lol My school sent out letters about this. They said it was to keep us "safe". Ironically enough, they didn't elaborate much on this point. How does this keep us safe is my question. If someone could give me a reasonable answer to that, then maybe I'd get over this whole thing.
On the other hand I hate how all the kids at my school are acting like their world has come to an end. Really they don't use their cells for emergencies. That's just their excuse to try and keep their cell phones in their pockets. I'm the one with the emergency phone because it takes me two hours to get home. They're only upset about this because they wont be able to text their friends in class.

if they don't use their phone for emergencies, then what is it for? like just talking/texting to people at random? sure, when i'm bored i text people across the hall from me or on a different floor, but i use it for emergencies too! i got a phone in the first place 'cause i have to attend extracurricular Saturday classes in Manhattan. and i live in Queens, so i have to take the train. like sometimes i get lost so i go out and call someone to pick me up. but sometimes, afterschool, i need my phone if i go out. and if the schools don't let us bring cellphones anymore, then i can't go out anymore 'cause i always have to call my parents. and i'm gonna go to York next year, which is in Jamaica [my friends have gotten mugged there.] and if i can't bring my phone, my parents might make me transfer to the United Nations International School [UNIS].
ugh. i hate it when the BOE does things like this.

I think this is more enforced on high schools though.

they've already used metal detectors in Francis Lewis. and confiscated a lot of cellphones.

[emazing]

I think that in the few *rare* cases of an emergency, you should have a cell phone with you. However, think about the many distractions in class that both you and the teacher will experience when you're using your phone. I mean it's alright if you carry along a cell phone, and even if you use it outside of class, but all I'm trying to imply is that cell phones should not be used in class.
Metal detectors for cell phones though? Wack.

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

I think that in the few *rare* cases of an emergency, you should have a cell phone with you. However, think about the many distractions in class that both you and the teacher will experience when you're using your phone. I mean it's alright if you carry along a cell phone, and even if you use it outside of class, but all I'm trying to imply is that cell phones should not be used in class.
Metal detectors for cell phones though? Wack.

but most of the time, teachers don't even know, so there aren't many distractions. i only use my phone when i'm bored to death in double math. during lunch, no one cares. we just listen to our iPods and talk on our phones and the school aids don't even care. besides, people hardly ever use them in class. unless we're really bored.

[SarahxJoy]

I agree in questioning the intentions of how confiscating iPods and cellphones will keep students safe. Putting up metal detectors will cost the school district(?) money and what happens if a student is placed into a bad situation, and needs to make an emergency call?

I understand how not having cellphones on campus will eliminate the distractions brought up during class when a phone goes off, but that's why the teachers take the cellphones, yes? And at the end of class, the student should be able to retrieve it.

Some of you seem to be annoyed with how other students use their cellphone during inappropriate times during school hours. If you're not the one doing it, then why does it bother you? I mean, yes if a cellphone starts ringing in the middle of class, it's a nuisance, but that's why the teacher confiscates the cellphone. If not, then I'm wondering why don't they?

Another question I have, is why do they only bring up the idea of setting up metal detectors for iPods and cellphones? What happened to the possibilities of weapons bringing brought into school? Is it all such old news now, that Mr. Bloomber seems to have forgotten all about this?

Then about the iPods, I think that the "If we don't see it, we don't take it" rule really fits as a consequence for having an iPod out during class.

[LilPiggi3]

Scenario: School ends at 3 for me. Club meeting after school, for one hour. So that means i would leave school around 4. And i don't think I can use the phones from the police and office, because they don't stick around after school that long. My high school is THREE miles away from my house. I am not gonna effing suck it up and walk home from school. I CAN take the bus that goes from my shcool to home comes every half an hour. But by the time i get home, my parents will be wondering what kind of trouble I got into. <-- that is life without a cell phone. With a cell phone: call parents to pick me up. Home on time and parents don't have to worry and yell.

Plus, kids at my school don't talk on the cell phone in class if the teacher is giving a lecture. They only use the phone AFTER s/he is done. & it's mainly to text ...i don't think texting is much of a distraction to the class if everyone is having free time to work on their homework/worksheet. If your ipod earbuds are connected to your ear anytime during the lecture (with or without music) they will confinscate it from you and give it back to you after school. Problem solved. Why are stupid board administrators wasting time on getting rid cellphone/ipod. It's not a life threatening deal. yeash, save the money for healthier, tastier school lunches.

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

I agree in questioning the intentions of how confiscating iPods and cellphones will keep students safe. Putting up metal detectors will cost the school district(?) money and what happens if a student is placed into a bad situation, and needs to make an emergency call?

I understand how not having cellphones on campus will eliminate the distractions brought up during class when a phone goes off, but that's why the teachers take the cellphones, yes? And at the end of class, the student should be able to retrieve it.

Some of you seem to be annoyed with how other students use their cellphone during inappropriate times during school hours. If you're not the one doing it, then why does it bother you? I mean, yes if a cellphone starts ringing in the middle of class, it's a nuisance, but that's why the teacher confiscates the cellphone. If not, then I'm wondering why don't they?

Another question I have, is why do they only bring up the idea of setting up metal detectors for iPods and cellphones? What happened to the possibilities of weapons bringing brought into school? Is it all such old news now, that Mr. Bloomber seems to have forgotten all about this?

Then about the iPods, I think that the "If we don't see it, we don't take it" rule really fits as a consequence for having an iPod out during class.

i heard from teachers that they're planning to do that because some people were caught cheating during Standardized Tests [something i forgot to say]. but still, it would be a better idea to ban cellphones only during Standardized Testing. [but it might take too long and some students might cut.]

[Spirited Away]

I understand how not having cellphones on campus will eliminate the distractions brought up during class when a phone goes off, but that's why the teachers take the cellphones, yes? And at the end of class, the student should be able to retrieve it.

Some of you seem to be annoyed with how other students use their cellphone during inappropriate times during school hours. If you're not the one doing it, then why does it bother you? I mean, yes if a cellphone starts ringing in the middle of class, it's a nuisance, but that's why the teacher confiscates the cellphone. If not, then I'm wondering why don't they?

Day 1: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 2: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 3: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 4: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
TEST DAY: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.

And each time that happens, class is interrupted. If there is no punishment, what is taking away the phone and giving it back going to prove?

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

Day 1: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 2: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 3: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 4: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
TEST DAY: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.

And each time that happens, class is interrupted. If there is no punishment, what is taking away the phone and giving it back going to prove?

in Queens [and maybe all of NYC], the teacher just takes the cellphone and gives it to the dean who doesn't give it back to you until your parents come to pick it up.

[flc]

Day 1: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 2: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 3: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 4: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
TEST DAY: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.

And each time that happens, class is interrupted. If there is no punishment, what is taking away the phone and giving it back going to prove?

What people need to realize, though, is that there are WAY more distractions in the classroom than just cell phones. Like the "class clown." Or the teacher going off on some digression. Or a pointless fire drill. {If there's a fire in the school, you really think people are really going to keep their cool and walk outside in nice single file?}

The teacher making a scene for five minutes about a cell phone ringing is more of a distraction than the ringing in the first place, don't you think?

[*mipadi*]

The teacher making a scene for five minutes about a cell phone ringing is more of a distraction than the ringing in the first place, don't you think?

If the teacher says nothing about it, then that will only embolden students to allow their phones to ring during class, which will become a distraction.

[flc]

If the teacher says nothing about it, then that will only embolden students to allow their phones to ring during class, which will become a distraction.

Yeah, I know what you mean, but all I'm saying is that there are a LOT of other distractions in the classroom and there has always been a lot of others and it seems that the cell phone has become the scapegoat.

[SarahxJoy]

Day 1: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 2: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 3: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
Day 4: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.
TEST DAY: Cell rings, teacher picks it up and give it back at the end of the day.

And each time that happens, class is interrupted. If there is no punishment, what is taking away the phone and giving it back going to prove?

Well surely if that happens then the punishments should become more severe with each disturbance.

[flc]

Well surely if that happens then the punishments should become more severe with each disturbance.

Yeah. I've never heard of a teacher who just gives out the same minor punishments each time for the same offense, or who never gets annoyed with it.