Temecula Parent wrote on Oct 18, 2008 4:16 PM:The fact that Tyler Harrington lost his job says far more about the event planning of his employer than it does about the cell phone ban. I wish I knew which winery it was; I'd make a point of avoiding it for events if they cannot staff in advance. That was poor planning on their part, and makes me wonder how well organized they would be. Granted, it's also possible that Tyler has a performance history we know nothing about.

A compromise of allowing the use of phones during breaks seems reasonable.

Murrieta Parent wrote on Oct 18, 2008 9:38 PM:WOW! How did we ever survived 20 years ago with out our electronic leashes?
Hey Tyler find another job and quit your belly aching...

JD wrote on Oct 18, 2008 9:42 PM:Temecula Parent: That compromise would be reasonable. It also happens to be exactly what the old rule was. The ONLY thing different between the old policy and the new one is that they can't be used during breaks; they were NEVER allowed during class. To suggest that banning them during breaks is causing a decrease in during-class use is dumb. This policy is completely stupid. It's rare that I disagree with the teachers (most of which are in favor of this rule), but this is just ridiculous. Teachers could've just confiscated them during classes and brought them to the front desk before... I don't see why that's different now.

What wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:58 PM:Didn't Tyler's employer know that he was a student? Did they expect him to miss classes to go to work? This story doesn't add up. The situation with cell phones in classes was out of control and things have drastically improved. Some students are still trying to text-message with their phones on their laps. Teachers know to prevent this by making them put all of their bags on the floor.

happy wrote on Oct 18, 2008 11:38 PM:Great Job TVUSD! I teach at one of the high schools and it has done wonders on our campus. Our admin team spends less time dealing with stolen cell phones and I-pods. Our students do spend more time socializing. Walking across our campus last year the students would just sit and text during lunch. You now see students visiting with each other. We survived with out cell phones, these youth can too. By the way, if they need to find out how a relative is doing, most teachers would allow them to make that call during passing period. Keep the policy. Great job!

Bob wrote on Oct 19, 2008 3:57 AM:Do you want to be that teacher that confiscates a phone then has to deal with the wrath of idiotic parents who get upset when they can't contact little Jimmy? Do you want to be responsible for the equipment? This policy sends a clear and non confusing message, no phone use on campus. Students will always push the limit. Pushing the limit before was using the phone in class. Pushing the limit now means using the phone in the bathroom or remote corner, but definitely not in class.

I'm not sure how I survived school without an iPod or phone, but I did. Our teachers didn't even have phones in the classroom. Every classroom at Great Oak has a phone so if there is an emergency, a phone is easily found.

The problem is, an emergency to kids or parents aren't always a real emergency. Calling Mom to tell her you have detention before she leaves isn't an emergency, but that student will sure hear it from Mom after she waits for an hour!

Being in a conference with professionals that have to be 'connected' is bad enough. I can't imagine what a high school classroom is like with cell phones!

Patrick wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:08 AM:Why is an 18 year old working at a winery? Lets see, I didn't have a cell phone in school and I am still alive, amazing! Maybe school should be for learning, and not worrying if someone is trying to text or call, anyone think about that?

Chris wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:02 AM:There are several issues regarding Mr. Harrington's argument about losing his job at a local winery. First of all, why is the employer texting a student during school hours? Second, Mr. Harrington is a senior and possibly has early release at 1:00. If this is the case, why didn't he check his phone then? Third,if Harrington does not have early release, why is the employer asking him to come to work at 2:00 when school isn't out until 2:30? If this is the case, perhaps the labor board needs to pay a little visit to this local winery. Regardless of the reason, Harrington's argument does not hold water. Perhaps he needs a refresher in the elements of persuasion. This has nothing to do with the district cell phone policy.

Chris wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:23 AM:I was out having dinner with my wife last night and noticed a high school kid having dinner with her parents constantly looking at her cell phone and texting. I would have told that kid to put the phone down a join in on the conversation. I can only imagine how disruptive this would be at school. Hey kids why dont you put the cell phones down, pay attention and maybe you'll actually learn something. You dont have to be that connected with everything thats going on. When Im at work and have to explain a medical procedure to a young adult whose texting someone it really makes me angry. I tell them to put their phone down and listen. Totally disrepectful on their part. These cell phones have great uses but for the most part to young people they are nothing more than a security blanket or a baby bottle. Tyler, sorry about your job but you'll get over it. Dont use the cell phone ban as an excuse.

Cell Phones are the caus eof the Economic Collapse wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:39 AM:Tyler

You are under 21 and could not work at a winery anyways, so this sounds kinda bogus to me. I hope you aren't lying to the administrators and teachers like that.

On Friday nights why don't you go support the fotball team and go cheer on teh wolfpack as they begin their march through league play. You should ahve been at the game Friday and seen them dominate TVHS. The offensive line for Great Oak is the best the school has ever had.

Do the right thign and be a teenager and go to football games

Chris S wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:53 AM:Look these cell phones are nothing more than toys to these kids. You know it and I know it. For them to say they a missing vital information is a smoke screen. They carry their cell phones around like they are the CEO of IBM for crying out loud. Tyler, dont worry about your little job at the winery. Just concentrate on you education. Your argument is very weak.

Robert wrote on Oct 19, 2008 10:28 AM:Im so glad that these schools a finally taking a stand on this issue. It is not only disruptive but extremely disrespectful when you are trying to talk to someone while they are looking at their cell phone at the same time. Whats so important to these kids that they cant leave their phones in their cars while they are in school. I say ban cell phones from the school campus all together. Like the person before said, if it is something thats really important and these teachers have phones in class dont worry students you will be contacted. Stop with the distractions, dont worry about your stupid cell phone, crack open a book and study. Guess what? You might even learn the valueble lesson of actual human interaction.

Sick of it wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:28 AM:No mixed review from me. I am in my fourteenth year of teaching in TVUSD high schools and dress code issues and the arrival of the cell phone on campus have almost been enough to chase me out of the classroom. Trying to teach a class, keep students engaged in learning, and having to constantly scan the room for inappropriate dress and students using their phones is multi-tasking to an insane degree. It begins to feel as though one is a law enforcement officer instead of a teacher. Students seem to feel as though they should be allowed to have their phones out on their desks, as if they were expecting a call from the President and national security depended upon it. They are just totally addicted to them, and most of them are modeling their parents' behavior. There are parents who see nothing wrong with calling their kids right in the middle of class to remind them to babysit after school and are ready to fight with a teacher over it!
Also, Chris, you are absolutely right; there is no way that Tyler's story adds up - if, as a senior, he had early release, it was his fault that he did not check for messages after he left school. If he did not have early release, he had no business leaving school early to go to work, and his employer better know that. Totally bogus. I have taught seniors for years, and I always tell my students, "School IS your job!" Many of them lose complete sight of that fact are are just working to support cars anyway.

to ..economic collapse wrote on Oct 19, 2008 12:56 PM:There are many jobs for people under 21 a winery.

former TVUSD student wrote on Oct 19, 2008 2:33 PM:I almost wish I was still around to explain how pathetic of a rule this is. I can understand no phone use during passing periods and in the classrom (I can't think of a single time where a student was on the phone IN class. But there are so many situations that come up in which a phone comes in handy. Students who are really involved have last minute club meetings, ASB events to call vendors for, team practices... the list goes on. I could only imagine the annoyance I would have had if I was told I couldn't use my phone. Perhaps instead of waiting for TVUSD to make rules for students, parents who more than likely pay for the phones should be teaching their kids what's considered rude and not appropriate.

Cell Phone Etiquette wrote on Oct 19, 2008 4:57 PM:I'm glad cell phone are banned at school. Guess students will have to communicate with each other the old fashioned way... talking face to face.
Cell phones should also be banned in stores, waiting rooms, restaurants and movie theaters. How many intimate conversations have we all heard in high volume? And why do these people have to talk to each other ten hours a day? Let's all have quiet time...

a parent who tried to get ahold of a high school student wrote on Oct 19, 2008 5:06 PM:I have a son who needed to see his doctor in the afternoon because of a test that came back abnormal. I called the school in the late morning to have them get him from class so that I could pick him up to take him to the doctor. I was told that they do not interupt class and that I should have informed him earlier in the day so that he knew to come to attendance. I explained that I just received the call from the doctor and did not know that the doctor was going to need to see him. To shorten the story they did not call him from class and he did not make it to the appointment so the treatment was delayed. Now, if I could have texted him we would have been able to make that appointment.

po ty lst jb wrote on Oct 19, 2008 5:13 PM:Sounds like Tyler works at a "whinery" not a winery. Most people who went through school in the '80s got by just fine without cell phones. If there was an emergency, the parent would call the school and relay a message. Put the payphone back and make the kids bring change to call for late rides, change of plans, etc. Cell phones are to teenagers what pacifiers are to babies. This generation of kids are losing their communication skills. They can't even socialize because all they know how to do is text. Besides, their text shorthand is showing up in their school work. Is that what employers have to deal with? I can't see many bosses putting up with employees writing research reports or proposals using shorthand. By the way, since when do kids get to dictate school policy? GWTP folks!

which winery wrote on Oct 19, 2008 5:22 PM:Shame on the winery for thinking a kid would drop what he's doing to go and work! Are they advocating truancy? Sounds like it. What winery is this? Someone has to know. Maybe the writer could investigate that part of the story instead of creating sympathy for the "poor little kid" who lost his job because of the district's policy. I worked in high school and never once had an employer call me during the day to change my shift. They knew I was at school. Imagine a class with 35 kids having their eyes glued to a cell phone. How are they supposed to participate and learn? WHY would parents want their kids to learn less? WHY would parents want their kids to get less out of school? WHY wouldn't parents want their kids to respect teachers? Why AREN'T parents dealing discipline when THEIR kids break the rules. Kids raising kids is the special of the day.

JD wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:00 PM:Again, this rule did not ban cell phones in classrooms. THAT RULE ALREADY EXISTED. So any example you bring up about cell phones no longer being used in class is null and void, because they weren't allowed before. And to everybody who claimed that you did just fine without cell phones in the 80s... you also didn't have internet. Should we disconnect all our computers in the schools? How about getting rid of all new medical devices in our schools? No modern medical support for athletes! Please spare me. This isn't the 80s. The world is changing, technology is changing, and the kids of today are NOT like the kids from the 80s. So stop making that comparison.

To A ParentWho---- wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:34 PM:Sorry, I don't buy your story. If that were my son I would have gone to the school and picked him up. Simple! Problem solved. I would not have wasted my time on a telephone.

There is no reason in the world that anyone, kids or adults need to be tethered to a cell phone.

Last week I said to a friend I wonder how long before people start having ear infections because of cell phones. Well, guess what, I just heard on the news that people are getting dermatitis on their ears. Hello out there.

Hmmmm wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:21 PM:Tyler got the text at 2:00, DURING class. He would not be able to check it until 2:30 anyway WHICH IS ALLOWED. So, he would have had to KNOWINGLY use his phone DURING class which WAS NOT allowed in the old rule to begin with!

Sick of it wrote on Oct 19, 2008 9:46 PM:Sorry, I don't buy the story about the medical test, etc. either. As a teacher, I know that no school front office would ever stand in the way of a student receiving medical treatment at a parent's directive. This story is either made up or there is a lot more to it. I also agree with the writer who stated he would have just marched into the office and signed his child out. No problems and no questions asked!
To JD - You have produced a non sequitur if I have ever heard one. Just because we have all this amazing technology, it does not mean that it should be used everywhere in every circumstance. The internet is an incredibly handy tool, but we all know the depths of the evil to which it can be used. Internet use in the schools is rigidly restricted, thank goodness. Yes, students today have a lot more gadgets at their disposal, but they are just as immature and rebellious as they have always been since the beginning of time. THEY ARE TEENAGERS, and it comes with the territory for them to push the limits. What they really need are rules and boundaries, not the unlimited sense of entitlement that many of them have been given by their parents.
To the former TVUSD student - Do you really think this is the first generation of students who is SO BUSY with clubs, ASB, sports, etc.? Here's news: Life is sometimes annoying, There will be rules, laws and regulations that will annoy you all your life. Get used to it.

Patrick wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:01 AM:To a parent who...so if you could have text your son, he would have just walked out of school? I don't get it. How would have a text message got him to a doctors appointment? Was his condition life threatening? I doubt the doctor told you "get him in here right now!" If it was that urgent you should have called for an ambulance, not wasting time texting him, were you texting and driving? Just go to the office and sign him out! Just like in the old days...

Matt wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:00 AM:I don't understand either. The no cell phone use was already in effect for the classrooms. I mean, it doesn't affect me, just for the fact that I've already graduated and going to college. What the teachers should do would be to teach anyway, amongst the teenagers that are using their cell phones, and if they don't learn the curriculum, then they fail the papers and tests. If they whine that you didn't teach, just tell them you did and they were too busy playing on their cell phones.

Seems to me wrote on Oct 20, 2008 11:58 AM:that many of the parents are just as immature as their children. Life is not fair! Get over it!

To Chris S wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:51 PM:"...to say they a missing vital..."
"...dont..."
"Just concentrate on you education. Your argument is very weak."

Wrong, Chris S., your grammar is very weak, so before you start degrading a child, think first!

To everyone else: I think the kids should be allowed to have their cell phones. What happened to living in a FREE country? Where do these teachers and people running these school think they can just say, "No, you can't have contact with your family during your lunch break." If I'M paying for my son to have a phone, it's for a d@mn good reason - not to have some egotistical jerk tell my child they cannot use their phone. I agree with not using them in class as it can cause disruptions, but during their breaks and their lunches should be of no concern to anyone at all!!

Sick of it wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:37 PM:Matt - I understand what you are saying about personal accountability, but as a teacher I cannot imagine how distracting it would be to both the teacher and students who were trying to pay attention to have people all over the classroom sending and receiving texts. Ultimately, the teacher would be held accountable by both the parents and the administration for such students' lack of performance. In a recent professional journal I read that college teachers are having a related problem. Students were asking permission to bring in their laptops in order to take lecture notes. Teachers readily agreed to this until they began noticing that students in class were laughing at inappropriate times, i.e. in the middle of a discussion of the Holocaust! The upshot was that these students were IMing friends all over the place and not even paying attention to what was going on in class. There is no end to the potential rudeness in such situations, and it is not fair to either the teacher or serious students to have to suffer such distractions.

What a joke wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:47 PM:I agree with the remarks of those posters who managed to muddle through their high school careers without the use of a cell phone. I have been out of high school for 15 years, and I can assure you that when I was in school, high schoolers did NOT have cell phones. If we needed to call home, we used the pay phones provided on campus. If Mom or Dad needed to get a hold of us, they called the office who would get a message to us in class. Cut out the disruptions and learn something already! Many teenagers already spend too much of their time texting and calling when they should be spending time with their families- for Heaven's sake, don't cheat yourself out of an education by using your phones during school hours too!

Carolyn wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:58 PM:Look, last year the kids had the right to have cell phones during the day, just not in the classrooms. They abused the privilege, so they are now banned ALL day long. If the kids wanted to keep the old policy, they should have enjoyed the privilege that they were given and not have abused that privilege. Cheating was RAMPANT on the cell phones....they should be out of sight and out of mind during the school day.

JD wrote on Oct 21, 2008 9:15 PM:@ Sick of it: I wasn't arguing that we use technology everywhere in every circumstance. I don't believe phones should be used in the classroom, but banning them outright is stupid. My argument was a counter to those people saying "we did just fine in the 80s without phones". As technology changes, we must change with it. The fact is, having a cell phone is part of the life of children in this current generation.

While they shouldn't be using them in class, there is no reason to ban them outside of class. Restore the old rule, and make a "harsher" set of penalties for those who break the rule. Teachers say that now they can just confiscate them and bring them to the front office... that's what I had teachers doing in my classes at TV 3 years ago while I was a student there.

And if you want to curb cheating, you're going to need to be far craftier. From personal experience, I can tell you that cell phone cheating is the LEAST of your concerns.

JD wrote on Oct 22, 2008 10:02 AM:Ack, typo. I meant to say "I wasn't arguing that we SHOULD use technology..."