"While many students carry cellular phones for use outside of school, cell
phones should be turned off and never
be used for incoming or outgoing calls, checking messages, or text messaging
on campus at any time between
8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. During the school day, students may use their cell
phones at the attendance desk *and
with specific permission from an administrator, teacher or the attendance
secretary*. There is a telephone at the
Upper School office which can be used to call parents." (bolding mine)
The idea that teachers and the other adults in the community can guide
students about what it appropriate sometimes gets lost with generic/absolute
policies. Cell phones made an appearance in 11th grade honors English on
the second day of school:
http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/MTU2OTczNTEx
The worry I have is more along the social/emotional side. The intrusion of
real life into the classroom can have repercussions. When a student
receives a text with bad news from home just before a big presentation
(Mom's flight is delayed, she's going to miss your soccer playoff game
today) there can be difficulties. News that used to be delivered by a
sympathetic school secretary or administrator who could monitor the response
now comes to students "anytime/anywhere" via email or phone. I had a
student burst into tears a couple of years ago because he got grounded via
email for not cleaning his room. (He was supposed to be in his email at the
time, exchanging project notes with a partner.) Parent education is a part
of this, but accepting that this is also the new normal is too.
Happy New Year everyone!
Sarah
Sarah Hanawald
Dean of Academic Affairs
Cannon School
5801 Poplar Tent Road
Concord, NC 28027
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