I think what they really need is a policy that allows a child to respond in a vulgar and disrespectful fashion (including the application of a quick punch in the gut, or kick in the shin) to a teacher or administrator whenever, in that child's opinion, the said teacher or administrator has attempted to enforce a policy with which the child does not agree. And there should be a machine in each classroom that continually shoots out caramel candies and Hershey Kisses, which the teachers will unwrap for the students and proffer when the children cry out for them.
"They can't call whenever they want to."
Gee, I guess those parents who are in service in a war zone call whenever they get a chance. The stupid idiot who interrupted this conversation and took the kid's phone away better hope and pray nothing happens to his mom.
Of course, the one thing this war has shown is the utter stupidity of the vast number of women, MOTHERS, serving in the military. Nevertheless, they are there, and serving nobly, and these school admins are by and large, idiots who couldn't get a real job if they tried. Little hitlers, many of them.
"The student should be paged and brought to the office to take the call"
Yeah, right.
That would actually take about 5-10 minutes to get done. Fat chance.
Sorry, but the proliferation of cell phones is a status symbol for some, as well as a necessity.
This was blown way out of porportion by those running the school. Showing a bit of humanity to a student won't cause the collapse of a school for cripes sake.
If I was in this kid's place, and my mom called from Iraq and the teacher started ripping the phone out of my hand, I can guarantee a few choice words would come out of my mouth too.
If you notice the comments from the school board members; 90% of them don't give a rat's ass that the kid's mom is even in Iraq.
Kid should just leave campus next time. I'm sure it would result in fewer days suspension.
Love the pic of Wendell and Felicia. Wendell just looks absolutely thrilled to be there.
Simple solution: Kids keep their phones on them as they please but using them in class is a no-no. What's so hard about that? Oh, wait, I know, people over 18 years old have forgotten how to be adults these days and stay in control of the situation.
I wonder what the discussion would have been had the bays Mother been killed that night...
A wise teacher would have acknowledged that the incident was seen, stayed away and allowed the call to be finished, then have the student called to the office later if she wanted to pursue it. I'm sure the kid would have openly admitted he violated the policy.
The principal could have dealt a day or so suspension because of the rules infraction, while also showing the student he was concerned about him and his mom, even though he had to be consequential with rules enforcement.
I'm sure they could have found a way to allow the kid to get the next call without having to be in violation of school rules, or at least given the kid the confidence to ask about the procedure of taking such a call without violating the policy in the course of the discussion about the consequential punishment.
The teacher escalated this. Kids do get mad. That's not to condone the behaviour of the kid, but a teacher is much better off not enducing it. Most kids show up sheepishly on their own about a half hour later with an apology when they lose it, and accept punishment if warranted, if a teacher remains calm.
This story is out in the universe now. I consider it a lack of wisdom on the teacher's part, and the now the entire district is paying the price.
Very poor decisions by the teacher in this case, IMHO, and such decision making does not yield the natural authority teachers maintain when they make decisions that are not impulsive and whose outcomes rest on consequences that can be meted out when circumstances are calmer.
longjack
Heartless buzzards.