They could try turning them off, that might solve the problem of them ringing after they are taken.
I would think this level of enforcement would be a minimum.
Dunno if that was HISD rules, or Bellaire HS rules, but according the nieces it was enforced.
Students would have to pay the fines to retrieve their phones if they are confiscated after going off in class.
The fines would be used to sponsor an after-prom party for students.
"I think it's a fun and practical way to lessen cell phone use," Novia said.
Seems like a case of twisted logic to me.
ping
One of my kid's college profs is really strict about cell phones. If your cell phone rings during class that's 2 points off you're score for the semester. So, if your cell phone rings during class, after 5 rings you'd drop a letter grade. However, he's strict on enforcement, so I don't think it happens more than once to many students.
I have a better idea. Equip each classroom with an anvil, and a 5-lb hand sledgehammer. If a cell phone rings during class time, the teacher will confiscate it, place it on the anvil, and strike it smartly with the hammer.
After a few of these object lessons, students will learn that turning their cell phones off is an excellent way to protect them from this treatment.
How simple!
Ah, modern problems. It used to be kids passed notes in class. Now I guess they just send text messages to each other. :-)
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The principal thinks a $5 fine is high enough? He obviously isn't serious about stopping the problem.
I believe confiscation is the correct action, but $5 is something most high school kids have on their person every day (lunch money). Maybe he is more interested in finding an innovative fund raiser for the after prom party?
I managed to survive 13 years of school without needing a cell phone, I'm sure today's kids can too.
Third offense: One solid whack with a hammer.
...oh I forgot to mention--the principal isn't in a whole lot of hurry to return cell phones. In fact, he only schedules 1 "cell-phone" meeting a day, in the morning, from 7:00 to 7:10 am. If there is a big back up of phones, it's tough, because the kid has to wait until his turn comes up. Some kids wait over a week to get the phone back--rough ol' world.
I do agree that the kids should not have their phones on during class. But, holding them for ransom doesn't sound like a smart idea, and one that would cause too much controversy.
A lot of kids don't have their own jobs nowadays, and the money would then have to come out of the parent's pockets. What if the kid spends his lunch money to retrieve the phone. The other thing I'm thinking is that God forbid some kid came across trouble and their phone was sitting in some office at school I'd be a pretty upset parent.
I do understand about kids needing consequences, but I don't know if the fine thing is a good idea... Maybe it's just cause I was really poor in HS, then again I probably wouldn't have had a phone in the first place! LOL
Someone call the ACLU. Whoever confiscates someone's phone should be shot.
Ahhhh. The latest controversy in the government high schools. I guess we can all be relieved that the 30% dropout rate isn't the big problem being addressed. We wouldn't want that to detract attention from the more pressing problem of cell phone abuse in classes.
(/s)