Gilroy
– Cell phones will soon be a thing of the past – at least in
some Gilroy Unified School District schools.
Starting in September, using cell phones and other electronic
signaling devices like pagers and beepers on school campuses will
be banned or operable on a limited basis.
Gilroy – Cell phones will soon be a thing of the past – at least in some Gilroy Unified School District schools.
Starting in September, using cell phones and other electronic signaling devices like pagers and beepers on school campuses will be banned or operable on a limited basis.
The GUSD School Board passed a policy Thursday night prohibiting elementary students from possessing cell phones and limiting middle schoolers use to before and after school. High school students have more freedom – they can use cell phones only during break periods. The policy was established to provide students with a learning environment free of distractions.
“It became clear when the subcommittee met that we needed different policies for different grade levels,” said GUSD Board Member Rhoda Bress after parents at the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council were the board asked for feedback.
The policy did not meet significant opposition from parents, Bress said.
“I think it’s ridiculous that kids have phones in school,” said Karen Van Herk, who has three children in the GUSD system. “They are in school. If there’s an emergency there’s a teacher – there’s a phone in class.”
Van Herk’s daughter has a cell phone, but is only allowed to use it to call for a ride after sporting events. “I like this (cell phone) policy – let them have it – but don’t turn it on,” she said.
Under the new policy, cell phones must be turned off in class. Vibrate mode is out of the question. Teachers and administrators can confiscate phones that go off during restricted periods.
“The administration is more concerned about it than the teachers,” Gilroy High School senior Justin Sabla insists. Current policy: If a cell phone rings, most teachers permit students to take the conversation outside, he said.
While school officials and parents are behind the policy, the individuals it directly affects have some reservations.
“Teachers always get phone calls in class – that’s what makes (banning) unfair,” said GHS senior Cynthia Garcia.
She wasn’t the only one with concerns about the new policy.
“What if someone died? What if there was an emergency?” Sabla asked.
Before cell phones, when an emergency occurred, students were pulled out of class. But times have changed. Cell phones cut out the middleman.
“I had a teacher once whose grandson was dying. She got calls all the time,” Sabla said. It wasn’t considered a distraction. She had an emergency, he explained. “They go off in our backpacks, but they’re not a distraction.”
After surveying the GHS campus, it was difficult finding a student who objected to cell phones in the classroom.
“I only use (my phone) to tell time. I don’t wear a watch,” said Nick Dunigan, 18, a senior. “It never goes off – other people’s do – but it’s not a distraction. They go off at pretty lucky times – like when people are acting up.”
As for confiscating phones that do ring, Dunigan had a suggestion for faculty members: “Confiscate only if its a constant problem, but if its a rare thing or only happens periodically they should be given a warning first.”
As for parents and school officials concerned about students using cell phones to cheat during examinations students say it’s almost impossible.
“It’s too hard to cheat. You can’t take photos of tests – the (images) are too blurry,” Sabla said. He had never heard of people using cell phones to cheat.
“I have heard of people doing it – but I’ve never seen it,” said senior Stephanie Worth. “You’d have to pretty smart to (figure out how to) cheat.”
Students have grown up in an environment where owning a cell phone is commonplace. Friends and family are accessible at the touch of a speed dial button.
“Most people have cell phones,” said Jackie Iwanaga, 16, a junior at GHS. “My phone is my life.”
As she was explaining how cell phones are not a distraction in class, only when used to text message – her phone flashed.
“Can I answer that?” she asked.
