TEXAS CITY – “From bell to bell there is no cell”, is the message students will need to remember this school year as a new cell phone policy is now in place.
Students are expected to have their phones put away, silenced or off from the time they enter the building in the morning until the last bell rings in the afternoon.
“First and foremost, our students have trouble concentrating on their lessons when they are constantly using their phones,” said Superintendent Dr. Rodney Cavness. “Not only are cell phones disruptive during instruction, but they are also used all throughout the day to hurt or wound others via text messages, social media, and apps. As a result, this causes emotional scarring that can have long-term negative effects on our students. Therefore, since cell phones are causing the largest educational distraction in the schools, we are restricting the usage of cell phones during the academic day.”
As the lessons have adapted to use technology there have been times in the past where students were able to use their cell phones for instructional purposes. However, Texas City ISD has a new one-to-one implementation and student in grades 7-12 will each have a district-issued personal laptop eliminating the need for cell phones.
“Parents may see this as a minor inconvenience for them because they’ve been able to communicate with their child during the school day. I get that,” said Cavness. “However, if parents need to get a message to their child during the day that can’t wait until after school, they can always call the school and we can help them.”
Any student with a device out throughout the school day, will be in violation of the policy and the phone will be confiscated and turned in to a campus administrator. The device may be picked up by the student, a parent or guardian at the end of the instructional day upon payment of a $15 fee.
“We will explain this to students as we review school rules and policies on the first day of school but we really need the support of our parents in making sure their children understand the policy and the consequences if they break the rules,” said Cavness.
