Wauwatosa Girl, 14, Arrested For Texting In Classroom

[dgridley]

Student Arrested For Classroom Texting

Wisconsin girl, 14, nabbed after refusing to stop messaging

FEBRUARY 17--A 14-year-old Wisconsin girl who refused to stop texting during a high school math class was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, according to police. The teenager was busted last Wednesday at Wauwatosa East High School after she ignored a teacher's demand that she cease texting.

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Student Arrested For Classroom Texting - February 17, 2009

Personally I don't think cell phones should be allowed in school.. kids did quite well without one befpre they were invented.

[pk]

Personally I don't think cell phones should be allowed in school.. kids did quite well without one befpre they were invented.

Unfortunately times have changed since days of going to school years ago. I think texting is wrong in school, but cell phones when used properly can be very helpful in today's schools.

My kids are in different schools, and they are very involved in after school activities, sports, and various other things. I need to know if a meeting has been called off, or if they are running late for one thing or another before I am on the road going over to pick them up. School offices dislike letting kids call home for various reasons so what is a student to do?

Also, it is great to know that if something bad is going down at the school I can find out through my kids with them texting me or calling out if needed. Safety first and a cell phone could be my only way of reaching my child if necessary or them me. Maybe I feel this way because we live in a large city where things happen. But think that is the way of life now.

I sometimes wonder what I did before I had a cell phone. I know I personally would not want to go back to racing around looking for a pay phone when I'm on the road and I would hate to find out that a meeting after school was canceled and my daughter was standing alone outside with no means to call me because suddenly the school refuses her to have a cell phone to call me for a ride. Standing alone outside or even in a group isn't always a safe thing to do.

[dgridley]

Cell phones dealt the final blow to the pay phone industry IMO.. I don't know of a single pay phone in my town (maybe at the hospital, I dunno).

I don't own a cell phone because I have no real use for one.. used to have one for texting and the rare call but no more.

Originally Posted by pk

I sometimes wonder what I did before I had a cell phone. I know I personally would not want to go back to racing around looking for a pay phone when I'm on the road and I would hate to find out that a meeting after school was canceled and my daughter was standing alone outside with no means to call me because suddenly the school refuses her to have a cell phone to call me for a ride. Standing alone outside or even in a group isn't always a safe thing to do.

[Blue Baboon]

I don't think they should have cell phones in the classroom. What they do in between classes or at lunch is ok, but not in class. This was also a big problem in my college classes. Cell phones were to be turned off during class and used in the hallway only. Students wouldn't always follow the rules either. The students were amazed that I could survive without a cell phone everywhere. I wasn't in class to talk on the phone, geez.

Same with laptops. Students were supposed to have those closed during the lecture time. There was one girl that spent the whole time downloading music while she sat in the front row. The teacher never said anything. She'd have the laptop plugged into the wall and I don't know how many times one of us tripped on the cord. She still kept it up. If I was the teacher, I'd be slapping that laptop shut. It wasn't even a class that required a computer.

[keith]

Funny thing is that they had to call the cops.

The teacher can't simply take it away. Can't touch the student. Lawsuit city. So the cops have to appear. That's a shame.

Having the phone for before and after school or an emergency is fine...but no way the teacher should have to compete with phones, PDAs, etc., during class.

Regards,
Keith

[dgridley]

I agree.. phones should have to stay in the lockers during school hours or perhaps only used in a designated area during particular times.

I recall when I was in Catholic Military School.. there was no "calling the cops".. if you did something wrong, one of the Nuns was sure to pin your ears back a notch or two. Present day society has become so litiginous we have to be afraid to breath in the wrong direction where kids are concerned, in particular.

Originally Posted by keith

Funny thing is that they had to call the cops.

The teacher can't simply take it away. Can't touch the student. Lawsuit city. So the cops have to appear. That's a shame.

Having the phone for before and after school or an emergency is fine...but no way the teacher should have to compete with phones, PDAs, etc., during class.

Regards,
Keith

[pk]

I think texting is wrong in school, but cell phones when used properly can be very helpful in today's schools.

Let me rephrase what I wrote so that I may be more clear as to what I think..I think cell phones should be allowed in school, not banned....but in no way a cell phone should be on during class time.

My daughter is allowed a cell phone but it has to stay off or on silent except for lunch time when she can use it.

Sorry, I read this as if the cell phone should not be allowed in school at all. I think a cell phone is very necessary to keep track of our kids routine and needs as far as being picked up, and for their safety. Cells can be a very important asset IF used properly.

Texting in class, or talking on the phone to friends while walking down the halls between classes can be disruptive, distracting and wrong. Kids need to realize they are at school in a learning environment and respect that.

[pk]

I was wondering, why the Police was called instead of just bringing the student to the office and calling the parents to let them know the child was suspended from school?

Is there a reason to drag the student through our court system over what was clearly a school matter? I don't want to sound as if I think disobeying a teacher is not an important issue but to me if they are not threatening to harm another person then it should be a school/student/teacher/parent issue over being very disrespectful with a texting rule. Our court system is full enough, just call the parent and kick the kid out of school. Let the parent worry about how to take care of the child and let the court system take care of real issues.

Texting is wrong but to make it a legal issue because the student refuse to hand over a phone seems as if it is making the statement to the kids that the school has no real authority. They may not be able to touch a child to make them mind, but still show that the Principal has the power to have the student expelled and not have to show they have to call in the Police to do so.

Maybe I am use to the fact that our kids go to smaller charter style schools and I know the administration so I know if my child did something wrong, I would be called in while most schools are larger and has a lot more problems in them. Maybe administrations are getting tired of the issues?

[Kens Digital Media]

I also found this, this article explains what happened a little more:

Tosa East student arrested, fined for repeated texting - JSOnline

[pk]

Thanks Ken for adding this article that clearly shows more to the story. Sounds like this girl has been given many opportunities to follow the rules.

[Latina]

Originally Posted by pk

Unfortunately times have changed since days of going to school years ago. I think texting is wrong in school, but cell phones when used properly can be very helpful in today's schools.

Also, it is great to know that if something bad is going down at the school I can find out through my kids with them texting me or calling out if needed. Safety first and a cell phone could be my only way of reaching my child if necessary or them me. Maybe I feel this way because we live in a large city where things happen. But think that is the way of life now.

I sometimes wonder what I did before I had a cell phone. I know I personally would not want to go back to racing around looking for a pay phone when I'm on the road and I would hate to find out that a meeting after school was canceled and my daughter was standing alone outside with no means to call me because suddenly the school refuses her to have a cell phone to call me for a ride. Standing alone outside or even in a group isn't always a safe thing to do.

I agree, they shouldnt be texting in class, BUT Whether allowed or not allowed (as a rule), There will still be kids with phones in the schools & thank god for that! I've read more than once how they have been used to reach help during a school shooting, hostage or whatever situation.

I would hate to go back in time, as in before cell phones, that would sooo suck... It sure makes life much easier in my world... to ALWAYS have access to my kids by just reaching in my pocket & calling them... i have always made sure my kids have their phones on them 100% of the time, not that they would ever leave home without it anyway LOL But in case of emergency make sure it's handy, if i call, answer me & if you ever need me or just want to talk CALL ME! there is no excuse not to with a phone in your pocket!

My son texts on average 900-1100 times per month, i'm sure most of those are during school & work, he will be done with school next month & i'm sure while he is in bed recovering from surgery it will become double the average. Oh well... their kids!

[Latina]

Originally Posted by dgridley

Cell phones dealt the final blow to the pay phone industry IMO.. I don't know of a single pay phone in my town (maybe at the hospital, I dunno).

I don't own a cell phone because I have no real use for one.. used to have one for texting and the rare call but no more.

I dont know anyone who would trade a cell phone for payphones to become more common... i know i'd never give up mine... Payphones are few & far between everywhere i think, which is not a bad thing IMO

[Latina]

Originally Posted by dgridley

I agree.. phones should have to stay in the lockers during school hours or perhaps only used in a designated area during particular times.

They actually do have that rule here, phones only allowed in lockers... which is pointless in the case of an emergency...

They took my sons away after it fell out of his backpack (last school year) in class, not because he was using it, but because it was seen out of his locker... they sent me an email & said he would not be allowed the phone till after the school year was complete, therefore they were informing me in case i wanted to shut down the service LOL (there were several months left of the year), AS IF that was gonna fly...

I went into the school & asked if he was caught using the phone in class, they explained how it fell from his bag when he was digging for a pencil & the teacher seen it, however they are only allowed in the locker or outside so they took it... I explained that the bill comes in my name & i demand my phone... don't give me that crap, YES he broke a rule of not leaving it in his locker (or his car) however i handed the phone back to my son (in front of the school officer) & informed them that he also has a rule by ME & that is to keep the phone within reach at all times, in his bag NOT his locker.

He knows not to break important rules, this rule is just pathetic to me (keep it in locker where it does no good in case of emergency), I simply told him "dont use it in class, but keep it close always".

[pk]

I dont know anyone who would trade a cell phone for payphones to become more common... i know i'd never give up mine... Payphones are few & far between everywhere i think, which is not a bad thing IMO

Well stated.

I can understand if someone simply doesn't have much of life outside of the person's home, no children, job or whatever or maybe not be able to afford a cell phone but for those of us that lead a busy life and/or has kids to keep up with I think a cell phone is a huge necessity. I have no idea how I went without one before. Not as important as my computer, but right up there. I would hate to have to go back to running home to catch a phone call, or finding a phone somewhere to find out I don't have enough change, or not catch a call from one of my kids when they need me.

[Latina]

Originally Posted by pk

Well stated.

I can understand if someone simply doesn't have much of life outside of the person's home, no children, job or whatever or maybe not be able to afford a cell phone but for those of us that lead a busy life and/or has kids to keep up with I think a cell phone is a huge necessity. I have no idea how I went without one before. Not as important as my computer, but right up there. I would hate to have to go back to running home to catch a phone call, or finding a phone somewhere to find out I don't have enough change, or not catch a call from one of my kids when they need me.

ditto... i would hate to go back to those days.

Not just for necessity, but i like ordering my pizza on the ride home from work or calling to see if my prescription is ready while i walk the isle of the grocery store next door, saving a second trip out of the house.

My job involves being on call one week per month & weekends that i chose to make some extra cash being on call, which means they could call me anytime day or night if a sick patient needs blood work or whatever & i'd have to rush in... I would HATE to sit home waiting on their calls!

Heck i use it for everything work & home related.

[dgridley]

Of course cell phones are wonderful when needed. I was just pointing out that we no longer have pay phones because of the advent of the cell phone and we all got along fairly well before the cell phone (or the computer, for that matter) was invented.

I used my cell phone all the time when I traveled or when I had people to keep in touch with via text but I have also seen people literally addicted to using their cell phone. One of my neighbors can't last 5 mins without texting someone. We once drove to the next town for a movie and his phone never left his hand thru the drive, the movie, dinner afterward, and the drive back.

[keith]

Originally Posted by Latina

They actually do have that rule here, phones only allowed in lockers... which is pointless in the case of an emergency...

They took my sons away after it fell out of his backpack (last school year) in class, not because he was using it, but because it was seen out of his locker... they sent me an email & said he would not be allowed the phone till after the school year was complete, therefore they were informing me in case i wanted to shut down the service LOL (there were several months left of the year), AS IF that was gonna fly...

I went into the school & asked if he was caught using the phone in class, they explained how it fell from his bag when he was digging for a pencil & the teacher seen it, however they are only allowed in the locker or outside so they took it... I explained that the bill comes in my name & i demand my phone... don't give me that crap, YES he broke a rule of not leaving it in his locker (or his car) however i handed the phone back to my son (in front of the school officer) & informed them that he also has a rule by ME & that is to keep the phone within reach at all times, in his bag NOT his locker.

He knows not to break important rules, this rule is just pathetic to me (keep it in locker where it does no good in case of emergency), I simply told him "dont use it in class, but keep it close always".

Good for you. Sounds like something I would do.

Originally Posted by dgridley

Of course cell phones are wonderful when needed. I was just pointing out that we no longer have pay phones because of the advent of the cell phone and we all got along fairly well before the cell phone (or the computer, for that matter) was invented.

I used my cell phone all the time when I traveled or when I had people to keep in touch with via text but I have also seen people literally addicted to using their cell phone. One of my neighbors can't last 5 mins without texting someone. We once drove to the next town for a movie and his phone never left his hand thru the drive, the movie, dinner afterward, and the drive back.

That is an addiction - and very rude.

Regards,
Keith

[CindyLouWho]

Originally Posted by dgridley

Of course cell phones are wonderful when needed. I was just pointing out that we no longer have pay phones because of the advent of the cell phone and we all got along fairly well before the cell phone (or the computer, for that matter) was invented.

I used my cell phone all the time when I traveled or when I had people to keep in touch with via text but I have also seen people literally addicted to using their cell phone. One of my neighbors can't last 5 mins without texting someone. We once drove to the next town for a movie and his phone never left his hand thru the drive, the movie, dinner afterward, and the drive back.

I think it's a little different out in the "boonies" where we live. There are still pay phones in a few towns around us. I think some of them have them mainly for the Amish to use. At my son's former high school only about a fourth of the kids have cell phones so there is a free pay phone in the cafeteria for the students to use if they need to but it only allows local calls to be made from it. The students can carry their cell phones but can't use them during school or they will have them taken away until the end of the day. The school is in the middle of no where so the kids need ways to contact parents for rides, etc. As far as I know there haven't been any incidents to change their policy regarding cell phones yet.

We bought my son a cell phone when he was a senior in high school because he had to go to college in the morning (his school ran out of Math classes for him) and then to his high school which was 8 miles away. For safety reasons we felt he needed a way of contacting us in case of an emergency. Now that he is in college, he only uses it to call us and a couple of his friends and he has never used it for texting. He talks to his friends via Facebook more than he uses his cell phone but lately he is too busy because of classes and working to do that very much.

My mom swore she'd never have a cell phone either, but we recently got her one because we worried about her being outside and falling or something. She walks every where she goes and now she carries it with her every time she is outside for any reason. It's one less thing we have to worry about that way.

[dgridley]

Yeah, he gets invited over a lot less often..

Originally Posted by keith

That is an addiction - and very rude.

Regards,
Keith

Cell coverage around here can be spotty and depends on the carrier. One cell I had would not work at all in two towns in Oklahoma.. there are huge dead sections in Nebraska too. If you're outside of town you may as well forget it. I used to joke that if we broke down I'd have to walk to town so I could use the cell phone.