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Cellular phones invade grade schoolsMar 11, 2009 (Effingham Daily News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- As kids become increasingly connected to technology, discipline codes at Effingham Unit 40 must evolve, constantly undergoing revision to tackle the influx of cell phone, iPods and hand-held game instruments into the schools. During the school district's annual discipline code review Tuesday afternoon, Superintendent Dan Clasby pointed out the technology invasion is not limited to the high school. Now, the problem of cell phones and other technology devices have infiltrated the lower-level schools as well. "That's a problem that trickled down to the junior high and even to Central. We've got to keep ahead of it," Clasby said. Last year, Effingham High School's Student Council suggested an increase in punishment for disruptive cell phone use. The school board agreed to the recommendation and students caught with a cell phone during school hours lose the phone for a specific number of days and must pay a fine to get the phone back. Effingham High School Assistant Principal Jason Fox told the committee there were 25 confiscated phones being held on his desk that day, a routine occurrence. Committee members for the junior high and high school, however, suggested adding language to the code outlining cell phone confiscation that would allow students to lock the phones to protect confidential information. Cell phone problems once limited to the high school or junior high have now trickled down to the grade school level, including kindergarten. The preschool and kindergarten committee suggested adding a statement in the discipline stating cell phones and handheld electronic games "will not be allowed" at school. The suggestions for changes to the discipline codes will go before the Unit 40 Board of Education for final approval. Another issue that began at the upper-level schools now invading the lower levels revolves around the dress code. Inappropriate saying on T-shirts have been banned at the upper-level grades for a number of years, but now T-shirt slogans are becoming a problem with the younger set as well. Although the sayings on younger children's T-shirts have less to do with gangs, alcohol and drugs, which was the case in high school, and more to do with statements that undermine the mission of education. South Side/West Side Principal Amy Niebrugge said shirts with sayings like "Homework is stupid" or "I'm a troublemaker" may look cute in a store but do not belong in a school. The grade school committee agreed that a section banning such clothing should be added to the discipline code. Clothing issues are a constant at the high school level, but that issue evolves as well. Now, the problems center around inappropriate blouses and low-slung jeans. "We are having a real issue with how low-cut blouses are and also with young men and their belts, wearing no belts or nonfunctioning belts," Fox said. Committee members agreed the discipline code should include guidelines for low-cut shirts and language requiring students whose pants are riding below the hips or waste line to wear a belt. Angie Faller can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or [email protected]. To see more of the Effingham Daily News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://effinghamdailynews.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Effingham Daily News, Ill. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |