BRENHAM ISD CRACKING DOWN ON CELL PHONE USAGE
Brenham ISD is tightening its restrictions on cell phones heading into the new school year.
On Monday, trustees reviewed changes in the student handbook for the 2024-25 academic year, specifically pertaining to the use of personal cell phones.
Summarizing the changes, Chief of Staff Christine Johnson said students will not be able to use a cell phone or other personal telecommunication device, like AirPods, at any time in the instructional day, not just in the classroom.
One of the changes in the handbook removes a disclaimer that allowed students to use cell phones if they were being used for approved instructional purposes. The handbook now states that students are still permitted to have their phones for safety purposes, but they must be turned off during the instructional day and during all testing.
The other major adjustment refers to if a student uses a device without authorization during the school day. The handbook states that the device will be confiscated, but now, only a parent, not the student, can pick up the confiscated device from the principal’s office for a $15 fee. If the device is not retrieved, it can be disposed of 30 days after notifying the family.
Johnson said some children will need exceptions from the policy, such as special education students, for accessibility purposes.
Superintendent Clay Gillentine said district administrators have been very supportive of the increased restrictions, at times even offering their own suggestions for how infractions could be used to benefit students that follow the rules.
Board members were generally in favor of the tighter rules. Trustee Kyle Hafner said families need to know that the district will be strict with this, as it is a serious problem. He said he is comfortable with allowing a grace period, but administrators have to be black and white on the issue with everyone.
Board Secretary Kelvin Raven said this will be an uphill battle, calling cell phones an addiction. He asked if employees will be held to the same standard, adding that there could be pushback from students and parents if there is not consistent enforcement. Johnson replied that employees who are in the classroom must be actively engaged with students, but she is willing to have a larger discussion on restrictions for staff.
Trustee Tommie Sullivan said this will be tough starting out and could put added pressure on administrators. He said it can work, but consistency must be a priority, otherwise the district will be “spinning our wheels.”
Trustee Archer Archer said substitute teachers need to be aware of these changes, and Trustee Bonnie Brinkmeyer cautioned that students are savvy and may try to find ways around the rules.
Board President Natalie Lange said if students see that the district is serious about this, it should lead to improved discipline and performance. Board Vice President Jared Krenek believes this is a good first step, and that if it does not work, the district can impose tougher policies if necessary.
I love it! It is so simple, follow the no cell phone rule during the instructional day and times, and there will be not consequences!
Here are 10 reasons why cell phones should not be banned in high school classrooms:
Educational Resource: Smartphones can serve as powerful educational tools, providing access to a wealth of information and learning apps that can enhance the classroom experience.
Digital Literacy: Allowing cell phones in the classroom helps students develop digital literacy skills, which are crucial in today’s technology-driven world.
Engagement and Participation: Interactive educational apps and platforms can increase student engagement and participation, making learning more dynamic and interactive.
Instant Research: Students can use their phones to look up information instantly, facilitating quicker learning and the ability to delve deeper into subjects being taught.
Emergency Communication: In case of emergencies, students can quickly reach out to their parents or emergency services, ensuring their safety.
Organizational Tools: Phones come equipped with calendars, reminders, and note-taking apps that help students stay organized and manage their assignments and deadlines.
Collaboration: Mobile devices allow students to collaborate on projects and assignments through various communication and productivity apps, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Learning at Own Pace: Students can use their phones to review lessons, watch educational videos, or practice skills at their own pace, catering to individual learning needs.
Access to E-Books and Online Resources: Many textbooks and resources are available in digital formats, which can be accessed via smartphones, reducing the need to carry heavy books.
Fostering Responsibility: Allowing cell phone use in the classroom can teach students responsible usage and self-regulation, preparing them for professional environments where mobile devices are common.
It’s delusional to think the average student is doing these things for more than 3% of the time they spend on their phone in class. Despite the potential for productivity that cell phones can offer, the reality is they are a huge distraction from learning for the majority of students. Most of the time that kids spend on a phone in class is to: text friends, scroll social media, watch videos for entertainment, play games, and cheat on assignments. I have been a classroom teacher for 25 years so I do have experience in this area. I have a strict policy that phones can only be used in certain circumstances for educational purposes. Any other use will result in the phone being taken up. I’ve also spent a lot of time in the classrooms of other teachers with more relaxed cell phone policies and the result is that the students spend most of their time on their phone distracted from what they should be learning.
10 Reasons to ban/limit cell phones during school:
10. Social media
9. Social media
8. Social media
7. Social media
6. Social media
5. Social media
4. Social media
3. Social media
2. Social media
1. Bullying
504 Dad, you’re living in a utopian alter-reality. MOST – if not all – of the reasons you listed can be accomplished on their Chromebooks and laptops. Trust me – these are not what the kids use their phones for. And responsible usage and self-regulation??!! HA!! This isn’t the same world you and I grew up in. So now it’s the teachers’ responsibility to teach responsible usage and self-regulation as well? Nope – you can’t put that on the teachers. You need to understand that the reality is that kids generally don’t use their phones for educational purposes; rather, they use them for social media, texting, bullying, recording videos of bad behavior, and other self-promoting reasons.
I do agree in an emergency situation they should be able to contact their parents. And I’m sure if, God forbid, anything awful should happen on campus I don’t know an adult who would reprimand a student for calling out to their parents or 911. Other than that, there’s no reason to have the phones out. Everything they can do on their phone they can do on their computer – that I think the district even supplies to them!!
Hi Everyone,
Here are 10 reasons to not allow cell phone usage in the classroom:
1) Distraction: Cell phones can be a significant distraction in the classroom, leading students to lose focus on their lessons and
assignments.
2) Disruption: Incoming calls, text messages, and notifications can disrupt the flow of lessons and discussions, interrupting both
teachers and students.
3) Cheating: Cell phones can be used for cheating on tests and quizzes by accessing unauthorized information or
communicating with others.
4) Social Media: Students may use cell phones to access social media platforms during class time, which can divert their
attention away from learning.
5) Bullying: Cell phones can be tools for cyberbullying, as hurtful messages, photos, or videos can be shared easily among
students.
6) Sleep Disruption: Students may use cell phones late at night, impacting their sleep patterns and consequently their ability to
concentrate in class.
7) Health Concerns: There are ongoing debates about the potential health effects of prolonged exposure to electromagnetic
radiation emitted by cell phones.
8) Classroom Management: Managing appropriate use of cell phones in class can be challenging for teachers, requiring
additional time and effort.
9) Inequity: Not all students may have access to the same type of cell phone or data plan, potentially creating disparities and
inequalities among students.
10) Encouraging Face-to-Face Interaction: Restricting cell phone use can encourage students to engage in face-to-face
interactions with peers and teachers, which can be beneficial for their social and communication skills.
Best wishes,
Gary D. Boetticher, PhD.
Associate Professor of Computer Science
University of Houston – Clear Lake
Wonderfully stated old neighbor!
A long time ago it was “smoking in the restrooms”. Now the restrooms will be packed with cell phone users. I applaud BISD’s efforts! Get ready for the pushback.
I personally don’t think a school board that can’t balance a check book should worry about anything except balancing that check book!
They should be balancing the checkbook but the district still has an obligation to educate our students. Students who stay on cell phones rather than participate in class will not be well-educated. This is a common sense policy that the school board is implementing. It’s actually amazing that there would be any opposition to our students learning while they are in school.
How can children respect the decision of anyone that can’t balance a check book. Fun fact our own Government can’t balance a check book either. Blind leading the blind has bad outcomes! Why? We all know that answer. My experience is kids that want to learn and succeed do those that don’t well they are left behind with their cell phones and social media! Do you really think this proposal on cell phones is going to make a huge impact? If it was it would already have been done. All I ask the board to do is stop wasting time and taxpayers money!
Steve, you are correct to ask how our kids can get behind a STATE LEADERSHIP that holds their futures hostage on behalf of a couple of mega-donor billionaires that own private schools. These so-called leaders would mortgage our kid’s futures for their personal gain. They’d gladly wipe out our local schools’ budgets, and they and their careerist cronies in the legislature have done exactly that to diminish school districts’ credibility in order to push for “reform”.
That shouldn’t diminish any of the good things that can be achieved by local governance here and now by local people in adherence with local values for the benefit of local kids. It used to be the case that conservative values were aligned with small government, local control, and DISCIPLINE in schools.
What happened to us? If the kids have lost their way, one way or the other it’s our fault collectively as a state and a community. We’ve lost sight of what it is to be conservative. We the adults need to reform ourselves. We must be better role models. It’s not easy and there is no place for whining. We cannot be afraid of doing hard work for a good cause. Our children and their families are always a good cause.
Agreed
Yes, it will be a tough fight because the schools have allowed the students to use their phones for years. My kids have told me that none of the teachers care if the kids are using their phone throughout the entire class period. (I’m also shocked at a lot of the other things the kids tell me the school allows, like some of the obscene music played over the PA system during passing period). I applaud the district for making this a priority, I only wonder why it had to be handed down by the school board and why the school administrators have allowed it to happen for so long. And I would expect pushback from the teachers, because I also know that many of them spend a lot of time on their phones, too.
There are numerous studies out to support this move. Kids are unable to think in the classroom because they are distracted by the mere presence of their phones and who or what might be showing up on it while in class. I whole heartily agree with this effort.
This was the rule when I was in school and I don’t see an issue with it. Education should be the priority during school hours.
I think this is a great idea. If there is a family emergency, someone can call the school office and the office can get the student out of class if needed (like the old days). Personally I think cell phones and social media have such a negative impact on learning, self esteem and developmental milestones for even small children.
OLD SCHOOL
Don’t forget “addiction”. I’ve seen what cell phones and social media can do to both kids and parents alike. Electronic devices contribute to many negative results.
I strongly question the legality of “The other major adjustment refers to if a student uses a device without authorization during the school day. The handbook states that the device will be confiscated, but now, only a parent, not the student, can pick up the confiscated device from the principal’s office for a $15 fee. If the device is not retrieved, it can be disposed of 30 days after notifying the family. ” I agree that students should be off their devices during the school day, however forcing a parent to take off work and then pay to get a device THEY OWN back seems wrong. I know many will disagree but punishing the parent for a student’s choices is not right. Why not come up with a penalty that will help the student learn to make better choices?
What about low income families? Isn’t there another alternative that’s inclusive but doesn’t involve money? 15$?! And what does that go towards? A student fund of some sort or back into the school? I’m all for reducing the phone usage but involving money doesn’t sit right, too many people are struggling right now.
But you bought a phone that cost more than $15!?!?!?
They do have free phones for low income households
Staying on a phone during school hours is a guarantee that a child will remain low income. You can’t use “low income” as an excuse for abandoning personal responsibility. If a child can afford a cell phone, they can afford the $15 fee if they make the choice to not follow the rules. My own teenagers have basic cell phones will no internet access, just calling and texting, and I can turn the texting off during the school day. They have no reason to be distracted by their cell phone during the school day and, as a result, they among the top 3% of students in their respective grades. They also have social lives and excel at athletics. Life is all about choices!
As a parent of a kid who will probably not have an issue with this, I am all for most of this. The exception i would make is the $15 charge to get the phone back. That does not fly for me. It will be enough if a pain as a parent to come get the phone that I will want to solve the issue with my kid. Putting a fee on what is my property is not right. I do not see how the school feels they have an authority to create a fine for this.
Isn’t this what happens when your car gets towed…… it may be yours, but you still have to pay to get it back because you didn’t follow the rules
Good job on this decision…be as strict as possible bc they are there to learn and cell phones are a huge distraction