Swartz Creek Michigan Schools Become More Tolerant of Cellphones

After the scares of MRSA and school violence issues recently in the news including a fire at a nearby school district, district officials are slowly accepting the possession of cellphones.

Cellphones and other communication devices were once the evil of school systems. Causing distractions and other activities involving cellphones, they were commonly linked to illegal activity among young people including drug deals. Many schools prohibited students from even carrying them.

After the 1999 Columbine shootings, the numbers of school violence has increased dramatically. Having these devices in the hands of young people may save a life or two, alerting authorities if the unthinkable happens.

Swartz Creek has integrated a new policy. Slowly building tolerance for the hand-held devices, they are allowing students to carry them. As long as they aren't playing with them during instructional times, they won't be taken away.

"Our new policy for cellphones is that we don't prohibit students from having them on them, they just are not allowed to use them in a classroom or on school grounds," says Chuck Beddell, assistant principal for the high school.

After the Michigan state lifted its ban on cellphones in educational facilities, and the ever increasing technology of them, the district was forced to redefine their policy on cellphone use. The state allows now schools to make up their own rules and most agree that as long as they don't interrupt the learning process, cellphones will be allowed to be carried.

However, allowing students to carry them also can mean bigger problems that just drug deals formerly associated with cellphones.

"Most cellphones have cameras built into them now, even the simplest of phones," freshman Jackie Valveros explains as she displayed her Motorola cellphone. "Kids can easily take pictures of each other in private areas such as locker rooms and message them phone to phone or to internet sites."

Aside the cameras, students who forget to put their phones on silent can become a ditraction. Other concerns include cheating by sending text messages to each other.

"Kids are always going to cheat, regardless. Cellphones are just another method," Jackie laughs.

The district however realizes the importance that cellphones may be the most effective way of communication during an emergency.

"Parents want to have contact with their children at all times nowadays," Mr. Beddell says. "Although students who abuse this policy will have their phones taken away and held until the parents come and pick them up."

Policies are regulated in the same manner other policies are enforced. Just as with attendance, multiple offenses can lead up to suspension.

"After the first offense, parents must have a meeting with an administrator such as myself before the phone will be returned. After that suspension occurs."

Rarely has the district had a three time offender of the cellphone policy.

"Over the years, the rate of confiscation goes down because cellphones are so common that they're just part of everyday life now. They're not carried just to be 'cool' " Beddell said.