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Mother of Four wrote on Dec 5, 2008 3:17 PM:

" Have you ever been on an airplane when they make the announcement, "Please turn off all cellphones?" I always am interested in the passengers who sneakily disregard this request. They would risk scrambling the pilot's radio transmissions and the safety of the plane, just to have their phone in working order. This kind of passive defiance is everywhere in our society and I'm sure the schools bear the brunt of it. Our motto is, "I do what I want!" "

Substitute Teacher wrote on Dec 5, 2008 3:10 PM:

" Accountability! Why would you assume that I did nothing? I politely asked the student to place his phone on the teacher's desk and later turned it in to the principal. I was prepared for the student to act out, but he was very decent about it, and a little sheepish. Unfortunately, teachers are no longer able to bring kids in after school to make up the work he had missed. (He had to catch the bus.) A verbal quiz on the material covered (He failed.) and a little talking-to in the hall was pretty much the end of it. When he gets a new phone for Christmas, will he try using it for texting during class? Probably. YOU ARE EXPECTING SCHOOL STAFF TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT CALL ON EACH INDIVIDUAL CELLPHONE CASE AND INCLUDE SOME KIND OF MEANINGFUL LIFE LESSON ALONG WITH IT. WHAT IS NEEDED IS A CONCISE, STANDARDIZED POLICY, SCHOOL EMPLOYEES THAT WILL ENFORCE IT, AND PARENTS THAT WILL SUPPORT IT, because cellphone use at school is detrimental to students' learning. It's like a hyped-up techie version of passing notes in class, and whether you are writing the note or receiving the note, there's no way you can be paying attention to the teacher. "

Observer wrote on Dec 5, 2008 12:45 PM:

" Hey "accountability", it is not a teachers job to teach your kids about character, respect and those types of things. Sure a good teacher will contribute to those things, but that responsibility falls on the parent. Unfortunately most parents want to be a friend rather than a parent who disciplines. Even though I am not a huge fan of Mr. Heleker, I applaude this decision. Kids are so addicted to there cell phones, they can't function without texting or calling someone. And parents are just as bad. My stepson's mother texts him multiple times a day for absolutely nothing. It's rather disturbing. She also condones him keeping his phone on his person, rather than in his locker as he is suppose to. Teachers should not have to deal with that. "

Not that long ago wrote on Dec 5, 2008 10:43 AM:

" Accountability: Ya know it was all I could do yesterday to not write the exact same thing that you did! You are so right on and why people cannot figure this out just kills me! I would like to know what if any action was taken by this teacher after he/she observed the problem. "

accountability wrote on Dec 5, 2008 9:42 AM:

" Re:substitute. If you saw what you described... then why did you not do something about it? I also love your I don't want to take any responsibility for their "character" training! Opps..your lack of action and you thinking that you are not instilling any type of character training speaks loads! Kids learn mostly not but what we say...but mostly by what we do! So if you do nothing..then you infact are endorsing some type of character training. It is clear that the thought of incorporating "self-dicipline and accountability" is a far stretch for you! This attitude is exactly why our schools are in the mess they are today. You want to foist it back on the parents...well hello...these kids spend most of their waking hours with you......punishing someone simply because they have in their possession a cell phone is simply rediculous. Not taking action when you catch them using it in class...unacceptable! "

Substitute Teacher wrote on Dec 3, 2008 11:38 PM:

" So, 'Accountability,' I don't get it. What is your suggestion for dealing with this cell phone situation? You seem to be proposing that we "teach" accountibility and self-discipline. You mean with regular little character development lessons? That's going to take a chunk out of the academic day. And, besides, aren't parents in charge of character development? Meanwhile, just what are teachers supposed to do about cell phone disruptions? The other day I noticed a kid right in the front row, seemingly engaged in class activities, but actually he was a little distracted-- texting his girlfriend with his hands out of sight in a sweatshirt pocket? Did you know they could do that--text without looking at the keyboard or the screen? I was impressed by his skill, but a half hour of teaching time had been wasted. "

reresponse to accountability wrote on Dec 2, 2008 10:08 PM:

" No, you missed the point. How does banning cell phones teach our children self-control and dicipline? Or better yet, at what point will they have learned it? This issue has been a problem perpetuated since they were much younger. I am the last one that has to be reminded of the behavior of our youth. I am absolutely flabbergasted when I see how they interact with one another in public outside of school hours. But we spend so much time telling our kids what they can't do (enforcing it)that we spend little time with them doing what we (they) can. So rather then teach them the proper use, respect, self-control and dicipline...we just ban it all together...I also disagree with you on the workplace. Integrity is everything...if you will cheat on the little things (like talking on your cell phone or texting during workhours against policy) then how can you be trusted on the big things????? You will get fired and they need to know that! "

Re accountability wrote on Dec 2, 2008 5:01 PM:

" I believe that you are missing the point. When an employee gets in trouble at work ie. texting at work, the employer is able to fire them. Schools are not allowed to fire students. There are rules to be followed and this is a good one. The sad thing is that not all students are texting, but some are, and that is the reason that the entire school needs this policy. Maybe we should just fire them, send them on their way, and see how much uproar that causes. Good Job PHS! "

Jim wrote on Dec 2, 2008 1:47 PM:

" Way to go Mr. Heleker! I knew that PHS would improve under his direction. When my son was at PHS he complained about how strict Mr. Heleker was but at the same time had great respect for him. Sounds like a good combination to me. "

WAY to GO wrote on Dec 2, 2008 11:11 AM:

" As a substitute and a parent of three, PHS your on the right track. Parents wake up. I think that every parent should spend One week in the teachers chair. ONE WEEK! and you will have a idea of what type of Job our teachers have on their hands. Kids are horrible to deal with now days and its the PARENTS FAULT. I have been out of school for 12 years and times have changes. The disrespect for authority, the disruptions in the classrooms, the way kids dress, talk, have sex, TEXT on cell phone. Parents your kids are running circles around you and you dont even know it. They delete their Text messages there for you have no Idea what they are saying, doing or sending. I have seen most of your childs text messages and its funny because every parent says, oh not my CHILD, well yeah guess what its your CHILD. So please wake up, spend some time in the classrooms see how hard the teachers have it, and then lets see if you complain. "

JIM P. wrote on Dec 1, 2008 3:36 PM:

" IF WE HELD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS THEN IT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. GET CAUGHT USING THEM IN THE CLASS RESULTS IN A DETENTION, AGAIN SUSPENSION, AGAIN EXPULSION.. PRETTY SIMPLE.. @ WORK.. USE IT ONCE WARNED, USE IT TWICE SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY, USE IT AGAIN YOUR STEALING FORM THE COMPANY SO YOUR FIRED.. LET THEM PREPARE FOR THE REAL THING..

THAT IS ALONG THE LINES OF A TRUANCY.. GET CAUGHT BEING TRUANT FROM SCHOOL, YOU GET SUSPENDED. SO FOR NOT GOING TO SCHOOL YOU WILL REWARD THE STUDENT BY NOT "LETTING" THEM GO TO SCHOOL.. WAY TO GO PHS. NO WONDER WHY YOUR THE ABSOLUTE JOKE OF THE COUNTY. "

Substitute Teacher wrote on Nov 30, 2008 11:05 PM:

" I have subbed in both Payette and Fruitland, and had to deal with the cellphone issue in both places. These kids are addicted to instant communication and taking away the phone is like cutting off an arm. The parents are just as bad. Call the school office and leave a message for your child? Oh no, that would not be satisfactory at all. I must speak DIRECTLY with my child to tell him that he has an orthodontist appointment today, regardless of the fact that the ringtone disrupts the whole class. Really, folks, most of our area schools have classroom phones for emergencies. If your school doesn't, that's something your schoolboard needs to look into. Cell phones do not belong in school. "

accountability wrote on Nov 30, 2008 10:57 AM:

" I find it odd that in an age of advanced technology and declining test scores...that we must ban certain objects from ones possession. I also find it interesting that cell-phones are not allowed anywhere on school property. Wow, little over stretch there. Now, these kid are suppose to be preparing for their real adult life. Or at least that is what HS used to be. So, taking perfectly legal objects and banning them "is not teaching anyone accountability! These kids will be leaving HS and going into the workforce (we hope). I am not aware of employers (except high security institutions) that will restrict the possession of electronics. I do know that employers will "let you go" if you violate policy and use their time for your personal use! So, what are we really teaching these kids by banning the phones on school property? I don't think that a student that can exercise self control and follow the rules should be deprived of their phones. Those who can not leave their phones off or secured in their lockers during class time should be dealt with! Oh, and the parents won't be at the work place to monitor the student. Also, a comment in reference to the paddle with holes...physical punishment at this age will do little to change their behavior patterns. In addition, I would like to save the floggings for more serious issues....We did this to ourselves, don't make the kids out to be the bad guys, and for sure don't make the parents out to be co-conspiritors....we could use many arguments for against have a cellphone in the school. But what are we doing to teach accountablity and self-discipline? "

Teresa wrote on Nov 29, 2008 8:33 PM:

" I have a teenage son that has a cell phone and an Ipod. I don't allow him to take his Ipod to school at all unless he will be going on an away sports trip or other field trip. His cell phone he is to leave in his locker at all times and I wouldn't let him take it either, but we do not live in town and he needs to be able to call after practice, and it is convenient for him to have his phone to do that, although it really isn't necessary. However, even though he is to leave his phone in his locker, I took his phone twice last year, because I found out he was texting during class, he still got it taken last spring by a teacher and I refused to go pick it up for him until the last day of school (which ended up being almost two months with no phone). I absolutely agree with the kids being taught respect at home and do everything in my power at home to make sure that my kids are very respectful not only with me but with others as well. The truth of the matter is, we cannot stand behind our children while they are in class and look over their shoulder to make sure that they are being respectful and refusing the urge to text their friends in class. We can all tell our children not to let peer pressure run their lives, and hope that they don't succumb to it, but they all want to fit in. If Ontario decides to follow in Payettes footsteps, I would back them, like others have said we used to survive without cellphones, before we had them, we can do it again. "

Teacher wrote on Nov 26, 2008 4:03 PM:

" It might be more effective to take the paddle to the electronics, instead of their butts. "

Payette Resident wrote on Nov 25, 2008 7:10 PM:

" I commend the school board for their decision. WAY TO GO !!!!!!!!! "

Not that long ago wrote on Nov 25, 2008 3:39 PM:

" Here is an idea. Why dont we paddle there butt in front of the class for the first offense and I dont mean any little swat either! Full blown butt lifter with a paddle that has holes in it just like they use to do. Second offense they are kicked out of school for a week and third offense they are expelled and can take the class over next year. What happend to the day where if you got in trouble at school you knew it was going to be ten times worse when you got home???? It just amazes me that our teachers have to deal with half the crap they do. "

Teacher wrote on Nov 25, 2008 2:59 PM:

" I have 36 students in the class. Assuming that it takes me 30 seconds to deal with each cell phone or I-pod, that's still 18 minutes of my class time down the drain. Yes, it would be nice if the students had more respect. However, most do not. There have been absolutely zero times in my teaching career that something urgent enough to require a student to use a cellphone has happened.

The "take them away for the day, pick them up from the principal" attitude doesn't seem to work. Today, I still had to take away six of them. "

Karen P wrote on Nov 25, 2008 2:18 PM:

" Another problem is that many times it is the parent trying to call the student. Parents then complain about the school and how their kids aren't learning - maybe they need to be held accountable for the way their children are behaving - "

Karen P wrote on Nov 25, 2008 2:14 PM:

" Obviously the author of this article was busy texting in class when they should have paid attention - "principle" when it refers to the head of a school is spelled "principal" - don't you people have editors? "

Been there-done that wrote on Nov 25, 2008 9:26 AM:

" Teachers have a full time job just trying to teach, without having to be on constant surveillance for students slipping their phone out of their pocket to text someone. Many kids are compliant, but there will be those who will not follow any rule set about cell phones, and I can predict that their parent will be the most vocal in protesting when they have to come in and pick up the phone. There is NO reason ANY student needs a cell phone on school property during school hours. There are phones in the office if they absolutely need to make a call between 8 and 3, or if their parent needs to talk with them. Way to go, Payette, and I hope all the schools in this valley follow in your steps. "

yeah wrote on Nov 25, 2008 5:58 AM:

" Payette had a kid come shoot up the high school in the late eighties. They didnt have cell phones then and did just fine. "

Concerned Parent wrote on Nov 24, 2008 9:14 PM:

" Well, since what I wrote has gotten your attention it's too bad that you didn't read what I wrote. I am not saying that I am for or against the ban of the electronic devices. What it comes down to is respect. RESPECT for themselves and the RESPECT for others. Have respect for the teachers and the staff. When the child is asked to put something away, down or otherwise - it should occur. Yes, I have children - one teen and one preteen. They both have cell phones and they both have ipods. So, what is the point there? I don't have the issue of calling my children for dinner and have the ipod or cell phone in tow. My children have respect for their parents, teachers, coaches and any other person of authority. My children were/are being raised with knowledge of the right and wrong, to have respect and know when they don't there is a consequence that will follow. Now when there is the respect we wouldn't be talking about a ban at all. Oh, by the way I wouldn't say that it's a vivid imagination but more like reality. As far as the whole "children" statement. Yes, you are right some of them are children and then there are the students that are 18 years of age and being treated the same as the others - so where is the fairness there? To me it does not matter your age - it's a case of plain RESPECT. Now, I ask the question of are the teachers and other staff being held to this ban as well. Don't you dare tell me that they don't text or listen to ipods - because that is an out and out lie. But, thank you for your insight but you have me pegged wrong. (and where did I say I was a female?) "

HRL wrote on Nov 24, 2008 12:26 PM:

" I have been looking through the constitution and I can't find anywhere that says that the right to text-messaging in class shall not be abridged. Give me a break "concerned parent." School shootings were happening 30 years ago when I was in high school. No one had ever heard of a cell phone then much less a text message. We survived! If you let children, that's what they are, children, have these devices on their person, the temptation to abuse that privilege is too great. Problems will persist that far outweigh any miniscule benefit that may accrue from the presence of the devices. If you had ever been in a school filled with 800 students with cell phones you would understand. If you need to get in contact with your child, call the office. My experience is that most of the so called emergencies that parents need to get in touch with their child over are hardly what a normal person would call and emergency. Come on Ontario. Step up and follow this sterling example set forth by Payette. "

Get a life wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:46 AM:

" To the "concerned parent" that thinks she has "lost her freedom to the government" just because her kids can't use cell phones at school, I say get a life. For a hundred years before cell phones were invented schools did just fine in contacting kids in case of an emergency. They can do so again. If you are worried about shooters in the Payette High School library, then I say you have way too vivid an imagination. You need to worry more about aliens coming and abducting you see it there is intelligent life on earth.
Now, lets talk about parents being responsible for teaching their child respect. I assume you are a parent, tell me when the last time you told your child to put away their ipod and come to dinner?

If these kids were held accountable for their actions by parents, then this ban would not be necessary. My bet is that school officials tried that last year and it didn't work so now they have to resort to this ban. Why is it that everytime kids get low marks on state tests or report cards, the school is accused of being unsatisfactory, but when schools try to deal with things that disrupt the learning process and contributes to poor student academic progress, concerned parents want to attack the schools. "

Concerned Parent wrote on Nov 23, 2008 12:45 PM:

" This is all good on paper and maybe in first verbal thought, but when it really comes down to an emergency I am very concerned. The school districts here and just across the border with Oregon have all got the same line of thinking. I have come to realize that there are A LOT of community members that have not been too far away from home. I have lived in serval different areas in my life and have attended schools in some of those places. One high school I attended was a pretty scary place. We had armed guards in the parking lots, we had all the doors chained and locked, to get in or out of the school after the bell rang you had to go through a checkpoint. It was a two story building and there were certain stairwells that you just didn't enter. Now that was where you had to be real careful about the colors of clothes and the weapons that kids were packing. We have had situations in high schools and colleges in some states that thought the staff and board were on the right track. In those schools were kids on the attack with killings. Now, as a concerned parent and having children in the school I would want my children to have immediate access to the outside in case of something like the Columbine issue. Think about it - the kids are in the library and someone comes in and starts shooting - your kid is tucked in behind a shelf of books and can't make a way to the office for an emergency phone call - what is the child to do -- well, they could get on the phone and call for help - in that option even having the phone with an open call whomever is on the other end could hear what is happening on the other end. Not too mention all cell phones have a GPS signal that follows - so dispatch knows exactly where that call is coming from. So, let's take this matter out of the hands of the school and put it back into the hands of where it belongs - THE PARENT! Parents need to be responsible as much as the child does. Teach the child respect and the right and wrong of the electronic devices. If there is an issue let the parent deal with it. And then as far as the student being disrespectful in class and using these things in class -- where is the teacher in all of this? I thought that the teacher was the adult not the student? This is just my opinion and thank goodness I still have that right! Someday we (citizens of the United States of America) are going to very sorry that we turned our fredom over to the government and loose our rights. "

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