Allow HCS middle school students to carry a cell phone
We, the undersigned, pledge our support for a change to Hampton City School policy. We want you to allow our middle school students to carry a cell phone to school such that it is available to them before and after school hours. Our students are riding HRT buses, walking & riding bikes to/from school, going to high schools after school for JV sports, and attending after-school clubs & events. We feel that cell phones are a vital communication tool for parents and students to coordinate daily schedules and to have available in case of emergency.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this request.
ALLOWING THE KIDS TO HAVE CELL PHONES IS EXTREMELY URGENT & NECESSARY !! THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES THAT MY CHILD'S BUS HAS BROKEN DOWN & I HAD NO IDEA OF WHERE MY CHILD WAS FOR HOURS ! AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORST THE SCHOOLS DON'T CALL THE PARENTS TO LET THEM KNOW WHATS GOING ON, SO IF MY CHILD HAD HIS CELL PHONE HE WOULD'VE CALLED ME & I WOULDN'T WORRY..
Thomas Eaton Middle School
I feel the policy should change as I currently allow my two children to carry their phones regardless. It has already come in handy on numerous occasions when being allowed to use the phone in the office or classroom would not have sufficed.
Syms Middle School
Jones Middle School
We have recently had a stranger lurking at the bus stop of middle schoold students in our neightborhood. These children should be allowed to have a cell phone for safety and emergency purposes.
My children do not attend hampton city schools anymore. We were considering returning to HCS this year as my oldest started middle school but items like this made us choose another school system.
As a parent of a middle school student I feel quite strongly that students should be allowed to utilize this vital component of technology. It is a safety issue. Given the risk benfit ratio comcerning cell phone use I think that it is an obvious choice to allow cell phones in middle and high schools.
Mary Peake Center
My daughter will be attending Jones Magnet Middle School for the 2009-2010 school year.
jones
Jones Magnet Middle School
Eaton Middle School
This policy that is currently in effect, does need to be revisited, and revised to allow the change in policy to allow our young students to bring their cell phones with them to school. However, the policy should also specify that the student must have it off during school time so that it does not annoy or bother other students and teachers while school is in progress. Also include a phrase that when student has completed school, they would be allowed to turn on their cell to call home or a friend for a ride be it after school or after a sporting event, etc... I used to have two boys that would ride the HRT to Eaton Middle from Buckroe, and no cell phone's allowed. I worried daily, and had one get stuck downtown HRT station and had to wait 45 minutes all by himself. I am fortunate now that they don't do that, and I have two daughters in elementary school that don't have to ride the HRT, but I know there are others that this effects. Please allow our children to take their cell phones, leave them off or lock them in their lockers until after school hours.
Syms middle school
I as a parent of a middle schooler that had communication issues on how they were suppose to get home found the cell phone a very useful tool. However if cell phones are an issue in classroom learning I do see why a parent should be notified as the behavior of the child. I also believe that a child with extra activites are responsible enough to have a cell phone.
I believe Middle School children should have a cell phone handy, but turned on before school and after school for emergency purposes only. The school bus lately are not that safe any more. Also, there are crazy people out on the streets.
To be used only in Emergency
I think a student that is responsible enough to carry a cell phone to school is responsible enough to have it turned off during school hours. It should only be used after hours only and to contact their parents, grandparents or sitters in case of an emergency. I am adament about my grandchildren being allowed to carry cell phones to school.
Jones MMS
My daughter will be attending Jones Magnet School for the 2009-2010 school year. She has been attending the Mary Peake Center since third grade.
I believe in the necessity for our children to be allowed to carry cell phones. In our economic society the need for both parents to work has become greater so the ease of communicating with our children if something has delayed our coming home or their coming home is essential.
Currently attends Mary Peak and will be at Jones starting 09-10 (the coming school year)
By NOT allowing children to have cell phones and hence, no policy aside from prohibition, the school board will be directly responsible for infractions and thus, disruptions to instruction because students WILL still carry them, and concerned parents will take the risk because we do not live in the same day and age as the majority of the board where it was safer for children, pay phones were in abundance, and there was more support for children before and after school. It is sad that 20% of middle schools do not allow this, and the schools don't realize that they are effectively encouraging these children to receive counsel from peers instead of from parents when issues do arise. They are also putting children at risk since they are unwilling to provide safer transportation options (bus stops closer to homes like the elementary grades or for extracurricular activities), but really quick to say that cell phone usage would cause distractions. Phones not only allow parents to stay in contact with their children who have to walk to and from bus stops or even school, but also allow parents to track their children in the event of an emergency. Middle school students definitely need to be allowed to carry cell phones.
Kecoughtan High School
Even though my child is no longer in middle school, I believe that children in middle school should be allowed to carry cell phones. The middle school my daughter attended had at least two convicted sex offenders living right across the street. She walked frequently and I would have been much happier if she had been able to carry her phone with her in case one of those creeps had tried to follow her!
I think cell phones in the off position should be allowed at school. However, there should be clear guidelines to students regarding consequences of violating the rules. Cell phones have been proven to valuable tools in emergency situations.
Syms Middle School
What about High School students? I believe the restrictions on cell phones is too controlled. The students are not given a chance to prove they can be responsible. The school board has too much control over the schools and their policies
With my son going to 6th grade next year, I am scared to think that this will not be an option for him. How can the school system justify making it harder to keep my boy safe, especially when they have no god substitute in place?
Machen Elementary
My son is currently at Elementary school, but will be attending Middle School next year. It is imperative that he and I stay in contact after school because he goes to an after school program. It's only in the best interest of the child to allow cell phones in case of an emergency.
My child attends Jones Magnet Middle School.
Jones Magnet Middle School
JB Cary elementary
my child will be in middle school next year and will be a walker.because of this she will definitely need a cell phone in case of emergencies. She will be well informed on the rules of when and when not to use her phone.WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PAY PHONES !!!!!!! alot of time the students are not allowed to make calls in the office at my other daughters high school. Cell phones seem to be the only answer.
My son attends Jones Middle School
My son catches the bus at 6:30 in the morning, which means some days I have to leave him at the bus stop which is just shy of one mile, because I have two other younger children at home who catch the bus at 7:10. And there have been SEVERAL times when the bus has broken down delaying my sons return home by 45 min. What happens when he makes a JV sports team and must travel to the high school and he needs to get a hold of me if his game is cancelled, practice is cancelled? Middle school should have the same policy as high school.....
This is a SAFETY issue. Anything that can be done to increase safety for our children should be agreed to.
My daughter attends Jones Magnet Middle School and rides the bus home. I feel very strongly that she should have a phone in case of emergency during or after her bus ride, or should her bus be late so I know what is happening and can act accordingly.
Cell phones should absolutely be kept OFF and IN LOCKERS during the school day. I am aware that they can be a problem if those rules are not abided by.
My grandaughters attend Tucker Capps Fundamental Elementary,and Jones Middle School
Jones Magnet
This change has been needed for several years.
DAVIS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Eaton Middle School
I believe if you allow them to carry them with the exception that they MUST be turned off, that there will be less sneaking around with them.
I believe cell phone usage should be allowed for middle schoolers for emergency purposes, as well as, to check-in with parents/caregivers for safety reasons. However, the school board should consider writing into policy limited usage during school time unless it is an emergency. We do not want this to distract students from their academic performance. Text messaging should not be allowed because students will text message one another throughout class. I agree students and parents need to have a form of communication throughout the day due to most parents working and traveling. Thank you Carlette Hattett PTA Member and Concerned Parent
I have 2 children at Eaton middle school one in 6th and one in 7th.
Currently we have a senior and a junior at Hampton High School, and a first grader at Armstrong Elem. Both of our older children attended Jones Magnet Middle School and played sports at KHS, while in middle school. It was imperative that they have communication with us because sometimes practices were canceled and they had to get in contact with us. Having a cell phone in middle school should not be the concern - children that cannot contact parents should be. School systems across the country/region do not have a cell phone ban and that policy does not seem to be interfering instructing our children.
Jones Middle School
Syms Middle School
Many middle school kids walk home. When Syms lets out the kids cross paths with high school kids fom Kecoughtan. They also walk by several HRT bus stops (not designated for student bus routes). It is safer to have kids have a cell phone in ase they are confronted by either older kids or stangers. If the students leave the cell phones OFF and in ther lockers, then they won't be a distraction in class.
Spratley Middle School
If a student in Middle School walks to or from school and they get attacked, they have no way of getting in contact for emergency purposes only and this would be the one reason why I would support the cell phone policy. The other reason would be for students who need to call their parent or guardian to pick them up from extracurricular activites after school.
Jones Magnet Middle School
Merrimack Elementary
Eaton Middle
Due to the fact, that my child was present in school during a bomb threat. The children were locked in and unable to notify parents. I later found out threw an email what had happened. Therefore, I feel that it is necessary for the children to be able to have their cell phones in school as long as it is on silent mode.
Daughter attends Tucker-Capps Elementary School
I find it absurd that the school district would not even give the idea a chance to see how it goes. My daughter is only in kindergarten, and I hope by the time she enters middle school, the rule is changed. The bus system is almost ALWAYS off-schedule. Some days my daughter's bus comes at 8:05...other times at 8:30. I've heard of middle school buses doing the same thing. We have so many great students, some who may also be in extra-curricular activities. Wouldn't it be comforting for parents and children to always know they have a way to communicate with each other? In this day and age, we try to teach our children to be responsible,educated, and open with their parents. The cell phone is just one of many tools in this process. Also, there is always the crime and safety issues associated with kids walking home from school. Especially because some students have to ride the public bus system, HRT. Just think how even one life can be saved if a child had their cell phone to call 911 if a stranger was stalking them. A lot more students would be responsible with the cell phones than you think. I say the school system should give it a shot. Of course, there should be rules concerning this subject, just like there are with any other school policies. For instance, they must remain in lockers,or shut off or on vibrate during school hours. And, there should also be consequences for those who do not follow the rules, with the ultimate consequence being that their use of phone privilege be taken away. I strongly urge the school system to re-consider their thoughts on the issue. Thank you. -Mrs. Amanda Leonard
My child attend Tucker Capps
Eaton Middle School
I agree
Eaton Middle School
I agree students should be allowed to carry cell phones. In case of an emergency they would be able to get in touch with parents or grandparent, or parents can be in touch with child.
EATON MIDDLE SCHOOL.
I AGREE WITH THIS PETITION, AND AS A PARENT I FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE KNOWING MY CHILD HAS A CELLPHONE WITH HIM DURING THESE TIMES.
I have a child at Jones Middle School. There have been times that there were issues with the HRT buses, either being late or not showing up. I like my child having the use of a phone to reach me in case of emergencies.
My children currently attend Bethel High School and Tucker Capps Elementary School, but this certainly would have been helpful for my older son when he was at Eaton, and it will definitely be helpful if this is passed before my younger son reaches middle school.
My son attends Eaton Middle.
