REMOVE THE BAN ON CELL PHONES IN PUBLIC HIGHSCHOOLS
- by: Forevablessed Marrero Lopez
- recipient: THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
I feel people should sign this petition because our children are not safe and as parents it is our job to ensure the safety of our children. When our kids leave to school, when they travel back home or even on school grounds we are not with them to protect them, if an emergency happens how will we (the parents) know. If God forbid another 911 happens, how will be know our children are safe and how will they know we are safe? How will we find them? Or lets use the Columbine shooting, unfortunately many died, but many students were saved because they had their cell phones and were able to call for help. These are just a few of the many different scenario’s that give us a purpose on why we should fight to remove this ban. These are our children, if we do not fight for them, who will? There are many pro’s and con’s to removing this ban, but as a parent I am not comfortable having my daughter traveling to and from school and me not knowing if she is okay and I am sure many of you feel the same way.
To: THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE NYC MAYORS OFFICE
We, the undersigned, feel that a complete ban on cell phones within our public school system, while well intended, does not meet the needs of the students, parents or the district.
We support the faculty and students right to a classroom free of distraction and the potential for cheating from cell phone use. We have observed that the needs of the student body include, but are not limited to: having quick accessible means of communication in emergency and hazardous situations. There have been many incidents that have proven the positive roles cell phones have played within the public school system. Unfortunately the majority of public schools in the Bronx are in high crime areas; therefore, having a cell phone is a reassurance in many normal as well as emergency situations for both parents and students.
We find the current district policy to be ineffective, as it is widely ignored and virtually unenforceable. The policy we propose below addresses not only the aforementioned needs of the students and parents, but the district as well. It also provides for a safe learning environment for the student and a peace of mind for the parents.
- Cell phones will be permitted on school grounds at all times.
- Cell phones must be turned off in all classrooms at all times.
- Cell phones may not be dialed or answered in a classroom (including text messages, games, and other uses).
- Students shall respect the rights and needs of other students, and observe common courtesy.
Consequences for each violation could include points off marking period grade, detention, confiscation of the cell phone, ineligibility for after school activities, etc. at the discretion of the School Board.
The district currently supports the use of new and emerging technology in classrooms to enhance the learning experience, a quality we have come to appreciate, therefore we feel that there is no need to ignore the obvious benefits, especially the safety precautions of the students and once again the peace of mind of the parents.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.