BCMS has a ban on cell phone use during school for several reasons. The principal, Jeff Jennings, says students use their phones inappropriately, which would be distracting and prevent learning. If caught using a phone, it will be taken by the teacher and consequences become more severe with repeated offenses, up to in-school suspension. While phones could potentially be used for research or polling, there are also risks like cheating, harassment, and theft that make a ban preferable according to some teachers. Students argue phones should be allowed for emergencies or activity updates.

1. By: Maranda Pierson
and
Olivia Neighbors

2. Why do schools have bans on cell phone
use?
• It causes a distraction to students during class
• Students cheat on tests
• Take and distribute photos of students
• Cyberbullying

3. Why does BCMS have a ban on cell phones?
“Students use them inappropriately. No one would learn.
Everyone would have their phones out texting etc., and as a
principal, it is our job to protect the students.”
- Jeff Jennings- Principal of BCMS

4. In class:
The first time the teacher takes up the phone
until the end of the day.
The second and third time teacher will turn
phone in to the front office and the parent will
have to pick it up at the end of the day.
The fourth time is when the student will be put in
ISS (In-school Suspension).
What if you are caught with your
phone?

5. Positives of being allowed to
use your phone.
 Use Internet for research
 Keep notes, calendar, and voice recorder
handy
 Teachers could use Poll Everywhere for
quick recall on student comprehension

6. Negatives of being allowed
to use your phone.
 Cheating- students can share answers
during tests or store information about test
content to use during test
 Harassment- students can take and
distribute inappropriate pictures of
students
 Stealing- phones could end up stolen

7. What do teachers think?
 Should students be able to use their phones
during school?
- During part of the lesson yes, you could use
Poll Everywhere and the Internet for research
- No, with today’s technology students will be
able to look up any answer and therefore not
get the benefit that they need

8. What do teachers think?
 Have you ever used cell phones in class for a
school project or research?
- Yes for a project once and students were not
responsible with the access. Instead they had
taken pictures of her classroom and posted them
on Facebook.

9. Students’ responses:
 Why should we be able to use our phones
during school?
- In case of an emergency, you could contact
someone faster
- Extra-curricular activities reschedule plans