Bane of existence
Children should absolutely not be allowed to have cell phones in school. I am a substitute teacher and they are the bane of our existence. Students have them out constantly to text each other, check the time, check their messages, and do not pay attention in the classroom. They should leave them at home. The worst part is, I've worked at the high school in a secretarial position and have had parents stand in front of me and call their child while they are in the classroom to let them know they're being dismissed. Principals and secretaries are overrun with paperwork when students are referred for discipline. There are too many other things that staff have to focus on rather than spend any extra time dealing with cell phone issues. When a staff member sees a cell phone, whether being used or not, they should be able to confiscate it and make the parent come in and pay a fine before they can get it back.
KAREN VENNARD, Salem, N.H.
Scourge of society
Children should not even have cell phones, never mind should they have them in schools. I realize that it is a different world from the one I grew up in. I have seen kids riding their bikes and talking on a cell phone. Wait until they get their licenses. I think cell phones are the scourge of society, right up there with yellow school buses. Even adults should take great care in using cell phones because of the radio waves they emit. With a child it is even worse because their brains are still developing. Unfortunately, cell phones are as addictive as tobacco and computers. So I vote a resounding "No" to cell phones in school.
CHARLOTTE GOOSSENS, Salem, N.H.
Another distraction
Cell phones do not belong in schools or classrooms. Children should be in school to focus on their education and cell phones are simply another distraction that need not be contended with. Convenience for who? Certainly not the teachers. If parents "need" to contact their child during the day, every school has a protocol to follow for such purposes. Cell phones should be turned off and kept in lockers until the school day is over.
SHANNON BALLETTO, Groveland
Need guidelines
Absolutely not. The majority of anyone calling them should be in school themselves. Maybe on breaks or in between classes would be OK but there would have to be some guidelines. The teachers should have cell phones in case of emergency, then if students' parents care enough to know, the phone numbers of the teachers if they need to reach their child. Don't you find it very rude when you are with someone, whether it be in a restaurant of elsewhere, when all they do is answer their cell phone and have a grand old conversation and you are totally ignored? It's rude and not appropriate. You are in school to learn — not talk on cells. If there was ever a family emergency I'm sure parents know how to contact the school directly.
SHIRLEY BEDROSIAN, Salem, N.H.
Hinder concentration
Cell phones are a great modern technological invention for emergencies, but common sense tells us they should not be allowed in the classrooms. In the classrooms, they are but another distraction which hinders student concentration and education. Teachers are not very happy with their pupils text messaging among themselves and disrupting the classrooms. Cell phones are good for the kids when walking or traveling to and from school, but they should be checked at the school door and kept in safety for when they are dismissed for the day. Make your phone calls on your own time, and stick to learning in school.
JIM CASSIDY, Bradford
Leave phones home
Keep the cell phones at home. Students go to school to learn, not to talk on the phone. For years, students got along just fine without them. I think they are a distraction.
VIOLA HAYNES, Methuen
Potentially lifesaving
Today's children are connoisseurs of our extensive Internet and are well informed of what occurs in schools. When an antisocial psychopath starts gunning down children, if a tiny cell phone — kept turned off during classes — will help save children's lives, then they should be allowed to have them.
CHRISTINE BRADLEY, Haverhill
One per classroom
No doubt as children they should not carry expensive equipment in classes, in my opinion. One cellular phone in a classroom is sufficient for use by the students as necessary and with the instructors' consent.
ANGELA PERILLO, Methuen
Needed for emergencies
Yes, a child would be able to contact a parent in case of crisis or emergency. Parents would be able to contact their children in time of need.
WAYNE GODDARD, Manchester, N.H.
Teachers decide
Cell phones should be used for emergencies only. Any emergency at the school is handled by the principal, teachers or medical staff if they are needed. Cell phones can be an interruption to the class or to anyone trying to learn or do assignments. If they bring them to school, they should at least have them shut off. Also, teachers should decide if students need them or not and instruct parents to tell their children cell phones should not be brought to school.
DENNIS GROULX, Salem, N.H.
Web poll results
Should students be allowed to carry their cell phones in school?
Yes — 35.43%
No — 64.57%
635 votes counted.
