NORTH AUGUSTA --- Thousands of Aiken County teenagers will have to break an addiction this school year. Cell phones are off-limits during school hours.
The Aiken County school board's updated student conduct code includes harsher penalties for cell phone use on campus and says phones have to be kept in a locker or car. Administrators said the phones offered too much temptation.
"In a way it's a good thing, and then it's not," said Teandro Rainey, a senior at North Augusta High School. "I have to have my phone at all times with me."
Teandro said he always has his cell phone in case something happens to his sick aunt and he's needed at the hospital. He isn't completely against the new policy, but he said he'll probably keep his cell phone on him anyway. He risks a one-day in-school suspension if he is caught. Students with multiple discipline referrals face expulsion.
Last year, North Augusta High School recorded more than 500 cell phone violations. Principal Kyle Smith said there were far more undocumented violations.
Mr. Smith said he likes that the new policy is more aggressive, and he said he understands that parents need to get in touch with their children.
"There are exemptions to this policy for emergencies," Mr. Smith said, but changing an afternoon ride is not an emergency. "I think we need to remind ourselves that we're going to school to get an education."
Teachers also have to put away their cell phones. Mr. Smith said teachers can lose their job for multiple infractions.
The new policy will be reiterated at registrations this week and is part of the student code of conduct handbook.
Staff Writer Crystal Garcia contributed to this story.
Reach Julia Sellers at (706) 823-3424 or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.
NEW CELL PHONE POLICY
- Phones must be kept in vehicle, locker or other designated space during school hours
- Phones may not be used during school hours.
- Phones may not be turned on while riding the school bus unless special permission is received.
- Exceptions can be made for a student needing it for documented medical use or academic or physical accommodations.
Punishments
1. One day of in-school suspension
2. Three days of in-school suspension
3. Out-of-school suspension and loss of privilege to have on campus
4. Expulsion
Possession or use of cell phone or pager in a restroom is subject to loss of privilege for the rest of the year and at least a three-day suspension.
Source: Aiken County schools
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Teandro: Tell whomever you expect to call you to call the school office instead and they will relay a message to you immediately. That's what they are there for and that is what was done for years before cell phones were a "necessity" for students. You don't NEED it.
Texting....Sexting......Cheating on Test.....Threats...... yep you got to have them a school.
Thank you NEone, I was thinking the same thing as I read this. It makes me wonder how we ever got anything accomplished in the old days with the old ways.
Just maybe there will be less bomb threats if you cant use cell phones during school hours. Also, you may be able to catch the callers easier, with the process of ellimination. Tisk, Tisk, I wonder how we ever survived school without them. LOL All schools should adopt the principal NO CELL PHONES IN SCHOOL.
WTF.....teachers can lose their jobs? Over a cell phone? We have kids that can't read and write, but the district is going to worry about teachers using cell phones. Makes perfect sense to me
Why should this even be an issue? Cell phone are not a "need" for anyone. More often, they are simply a distraction. They should not be relegated to lockers; they shouldn't be allowed in school at all.
g o o d !
It's about time! I wonder what the helicopter parents are going to do now. And yes, teachers can lose their job over using a cell phone unless it's school related. Here's the way it works: When a child is absent, the teacher is supposed to call the parent (in case something happened to the child) but the teacher is not allowed to leave the classroom...so...just another rule that makes teachers pull their hair out...