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Archive through September 08, 2010

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: September 2010 ~ December 2010: Free Expression: The return of The Return of the Gripe Thread: Archive through September 08, 2010 users admin

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Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, September 06, 2010 - 7:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
You say tomayto, I say tomahto. No one said my neighborhood is perfect. (In fact I drool over the pics that you've posted of your yard and area....) We've had tornado warnings where they do the whole tornado drill thing and we have had a lockdown when one kid got very physically belligerent, but I still don't think kids should have cell phones. Then again, when my son is in high school, I might think differently, but for now, we can still share different opinions.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-30-2000

Monday, September 06, 2010 - 7:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Has anyone been shot to death in your school parking lot?

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Monday, September 06, 2010 - 8:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
But you know, I ask this all the time, what is so important that you absolutely have to text your child or husband/wife, for that matter, that can't wait until the child is out of school?

Checked out my text message log between hubby & me. Last ones from when he was at work:

hubby dont forget 2 get a powerball n megamil
me I had forgotten thanks for reminding me. Anything you want me to pick up @ Walmart or Meijer?
hubby not that i can think of but don't forget 2 get u a polar pop
me pffft I'd forget your supper before forgetting my Polar Pop!!!
hubby thats 4 sure i no where ur priorities r lol love u
me love you too!!!

Important stuff that couldn't wait! I'd DIE w/o my Polar Pop. ;-)

I will say that I don't text him often when he's at work unless he text me first. Or if he knows I'm coming downtown & I text to let him know I'm there. [I can't get in w/o an escort once I'm past the guards & metal detector.] If he texts me first it means he's taking a break or just bored to death with nothing to do.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Monday, September 06, 2010 - 8:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
As far as kids & cell phones in school. Let them carry them but SHUT OFF while at school, including lunch. IF there's an emergency then they can get it out. If they get it out & there's not an emergency, cell goes to the office & released only to parent or guardian. If parent or guardian can't make it to the office for a few days, too bad so sad that's life.

Christy358
Member

07-10-2007

Monday, September 06, 2010 - 11:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Christy358 a private message Print Post    
I think that cell phones are good for an emergency. However, as they are currently often used, they are just one more distraction. I hate driving behind someone on the phone, they randomly speed up and slow down. I hate being behind someone in line on the cell phone, they do not pay attention to who is helping them and hold up the line. I hate trying to sell to someone on the cell phone, they are trying to carry on two conversations at once and often answer questions without thinking. This causes the person trying to help them to take certain actions that often have to be corrected ...in ways that cost the time of several people. Or else keep me waiting again, when I could be helping someone with a focus.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 12:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
I was surprised recently to learn that Caleb's school allows use during breaks and lunch, they do have to be turned off during classes though or can get taken away. Had to go back and reread through that part of the handbook and sure enough that's what it said. He'd been home sick from school and recieved a couple text messages from his buddies about the work/homework he needed to do.

I'm of the mind that cell phones are neccessary. Two kids in school, an elderly aunt I take care of, Darren works out of town and I know other people have similar circumstances...kids, spouses, work, emergencies, broken down cars, etc. It also makes me comfortable the kids having them at school, especially since Caleb walks sometimes, and for them having them for extra cirricular activities.

However, while seeing them as neccessary, a lot of times I find them a big pain in the butt, lol. I don't always want people to be able to get ahold of me! There's not too many things that are that important people need to get ahold of me right away, outside of the kids, my aunt, and Darren. And I agree with Christy, a lot of times they are just a distraction. And rude.

I know a lot of people who will stop a face to face convo to answer their cells just to chat. Or the buddy of Caleb's, who while over to dinner one night, set texting back and forth throughout the meal. Or the overheard (loud) conversations that should be private but one end is held in a very public place (thinking of the softball mom a few months ago who spent an entire game chatting on her phone about her no good ex husband, oy.)

We have strict rules for the kids with their cell phones. No stopping real life convos for a cell phone call (unless it's me or dad calling.) No texts/calls during meals or family occassions/get togethers or during visits. And despite Caleb's school policy, he's not allowed to call or text during school hours. Of course, I'm not at school with him, but I do regularly check their call/text logs and can tell if he's making them during school hours. Last weekend when they went out of town with grandma and grandpa, they took their phones to take pictures with. The grandparents complimented them when they were brought back, they didn't text, didn't spend time on the phones, when they got a call they looked at the number then hit ignore, and the only time my in-laws saw their phones was when the kids took pics.

I think someone said it upthread, but their cells are a neccessary convienience as far as I'm concerned. I want to get ahold of them, or them get ahold of me when needed. Check in, let me know where they are and when they'll be home, if they need a ride. The bonus is they can also text or call their friends. But I won't put up with them being rude cell phone users dangit and have no problem taking them away!

This said by someone who uses pre-paid, buys 60 minutes every 3 months, and usually rolls over 40-45 minutes each time I add minutes, lol. I've got something like 156 minutes on my cell right now and I'm due to buy more minutes in the next couple weeks! I get phone calls mostly from Darren or the kids, usually pretty quick, stuff like I'm on my way home or pick me up please. I get even fewer text messages (last one was from Dakota last night, she spent the night at a friends and at bedtime she sent, "Good night mommy. I love you.")

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 7:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
I have my kid's phone locked so that it's only accessible during break, lunch, before school, and after school.

If you have verizon, you can set up usage controls on their website. Oh, and she can still receive and send texts to me during locked times.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-30-2000

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 7:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Our school policy is that children can have their cell phones and each teacher sets their own classroom policy on use. Use is permitted during off hours (which can be spent in study rooms or the library) and lunch.

Many of my DS's teachers not only allow use of the phone, but allow use of ipods, mp3 players during work time as well.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 8:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
Karruuna I said excepting emergency.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-30-2000

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 9:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Dipo, you are correct. I'm sorry for misreading your post. :-(

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 12:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Prisonerno6 a private message Print Post    
For your "multitasker," Tishala.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95524385&ps=rs

Tishala
Member

08-01-2000

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 1:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tishala a private message Print Post    
Thanks Prisoner. She talked to me today and let's say I'm confident it won't happen again. Besides, Summer Session ends in 3 days and then she'll get to deal with tenured professors who won't be nearly as gentle with multitasking as I am.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 8:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Kar, many of Caleb's teachers allow ipods/mp3 players too. He knows I don't approve of him using it in a class, like his English class, but if his teacher allows it, I won't argue. Really the only class I am ok with him using it is for PE, where one day a week they get to choose their own activity and he chooses long distance running, but again, if the teachers are ok with it and he follows their rules, that won't be one of the battles I decide to fight, lol.

Wavewatcher
Member

09-09-2006

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 10:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wavewatcher a private message Print Post    
Interesting thread here. Just wanted to mention that where I live it is against the law to use a cell phone when driving. That is a safety issue.

I do wish it were also against the law to use a cell phone when 'in line' anywhere and when in a restaurant or theatre among other places including the dinner table
in our own homes. That is an issue of good manners and respect for others.

As for schools, I understand Karuuna's concerns about emergency and to me it would be reasonable to allow the phones to be accessible in the case of such events. Setting phones to voice mail should enable children to access messages
from home, after school hours are over.

Christy358
Member

07-10-2007

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 10:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Christy358 a private message Print Post    
I love the "locked during certain times" feature.

Wish I could send my employees work schedule to verizon......

Wavewatcher
Member

09-09-2006

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - 10:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wavewatcher a private message Print Post    
I am sure you are not alone on that point, Christy.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 1:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Facebook has these silly sayings that you can "like". My nephew posted one that I had to grab for myself:

A cell phone at 6 years old? Who are you going to call, Dora?

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 4:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Prisonerno6 a private message Print Post    
Another article about digital overload:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129384107

There is a difference between iPods/MP3 players and texting with cell phones. Used correctly, music might tune out other distractions for students with certain learning styles; however, I'd have to do more research to verify that. However, texting on a cellphone takes one's attention away from what they should be doing and puts in on the "conversation."

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-30-2000

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 7:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
My son, and many of his friends, have phones that are both phones and music players, so they only have one device (to buy and carry, and uh, to break and lose. :-))

Wargod, I'm with you on letting the teacher make the call. Altho I do admit some of his teachers make me want to pull my hair out.

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 7:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
For me it all comes back to the same thing. Using technology in a respectful, productive and useful way. This should start at a young age. So I don't see any reason why kids shouldn't be able to use cell phones or MP3 players in school at times when it is appropriate to do so. For example, that would not include texting when they should be paying attention in class.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 8:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
LOL Kar. Caleb has an ipod shuffle that he got a couple years ago and a nano he got earlier this year, the shuffle goes to school with him. It holds enough music for even his long distance running days, clips to his clothes (the nano doesn't have a clip,) and if he loses or breaks it, it won't be as bad as if it were the nano.

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 8:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Prisonerno6 a private message Print Post    
To me its all about teaching students that being connected 24/7 is not a good thing. Turn your cell phones off when you're in school.

Why is that teachers are right when its something with which one agrees, but wrong when is isn't?

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-30-2000

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 8:32 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
My DS just has the iphone, which is everything for him. Luckily, we have a separate, full coverage warranty. :-)

As for teachers, it just baffles me how some teachers are very rigorous, and others just let the kids float thru classes. We have some who think they should already be doing college level work and seem to think the kids can learn independently from reading texts (even tho the teachers admit the texts are awful); and then others who don't teach a darn thing.

Example: my DS took one year of Spanish in middle school, two years in high school. His high school teacher was branded one of "those easy teachers." He gets to Spanish three, and it's as if he never took any Spanish at all. The other students are reviewing and DS is like "they're speaking a foreign language." So basically, his last two years were wasted. Harrumph.

Now he'll have to make it up in the summer, so he can take Spanish 3 his Senior year, since some of the colleges he'd like to go to require three years of a foreign language.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-30-2000

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 8:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Prisoner, well, that's true for everyone, isn't it? Others are right when we agree with them, and wrong when we don't. :-)

Seriously, tho, teachers are of all stripes too. Some are good, some are very good and some suck. I personally am fine with each teacher setting the policy for *his/her* classroom, and I've always taught my DS that whether he agrees or not, that's the policy for that teacher and that's what he has to do in that class - like it or not.

I have spoken to his teachers twice a year ever since he's been going to school, and more often to the teachers where there are issues. I am sometimes shocked by what I hear teachers say, honestly. Yes, the text is very poor and not very helpful, and yes they are expected to use that text to teach themselves. Huh? I heard the same teacher say, well, we're preparing them for college and that's why I don't show them how to do the work (math). My DS was a sophomore. My translation: she's lazy.

I also vividly remember a first grade teacher, whom I spoke to about a classmate of my DS, and how disruptive he was. Her response? He's only my problem for one year.

So, yeah, sometimes we disagree with teachers. And sometimes we're right and they are wrong. :-) And sometimes I would guess it's reversed, and if they make a good case, I will change my mind.

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 8:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Prisonerno6 a private message Print Post    
As for parents, it just baffles me how some parents are very rigorous, and others just let the kids float through life.