MOUNT VERNON — It is said that all clouds have a silver lining, and that axiom may apply to the cell phone misuse situation at Mount Vernon High School. According to Superintendent of Schools Steve Short, “There are a lot more parents out there right now checking their kids’ cell phones than ever did before — and they should be.”
The dissemination of inappropriate photos among students, as reported last week in the News, is one of the more serious misuses of cell phones by minors, but nearly 500 violations of the MVHS cell phone policy have caused disruptions in the educational process during the 2007-08 school year. This is in spite of a cellular phone policy being in place and letters to parents being sent out last August.
While Mount Vernon High School recognizes cell phones as being everywhere and necessary in today’s world, we also recognize that cell phones equipped with cameras, and other features such as text messaging, post risks to academic integrity and overall safety. It is for these reasons that students are not allowed to carry cell phones on their person.
Ideally, cell phones should be locked in student lockers or their car. If students choose to store phones in their backpacks, lockers and purses, cell phones must be in the off position during the school day. (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) Confiscated cell phones may be searched by school administration. Students are responsible for all information, pictures, text messages, movies, etc. contained within their cell phone.
Use of cellular phones on school premises is not restricted during afterschool hours and weekends, unless a student’s sponsor or coach limits such use.
Use of cell phones and other devices with camera features is prohibited in locker rooms and bathrooms at all times, including before and after school. Using a cellular phone or an electronic device to film/record/take pictures of any student or staff member is prohibited. Posting such pictures on the Internet or any public forum violates federal law and may be met with immediate school discipline.
Assistant Principal Sam Shuman said the incidents range from the cell phone going off in class, text messaging during class, taking pictures of tests, storing test information and text messaging friends with answers to test questions, to reports of cell phones being stolen. Some of the more worrisome misuses of cell phones included making false 9-1-1 calls, taking and sending inappropriate pictures, and using the cell phone to set up drug deals. Shuman said cell phones have also been used to instigate fights off of school property, and to harass or bully other students.
“This year,” Shuman said, “we have had a number of incidents, fights especially, that have occurred off campus and have been recorded on cell phones. These are then brought to the school to humiliate the loser of the fight and to continue the conflict within the school.
“Additionally, we have had a number of students who have brought us text messages received outside of school that contain threats of violence, such as, ‘watch your [behind] at lunch because me and my friends are going to jump you.’”
Shuman said cell phones can be the perfect tool for notifying a large group of people in a short time that there is going to be a fight.
“The ‘he said, she said’ drama escalates more quickly be means of cell phones,” Shuman said. “Incidents that would have normally stopped are now escalated immediately as students have instant access, and feedback, from their support groups.”
Law enforcement personnel may become involved when the transmission of inappropriate materials or messages occurs off school grounds, and varying charges may be brought against the offending party.
Because improper cellular phone usage is not confined to MVHS, Short said a countywide meeting between the various school districts, law enforcement and juvenile court is being planned for the end of June. In addition to sharing information about their particular cell phone policies, the entities plan to collaborate in preparing educational activities related to cell phone usage, including safety and ways to inform students that certain uses could be criminal acts.
To help parents learn about cell phone-related issues, the county plans to hold a forum in August, similar to those conducted by the Westerville Police Department on Internet safety.
“I feel like as a school district we should do everything we can to make sure our kids are safe,” Short said. “Our parents, [when informed about cell phone safety,] can work with us and build that communication piece so kids can be safe. ... You don’t want students to be harmed and you don’t want the educational process to be harmed.”
