By Jenny Boshard
The access and ownership of electronic devices has increasingly become essential in today''s society. Students all over are showing off their individual iPods, their newest cell phones and their latest laptops.
These displays have resulted in a growing problem in high schools and middle schools, however. The problem is creating a non-educational environment where it is difficult for students to gain all the knowledge and education that is available to them.
Schools around the Provo area have their own policies and procedures toward the electronics that are allowed. These policies are based on a state policy they can tailor and implement into their own to serve and create the atmosphere they are seeking in their school.
Teachers in Provo School District have each student turn his or her phone off during class time. When the policy is abused by the students, the teachers may confiscate the item and turn it in to the office.
The issue with electronic devices, including iPods, CD players and cellular phones, is found in all schools: high schools, middle schools and even elementary schools.
Spencer Gillespie, hall monitor at Timpview High School, said there is a 'no tolerance' policy for electronics at Timpview.
If a teacher finds a student with a device, it is up to that teacher to decide if they confiscate it and turn it in to the office. After the device is turned in, the administrator calls the student in and has a conversation with them explaining the policy and returns the item to the student.
Gillespie said the students don''t need to worry about being suspended for their infraction.
'The biggest uproar will be for the administration to call the parents,' Gillespie said.
Provo High School has an electronic device policy which allows students to use the devices in between classes but not during class time. The policy states:
* Students are not allowed to leave class to answer pagers or cell phones. Cell phones must not be used in class for calls, text messaging or for taking photos.
* Students may not possess disruptive electronic devices including: boom boxes, walkie-talkies, electronic games, laser pointers, etc. in the classrooms at any time.
* If the administration or teacher catches the student with any disruptive electronic item, they have the authority to confiscate the item and return it to the student''s parents.
Not only is there a problem in high schools concerning electronic devices, but the younger-aged schools are having issues with this problem as well. As a result, the younger teenagers and elementary-aged students also have guidelines to follow in their schools regarding electronic devices.
Taran Chun, assistant principal at Dixon Middle School, said there is a 'no electronics' policy at his school.
The policy came from many complaints from the students about the theft of their electronic devices. It also came because of the distraction the devices were causing in many classes. The administration also became aware of many students walking around the halls with their music blaring in their ears, which was not assisting them or their fellow classmates in an educational experience.
'It didn''t provide for a good learning atmosphere,' Chun said.
The results of having a no electronics policy have assisted the administration and students at Dixon this year.
'It''s been a blessing to have this year,' Chun said. 'Theft has gone way down and distractions have been very minimal.'
Elementary schools have a policy that items brought for entertainment are to be left at home.
'Our policy is not to bring toys from home. So they really shouldn''t bring them ,' said Linda Phillips, secretary at Westridge Elementary School.
The faculty is aware of the electronics policy, but there are have been no problems with the students bringing cell phones and iPods to school.
'We know of a couple of kids that have cell phones,' Phillips said. 'They have not abused them.'