Cell Phones: A New Challenge for Educators

As educators, we take advantage of a lot of advancements in technology. Technology has impacted our ability to research. It has shaped our methodology. It has helped the ability to collaborate with colleagues and communicate with parents. These are all good things. But, with these advancements, there are also challenges that make the job of education more difficult. Though students must sign an acceptable use of technology form that addresses most computer issues such as viewing inappropriate sites and using the computer for non-educational purposes, there is an increasing problem with the use of cell phones, especially those with multi features such as camera,video, and internet access - not to mention the increasingly popular text messaging. Schools across the nation are struggling with the issue of cell phone use in schools. It seems that every student has a cell phone, and they have become a natural part of who the student is. Students have instant communication with each other every waking moment so it is difficult for them not to use these devices during school. But, these can be a distraction to education when students feel their phones vibrate during the presentation of a lesson, pull out their phones under their desks and see a text message to which they promptly respond. Many schools have taken the view that catching students using a cell phone to communicate during school is simply a digitized version of a handwritten note. These have been confiscated by teachers since the days of the one-room schoolhouse. Educators tend to rely on the TLO vs. New Jersey standard that viewing and using the information found on a cell phone is acceptable as long as there is "reasonable suspicion" that a rule violation has occurred. Just like the original complaintant in the TLO case, students today see the review and search of their phone as a violation of their privacy rights. The crux of the issue is whether or not the school officials have "reasonable suspicion" that reviewing or searching will lead to evidence that a rule violation has occurred. Educators see searching a phone as not different from searching a locker, a backpack, a purse, or even a student's pocket. Just like in the days of TLO, groups like the ACLU have cried fowl for such searches. As a principal, I can tell you that dealing with this issue is very frustrating. What is probably most frustrating is that we have clear rules/expectations about the possession and use of cell phones. We have these expectations in writing. We talked with all of the students at class meetings, and we have made PA announcements. Yet, students ignore these expectations because the risk is worth the reward. Though the simple disobedience of the rule is bad enough, students use cell phones and text messaging to cheat on assignments, take inappropriate pictures of other students at school, communicate about drug deals, and many other inappropriate behaviors that impact the school environment. The struggle for school officials is how to maintain a positive learning environment facing the struggles brought about by the way students use the ever-changing and advancing technology. Can you imagine a one-room school house teacher being dropped into a classroom today. For that matter, imagine dealing with this issue of cell phones and text messaging just 15 years ago. It makes Star Trek and Back To The Future seem not that far off!

Shepherd Homecoming 2008

October 10th was a very special Homecoming day for Shepherd Public Schools. It was a bit chaotic with all of the hoopla, but it was a fun time for the students and community. I think the staff enjoyed it as well, but I know they have to deal with a lot of extra stress during the Homecoming week. This is especially true of the advisors. I am fortunate because I have been able to experience Shepherd Homecomings from a variety of angles. My parents were graduates from Shepherd High School, and I have lived in Shepherd all of my life. So, I remember Homecomings as a kid in elementary and middle school. I remember Homecoming as a high school student and a football player. I remember the excitement of being a football player during the Homecoming week and receiving special attention. We had the same traditions that we have today - floats, halls, the pep assemblies. I know that there is much more to the game than the wins and losses, but I am glad to say that we won the three Homecoming games in which I played! I remember coming back to the Homecoming parade and the game as an alumni and eventually as a staff member. These last two years I have been able to experience Homecoming as the principal. I can't remember every Homecoming at Shepherd High School, but I know I have been to over thirty. It is interesting to me to contemplate the various ways I have experienced Shepherd High School Homecomings! This year's was an especially cool experience. The floats, halls, assemblies, and class competitions were good as always, but the game was something special since it was the last time a varsity game would be played on the only field Shepherd football has known - at least as far as any research could determine. The game was very exciting. We won. But, what was so significant was how the players, the band, the coaches, and the fans all came together after the game to celebrate. That was a very special moment. The next home varsity game will begin a new era of Shepherd football as we inaugurate the new football field and sports complex. History is interesting. We have a strong football history here at Shepherd High School. We will play our first home game in the new complex 100 years from the first organized Shepherd football team in 1909. The history and tradition will continue. Homecoming may take a new shape, but hopefully all alumni and friends will return to Shepherd High School Homecomings with pride and fond memories!

The ZAP! Room

As you know, it takes parents, students, and teachers working together to ensure a suitable learning environment for all students so they can maximize their success. Of course we want students to do the very best that they can, but we are very concerned about students failing classes and not gaining the skills needed to be successful. We want students to stay on track to graduate with their class.

As a staff, we have been reviewing predictable indicators that correlate to failure. One of the most significant factors is students not doing their homework. Not only have we reviewed our student data, but we have worked with other schools that have come to the same conclusion. The reason for these failures is two-fold. First, students who do not use homework to ensure they have the requisite skills before a test, typically score poorly on tests. Secondly, work that is not submitted cannot demonstrate that a student has mastered the material. Thus, the student’s grade is lowered. We do not want failure to be an option!

We are beginning a new initiative at Shepherd High School to make sure that students do their homework. Last year our science department piloted a program called ZAP! (Zeros Aren’t Permitted). The results of their pilot were very successful. Missing homework assignments decreased and as a result failures decreased. The high school staff is taking this initiative from pilot to full building implementation. The ZAP! Room Guidelines are below.

1. When homework is not done by the specified time, students are assigned to the ZAP Room. Zeros Aren't Permitted. The ZAP Room will run in the media center at the east end from 3:00 – 4:00. Not doing homework is not an option.


2. When assigned to the ZAP Room, the student will be notified and the teacher will record the date and time of next Zap Room to which the student was assigned.


3. The Student’s name is shared with Zap Room supervisor.


4. The date of the Zap Room that the student is assigned must be at least 24 hours in the future so parents/guardians can be notified and transportation issues can be addressed.


5. Parental contact can be personal or through voicemail, but teachers will document the contact.


6. If homework is completed anytime prior to the beginning of Zap Room, the student does not have to attend, but completing the work does not mean that a student will get full credit or partial credit for the assignment.


7. Once a student enters the Zap Room, he/she must stay for an entire hour.


8. If a student arrives late to the Zap Room, they are not allowed in.


9. If a student misses the Zap Room, they choose to attend RTC during lunch to complete their work for the next 3 days.


10. If homework is not completed in the three days in RTC or the student does not attend RTC, the student is suspended until the parent(s) come in for a meeting with the principal, teacher and student.

The bottom line is that failure is not an option, and this initiative is designed to eliminate one factor that significantly contributes to failure and becoming behind on credits.

We know that parents desire the best for their student. We also know that their cooperation and support will greatly enhance the success of this initiative. To help Their son/daughter avoid the ZAP Room, parents should check with their student each night to make sure that they have completed their work. As the assignments are completed, grades will improve.

It takes all of us working together to maximize success!

My Birthday Message

Written October 3, 2008

Well, today is my birthday! I really don't feel any different. The way my back and knees have been aching, I have felt forty for the last few months. I guess there are times in life when you get introspective about where you are in life and how things have gone so far. I feel very blessed. I am where I want to be in life. This introspection also leads me to marvel at how quickly I got to 40. It seems like I am the age the my parents ought to be. A few years ago I was contemplating life and how fast it was already going. It is so true that the older you get, the faster it goes. One of our retired teachers shared this insight with me when I was a student here. Mr. Ronk explained to me the relativity of time. I am sure it all makes sense to you, but it struck me even as a high school student. He explained that every time your life doubles, the passing of time feels the same. In other words, the 4 years from 4 to 8 seem to pass at the same rate as the 8 years from 8 to 16. That is a little scary because it seems like I got to 40 so fast. That means I will get to 80 in what has seemed like a short time to get to 40. It is easy to get caught up thinking about retirement and counting down the years. I have quickly caught myself when those thoughts pop in my head. If I am ready to retire, there are a lot of other realities that will be a part of that time as well. It is possible that one or both or my parents will no longer be living. I know they could go at any time, but with age the probability increases. My kids will be out of the house. They have already gotten older so fast it is hard to remember all of the stages of their development. That is very sad to me. I never want to wish away my present. Every day is important. Please don't wish away your present looking with envy at the perceived benefits of the future. It will get here fast enough! I know! I am 40! Many of you know because you are older than me! :)

I am going to leave you with a poem that has always been one of my favorites from John Milton. It it about the passing of time - 40 and beyond!

On Time

John Milton. 1608–1674

Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race,

Call on the lazy leaden-stepping hours,

Whose speed is but the heavy Plummets' pace;

And glut thyself with what thy womb devours,

Which is no more than what is false and vain,

And merely mortal dross;

So little is our loss,

So little is thy gain.

For when as each thing bad thou hast entomb'd,

And last of all, thy greedy self consum'd,

Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss

With an individual kiss;

And Joy shall overtake us as a flood,

When every thing that is sincerely good

And perfectly divine,

With Truth, and Peace, and Love shall ever shine

About the supreme Throne

Of Him, t'whose happy-making sight alone,

When once our heav'nly-guided soul shall climb,

Then all this earthly grossness quit,

Attir'd with Stars, we shall for ever sit,

Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee O Time.