Middle schoolers to use cell phones less under new policy

By: 
Erin Sommers Graphic-Advocate Editor

South Central Calhoun Middle School students won’t be allowed to use their cell phones next year, outside of specific instances allowed by teachers for class purposes and possibly during a time designated for checking messages.
Principal Marc DeMoss brought a new cell phone policy to the SCC School Board June 19.
“I have issues during the day with kids getting involved in social media fights,” DeMoss said. “A lot of these kids can’t handle (cell phones) at the middle school level.”
DeMoss said he reached that conclusion after several years of allowing students less restricted access to their phones during the day. He said problems range from the physical – students so absorbed by what’s on the phone screen that they aren’t watching where they are walking during passing periods – to the social, particularly with texts and social media fueling dramatic interactions. Even some parents have started participated in the situations, with students texting parents about disagreements with friends, and parents texting back in a way that keeps tensions high, DeMoss said. 
Read more in the June 28 edition. 

The Graphic-Advocate

The Graphic-Advocate 
121 North Center St.
Lake City, IA 51449
Phone: (641) 456-2585

Mid-America Publishing

This newspaper is part of the Mid-America Publishing Family. Please visit www.midampublishing.com for more information.