Cell phone confiscated/privacy issue

[justmemom]

What is the name of your state? Wisconsin

My son answered his cell phone at the end of the schoolday and it was confiscated. (Unfortunately it was dad who thought he was out of school 10min earlier). Given last years media coverage of violence in schools I do uphold this policy as a safety measure as well as the distraction issues. I had signed the school policy indicating that it would not be returned until the next conference day but upon further reflection I have serious concerns. I realized that my and my husbands confidential work numbers are on the phone and requested the sym card be returned to me, the parent, for privacy and confidentiality matters. Administration refused my request. This would have been very simple, give me the sym card, keep the phone (which son worked 2 months to purchase), and allow me to follow up on further discipline in the matter.

Now I'm angry! If they want to drive the point further they are now endangering my son's safety. He works nights and travels alone. He attends school in an increasingly dangerous neighborhood and leaves after dark following sports. Last year his car was broken into 3x and one of these he was unable to enter the school because it was not open. Just tues of this week students returned to school from a project and encountered a gun being pointed at a classmate- no staff were present. It's the kids senior year. How do you change a kids school now?

Back to my original point- Privacy and confidentiality-I should blindly trust school staff to keep the phone and all confidential information secure? Interested in your thoughts .

Thanks for letting me vent

 

[Ozark_Sophist]

You trusted your son to make sure he followed the school rules that both he and you signed. The phone should have been off.

 

[justmemom]

cell phone confiscated

What about the confidentiality issue? And what about my responsibility and rights to control the discipline? Should that not be respected?

 

[Zigner]

What about the confidentiality issue? And what about my responsibility and rights to control the discipline? Should that not be respected?

Not once you agreed to their policy.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? Wisconsin

My son answered his cell phone at the end of the schoolday and it was confiscated. (Unfortunately it was dad who thought he was out of school 10min earlier). Given last years media coverage of violence in schools I do uphold this policy as a safety measure as well as the distraction issues. I had signed the school policy indicating that it would not be returned until the next conference day but upon further reflection I have serious concerns. I realized that my and my husbands confidential work numbers are on the phone and requested the sym card be returned to me, the parent, for privacy and confidentiality matters. Administration refused my request. This would have been very simple, give me the sym card, keep the phone (which son worked 2 months to purchase), and allow me to follow up on further discipline in the matter.

Now I'm angry! If they want to drive the point further they are now endangering my son's safety. He works nights and travels alone. He attends school in an increasingly dangerous neighborhood and leaves after dark following sports. Last year his car was broken into 3x and one of these he was unable to enter the school because it was not open. Just tues of this week students returned to school from a project and encountered a gun being pointed at a classmate- no staff were present. It's the kids senior year. How do you change a kids school now?

Back to my original point- Privacy and confidentiality-I should blindly trust school staff to keep the phone and all confidential information secure? Interested in your thoughts .

Thanks for letting me vent

**A: you're kidding right?

 

[Silverplum]

**A: you're kidding right?

sigh...they never are.

 

[HomeGuru]

So sad**************....

 

[justmemom]

Zigner and Ozark Sophist, thanks for your reply. It's unfortunate when one is not able to see into the future. Yeah my son was to have the phone off during the day, I agree with that. As I try to think back I'm not certain if an agreement was signed or if I'm just remembering a memo sent home. I wish I had realized the implications for privacy of information and the concerns of safety outside of school before this took place. Looking into legal issues which may hold some precedent. (Dealing with some PTSD in regard to trusting the security of my info as I have encountered situations which caused me to abort employment in the school system.) The district provides no guidelines regarding cell phones/discipline in thier handbook and I've contacted them regarding my request to obtain the sym card for privacy and confidentiality and uphold the consequence, as the parent, to my discretion in regard to out of school safety issues. 2 days, moving to next level, no word yet, sounds like they are hedging on supporting request....they probably think I'll just go away.

So many kids are out of control, no parental guidance, negative societal influences and those of us trying to do best with pretty good kids suffer the consequences....the kids suffer the most. Son is honor student, well accomplished in his sport, no conduct issues, perfect attendance except for medical. He bought and pays for the phone bill and is well established in his job. Pretty good kid....unfortunate mistake. More dialog is appreciated.

 

[JustAPal00]

At one of my jobs, if your phone "accidentally" rings while at work, you are warned. The second time you are fired. Your son needs to be a little more responsible with his phone at school.

 

[las365]

they are now endangering my son's safety.

The phone the school confiscated isn't the only one in the world. If your son's safety is so dependant on having a cell phone, get him another one.

I realized that my and my husbands confidential work numbers are on the phone and requested the sym card be returned to me, the parent, for privacy and confidentiality matters.

Doesn't the school already have your and your husband's work telephone numers in case you need to be reached in case of emergency? If someone at the school was determined to get your contact information, they would probably be able to do it simply by lookng at the school's records. I'm not sure why you feel that the phone being at the school places you or your husband in jeopardy.

 

[Zigner]

Your son could have "lost" his phone anywhere. Maybe he should memorize your phone numbers instead of storing them.

 

[HomeGuru]

Your son could have "lost" his phone anywhere. Maybe he should memorize your phone numbers instead of storing them.

**A: now that's an idea.

 

[xylene]

I had signed the school policy indicating that it would not be returned until the next conference day

What did you sign?

Why did you sign it?

What were the consequences of NOT signing it?


---

Personal opinion, make a real nuisance of yourself and you will get the chip, and probably the phone.

Most school administrators are on a power trip anyway (this goes for teachers too) and will enjoy a good confrontation.

These people honestly believe what they do (or half threateningly 'could do') might have any bearing on your child's future.

The reality is universal post 8th grade education could be stopped, most people (>65%) are "Deltas" anyway and the college preparatory curriculum is doing them zero benefit...

 

[stealth2]

LOL Were it not for the state, I'd think you were my ex & his wife, with your oh-so-secret work numbers. Let me guess - you're spies and your lives would be in danger if anyone should stumble across your phone numbers. Oh, oh, wait - it's a national security issue, and the entire stability of the country would be at stake should those nubmers get into the hands of those with nefarious purposes! (Yes, I've heard both of those.) Give me a break. I'd bet your son has let friends borrow his phone any number of times, giving loads of people access to your top secret phone number(s).

If the kid needs a phone after school hours, buy him a new one (you can get prepaid phones cheap these days) and allow him to have it only when he needs it.

 

[justmemom]

Xylene, thanks for taking the opportunity to read and digest my entry. Your suggestions are appreceiated, have been thinking on the same lines. I'll be on it again on monday.