A TALK ON THE PHONE
KURTIS J. FLOOD - GHS PRINCIPAL
JASON KARNES – ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
MARCH AND APRIL 2025
PARENT PRESENTATION
SUPPOSE A SALESMAN IN AN ELECTRONICS STORE TOLD YOU HE HAD A NEW PRODUCT FOR YOUR 11-YEAROLD DAUGHTER THAT WOULD BE VERY ENTERTAINING; EVEN MORE SO THAN TELEVISION; WITH NO HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS OF ANY KIND, BUT ALSO NO MORE THAN MINIMAL BENEFITS BEYOND THE ENTERTAINMENT VALUE. HOW MUCH WOULD THIS PRODUCT BE
OPPORTUNITY COST
THE LOSS OF OTHER POTENTIAL GAINS WHEN ONE ALTERNATIVE IS CHOSEN.
COMMUNITY BASED ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM
What we believe we should be accountable to
GODLEY’S 7 PILLARS
• STUDENT LEARNING AND PROGRESS
• STUDENT READINESS
• ENGAGED AND WELL ROUNDED
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS
• EFFECTIVE STAFF
• FISCAL AND OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
• SAFETY AND WELL-BEING
WHAT OTHER INFORMATION WOULD YOU WANT TO KNOW?
CELL PHONE STRUGGLES AT GHS
• REFUSAL TO GIVE A PHONE TO A TEACHER
• PICTURES OF OTHER STUDENTS POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITHOUT PERMISSION OR KNOWLEDGE
• VIDEO RECORDINGS OF FIGHTS
• FAKE INSTAGRAM PROFILES CREATED ASKING FOR NUDE PHOTOS OR WANTING TO FIGHT
• THREATS OF VIOLENCE TO SCHOOL AND PEOPLE
• CHEATING
• COMMUNICATING NEFARIOUS ACTIVITIES
• DISTRACTED
GODLEY HIGH SCHOOL STAFF SURVEY OF CELL PHONES
GODLEY HIGH SCHOOL STAFF SURVEY OF CELL PHONES
1 – Not Problematic to 5 – Extremely Problematic
75%
AREAS OF CONCERN THAT CELL PHONES CONTRIBUTE TO
DO YOU BELIEVE THE BENEFITS OF PHONES OUTWEIGH THE NEGATIVES?
95%
DO YOU BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE A SCHOOL WIDE RESTRICTION ON CELL PHONE USE?
LEADING RESEARCH
• PRETEENS SPEND AROUND 40 HOURS A WEEK ON THEIR PHONES FOR SCREEN BASED LEISURE ACTIVITIES
• 13 – 18 YEAR OLDS SPEND 50 HOURS PER WEEK
• 1/3 OF TEENS REPORT BEING ON MAJOR SOCIAL MEDIA “ALMOST CONSTANTLY”
• 45% OF TEENS REPORT TO USING INTERNET “ALMOST CONSTANTLY”
• JONATHAN HAIDT – THE ANXIOUS GENERATION, PG 119
IF YOU COUNT ALL THE TIME THAT THEY (TEENS) ARE ACTIVELY THINKING ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA WHILE MULTITASKING IN THE REAL WORLD, IT MEANS TEENS SPEND AROUND 16 HOURS PER DAY IN WHICH THEY ARE NOT FULLY PRESENT IN WHATEVER IS GOING ON AROUND THEM.
-JONATHAN HAIDT, THE ANXIOUS GENERATION, PG 118
Isn’t it better to teach kids to use phone responsibly rather than take them away?
Brain science research and expert psychiatrists say the adolescent brain is not able to manage the addictive pull of cell phones and social media. The social media platforms and games that young people spend much time on were deliberately designed to be addictive. Additionally, part of teaching responsible use is creating phone-free zones that help students understand that phones are a tool to be used at specific times in specific ways, rather than being something that is on and used 247.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY PARENTS (ADAPTED FROM PHONE FREE SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATOR TOOLKIT)
Will it be harder for students to make connections and friends if they are offline all day?
Social media tends to foster asynchronous interactions leading to greater levels of anxiety, loneliness, and depression. In-person socializing forms far stronger connections and supports the development of healthier social and emotional skills.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY PARENTS (ADAPTED FROM PHONE FREE SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATOR TOOLKIT)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY PARENTS (ADAPTED FROM PHONE FREE SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATOR TOOLKIT)
TRACKING A THREAT
• THREAT POSTED IN GODLEY ISD UNDER A FAKE ACCOUNT
• INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS FLAG “GUN” ”SCHOOL” ”SHOOTING” AND THEN IT SHOWS ON FAKE ACCOUNTS
• NEW ACCOUNT IS CREATED
• COPYCAT POST IS MADE FROM WHEREVER
• “KIDS ARE SO FREE WITH WHO THEY BECOME FRIENDS WITH ONLINE THAT A POST IN TEXAS WILL QUICKLY MAKE ITS WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE FREQUENTLY RECEIVE THREATS THAT POP UP HERE ALL THE TIME FROM NEW ENGLAND OR CALIFORNIA.” - POLICE OFFICER WITH BURLESON PD
• “STUDENTS WANT TO BE AN INFLUENCER – SO THEY ACCEPT ANY FRIEND REQUEST” – CHIEF MATT QUINTEROS
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
• BEST PRACTICE IN AN EMERGENCY IS FOR STUDENTS TO FOLLOW DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS
• GISD WILL SEND FREQUENT ANNOUNCEMENTS THROUGH PARENT SQUARE AND SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS
• IF STUDENTS LEAVE THE CAMPUS, THEY SHOULD CALL HOME
• JOSHUA ISD INCIDENT
LOCKDOWN OR CRISIS OPERATIONS
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SCHOOLS BECOME CELL PHONE FREE?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SCHOOLS BECOME CELL-PHONE FREE?
LA VEGA HIGH SCHOOL
La Vega High School Displine Referrals 2021-2022 SY to 23-24 SY
Fall of 23-24
La Vega High School Discipline Referrals 2021-2022 SY to 23-24 SY
ABILENE WYLIE HIGH SCHOOL
THE
1ST SIX WEEKS FAILURE REPORT DROPPED FROM 12.2% TO 6.8%
-ABILENE WYLIE HS PRINCIPAL REAGAN BERRY
A DRAMATIC STORY
“IF IT WERE IN MY POWER, I WOULD HAVE ALREADY BANNED THEM IN ALL SCHOOLS IN THE STATE.”
Commissioner of Education Mike Morath to Senate Education Committee in September 2024
PROPOSED LEGISLATION IN THE CURRENT 89TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION
• House Bill 1446 – TEA will conduct a study to measure cell phone
• House Bill 1258 – Districts will adopt a policy prohibiting device use during the day
• Senate Bill 966 – Districts will adopt a policy restricting device use during the day
• Senate Bill 1459 – Districts will adopt a policy restricting device use during the day
WE ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS MOVEMENT
• SEVERAL OTHER DISTRICTS
• MULTIPLE STATES
• FOREIGN COUNTRIES
CURRENT POLICY
TEACHERS HAVE DISCRETION TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO USE PHONES FOR ACADEMIC OR BEHAVIORAL REASONS IN CLASS. PHONES ARE ALSO ALLOWED DURING LUNCH AND PASSING PERIODS. RESTROOMS AND LOCKER ROOMS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY ARE RESTRICTED AREAS AND IF STUDENTS ARE CAUGHT WITH THEIR PHONE IN THE BATHROOM THEY CAN RECEIVE DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES.
PROPOSED POLICY
CELLULAR DEVICES AND DEVICES THAT CONNECT TO YOUR CELL PHONE, (WATCHES, HEADPHONES, AND AIR PODS) WOULD BE PUT AWAY AT THE FIRST BELL AND NOT ALLOWED UNTIL THE FINAL DISMISSAL BELL AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY. EXCEPTIONS COULD BE GRANTED BY CAMPUS ADMINISTRATION PER TEACHER REQUEST FOR SPECIFIC ACADEMIC PURPOSES OR AS A REWARD FOR CAMPUS INITIATIVES.
EXCEPTIONS
• MEMORABLE MOMENTS FOR PHOTOS
• HOMECOMING, SR. ACTIVITIES
• ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVED CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
• BAND DRILL APP, FOREIGN LANGUAGE MICROPHONE
• MEDICAL NOTES FROM MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FOR VERY SPECIFIC NEEDS. (I.E. DIABETES MONITORING)
• ATTENDANCE INCENTIVE ON FRIDAY DURING LUNCH IF CAMPUS HAS 96% ATTENDANCE FOR THE WEEK.
CONSEQUENCES
• 1ST WOULD BE PHONE HELD IN THE FRONT OFFICE AND STUDENT PICKS IT UP AFTER SCHOOL.
• 2ND OFFENSE – PHONE HELD IN FRONT OFFICE AND PARENT NOTIFIED AND PHONE GIVEN BACK TO THE STUDENT
• 3RD OFFENSE – PHONE HELD IN THE FRONT OFFICE UNTIL A PARENT CAN PICK IT UP AND PLAN CREATED BETWEEN THE PARENTS AND SCHOOL
ADVICE FOR PARENTING IN CELL PHONE GENERATION (WHAT DID OUR PARENTS TEACH US)
• SET LIMITS
• PLENTY OF REST AND SCREENS DOWN 30 MINUTES BEFORE BED
• NO SUCH THING AS CHILD PRIVACY – KIDS ARE SMART
• DINNER AT LEAST 5 TIMES PER WEEK WITHOUT THE PHONE
• HAVE CHILD TURN OFF NOTIFICATIONS