Why the Cell Phone in School Debate Matters to All
Whether you have children in school or not, the issue of cell phone use touches you every day. Come join the Advance and area school leaders to discuss the issue.
By Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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The use of cell phones in schools has sparked a debate that goes far beyond the classroom. Here in the Diamond (Caroline, Fredericksburg, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford), this past year has seen cell phone discussions and actions take center stage in our public schools.
On Wednesday night, March 19, the Advance is convening representatives to talk about how new cell phone policies have played out in their districts, the discussions the policies have generated, how well the intended consequences have developed, and what unintended consequences have emerged.
Certainly, everyone is interested to know the responses the districts will deliver. And people will also be watching this summer to see if the policies have translated into better performance on state standardized testing.
The topic, however, is about far more than our students. Are we all ceding too much to technology? Is banning cell phones a well-meaning response that could have negative impacts down the road? Do parents, guardians, and relatives need to reassess their own cell phone use?
As with any challenging issue, there are no simple answers. And whether you have children in the school systems or not, the topic itself does affect all of us.
We invite you to join us on March 19 in the School Board room for Fredericksburg City Schools at 6:00 pm to hear from those on the frontlines of this challenge, and to join a public discussion about how cell phone use is reshaping our communities for better and worse.
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