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New School Policies Tell Students To Cover Up And Put Away Cell Phones And iPods
By Catherine Snipe
Brick students will return to school with increased rules on how to dress and where to put their iPods. At its August 17 meeting, the township board of education's August 17 approved the newly amended policies, which outline appropriate student attire and approved computer use.
One policy prohibits students from taking out their cell phones, iPods, personal data assistants and other handheld electronic devices during instruction, only allowing such use before and after the school day.
Sending a quick text message, such as thoughts on what to do during lunch period is no longer allowed. Students must keep these portable devices out of classrooms and instead leave them in lockers and turned off during school hours.
Another policy spells out how students may use the school's computers, and prohibits several dozen actions while online or using other computer programs. Many of the provisions deal with Internet use.
First and foremost, the district says, access to the district's electronic communications system, including the Internet, shall be made available to students and employees for instructional and administrative purposes only.
"Access to the district's electronic communications system is a privilege, not a right," reads the policy.
Students are required to get permission to use the computers, which are only accessible when supervision is present. There are also prohibitions for students trying to use other students' passwords and accounts.
Once online, students are limited in what they can post or display, including materials or messages, whether public or private, that are defamatory, sexually oriented or threatening.
In addition, students cannot use the network for commercial activities, either, such as shopping on websites like Amazon.com or selling an item on eBay. Students also cannot leave or send anonymous messages, such as an anonymous post to a web site's guest book or forum.
Websites, such as Myspace.com or Facebook. com, allow students to post personal information and addresses about themselves, which the new policy placing limits on this type of activity on its computers, citing such personal information could potentially be used inappropriately.
A dress code is also in place, prohibiting such clothing as flip-flops and sunglasses while in school. There are also provisions for students wearing pants too low on the waist which reveal their boxer shorts or other undergarments. Clothing which reveals undergarments or parts of the body, such as clothing like belly shirts, tank tops or those with spaghetti straps, are now prohibited.
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