Two Lafourche schools ease phone restrictions
Last Modified: Saturday, August 18, 2012 5:03 PM
THIBODAUX (AP) — Students at Thibodaux High and South Lafourche High will be allowed to use cellphones at school this year, but other schools remain cellphone-free, school officials said.
The Daily Comet reports (http://bit.ly/PavDT7) general school board policy continues to ban any cellphone use, the board approved a pilot program at the two high schools last year that allowed cellphones under strict limits.
During school hours, students must keep phones on silent or vibrate and can't take pictures or video unless directed by a teacher.
Students can use phones only in "green zones" — public areas such as hallways and cafeterias. They aren't allowed to use phones in "red zones," which include classrooms, bathrooms, locker rooms or any secluded locations, unless asked to do so by a teacher.
Thibodaux High Principal Glenn Haydel developed the policy with former South Lafourche Principal Bubba Orgeron, who took a job at the school district's central office earlier this month.
Haydel said the policy was designed to harness the learning potential of Internet-ready smart phones. Students can use their phones in class to take advantage of learning apps, calculators and other tools, and to do online research without requiring a move to the computer lab.
The policy also allows teachers and extracurricular organizers to text information to their students. The band teacher, for example, can compile a list of students' cellphone numbers and send out texts informing them that band practice is cancelled or postponed.
Teachers are only allowed to text school-related information to groups of students. They aren't allowed to text individual students or send personal messages.
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