Elly, Michael, David, Tawra and BJ


Monday, May 12, 2008

Common sense is lost.

I am still sitting here not believing this is even an issue.

My son, 10, kept saying for the last several weeks "mom can I take my ipod ($200) to school for reward day?" (Yes, he earned the money for it himself.)

I kept thinking that he must have misunderstood the teacher and I said "we will wait until we here from your teacher".

We got a permission slip from school Friday saying that the kids can bring any portable electronic device to school for a reward for getting high scores on the state assessment tests, including laptops!

I am just shaking my head thinking "you've got to be kidding me!" What kind of stupid people let kids bring $200 + electronics to school?

So I went and talked to the teacher to ask if there were alternative rewards they can do if the parent won't allow it. She said they can bring a board game or something like that.

I said "Am I the only parent who has a problem with kids bringing a $200 ipod to school?"

She said "well, I do have a large stack of signed permission slips. "

I said "you've got to be kidding me!"

She said "they got to vote on their choice of rewards and they voted on the electronic devices"

Why was it even an option?!!!!

Then she said "this does prepare to start being responsible for things in middle school, since they will be taking things like ipods and cell phones."

Ok, I am sorry but is one of the dumbest things I've heard!

We are starting now letting them know that not all "rewards" are not responsible choices to make even if the teachers have no common sense to choose proper rewards.

We talked to him and told him that just because the teacher thinks this is ok, doesn't mean it's a smart thing to do. We asked him if it was worth loosing a $200 for playing with it 45 minutes at school? He said "no". So I hope that helps him put it into perspective.

My whole point in this, other than venting, is to tell you if you have kids start now when these things come up letting them know they won't be doing these types of things. In 2 years when he is in middle school he will know that a cell phone will not be appropriate even if everyone else has one.

BTW, we did say we would try and think of another reward for him. He said "can I have a donut from Dillions?" We said sure! A .40 donut is much better that a broken or stolen $200 ipod!

So...would you let your kid take a $200 ipod to school?

Tawra

36 Comments:

Blogger Jennifer said...

I won't let my kid have an ipod, so I guess they won't be taking it too school. I just think mine are too young, my oldest is almost 10, but still. I think that is too young.

May 12, 2008 5:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Personally, I don’t think a 10 year old should own an expensive electronic device – you were generous to let him buy it with his own money. I don’t understand why or how a 10 year old owns a lap top and a Blackberry pager. You’re right in not allowing him to bring it to school; it can only end in tears when the ipod is broken, stolen or lost. I graduated from college (and paid my own way through) in 1991 and I didn’t even own a computer!!! I typed my papers on a typewriter, and I can’t wait to tell my children that.

May 12, 2008 5:54 PM  
Anonymous Alicia said...

I agree that is ridiculous. Wait until the school has to deal w/the calls from the parents complaining about stolen and/or broken equipment.

At Christmas I was looking through a classmade book at my daughter's preschool. Every child had to end the sentence about what they wanted for Christmas. Two 4-yr. olds said they wanted ipods!

May 12, 2008 6:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whatever happened to popcorn and a movie for a reward? Or extra recess? You are to be commended for taking a stand!

May 12, 2008 6:28 PM  
Blogger Ohiomom9977 said...

The electronics seem to be for the younger and younger now. I've seen several 11-12 yr olds with cell phones. I have a 12 year old (much younger) brother who does not have one and is about the only one of his friends. My mom says she's just too old to buy into all that nonsense - and the fact that she can't afford it. No way would I let a kid take a $200 anything to school!!

May 12, 2008 7:00 PM  
Blogger Katrina said...

Not in a million years!!!!!!! What a damn stupid thing, I bet they needed persmission slips signed, did it also have a bit saying it is not the schools fault if they get stolen? I can see there being a problem if a teacher gave permission to take them to school then something happens to it.
Not in a pink fit would my kid take something of that value to school (not that mine own anything worth that much but you get the idea)

May 12, 2008 7:29 PM  
Blogger Mama of 2 said...

I completely agree with you. I can't tell you how many times my son has asked to bring his gameboy to school with him. The answer has always been no. It's not even that I just don't want it to get lost, stolen or broken but I don't believe it's appropriate. Kids should be playing, stretching their minds by using their imaginations not getting stimulation from some electronic device.
If I could get rid of all of my son's video games and systems I would.

May 12, 2008 7:35 PM  
Blogger Tawra Jean said...

Disclaimer:
Ok, I just realized that I didn't explain why my 10 year old has an ipod.

Well, he earned it. We are not a anti-technology family. My kids don't own any video games but they play games on the computer. We do have Direct TV but are about 90% we are going to disconnect it this summer when our contract is up.

BJ worked an entire year saving his money. After "thinking" on it for an additional 4 months he still really wanted it.

We figured that if he worked that hard, waited that long that it would be fine.

We figure we would rather he learn money lessons on a $200 ipod instead of a $200,000 dumb house buy in 10 years.

What's funny is we asked Elly "Do you want to save up for one?" She said "no, I'll just use yours" LOL She's learned the art of leveraging other people's money already. hehehe
That's my girl! :-)

Tawra

May 12, 2008 8:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

TOTALLY AGREE! My son is 14 and he STILL is not responsible enough to take one to school. He got a used iPod for Christmas. He was told explicitly and repeatedly: DO NOT TAKE IT TO SCHOOL. One day we were sitting in the bleachers at his football game and his friend brought my son's iPod to me, saying my son had left it at school. (!!) I'd already taken it away once, when he disobeyed the order to not touch the iPod until we could erase the previous music on it (music we did not agree with in the least). I caught him listening to the iPod that he'd snuck out of it's hiding place, and he 'lost' it for several months. So what does he do when he gets it back but sneak it to school? So we sold the thing. I'd rather he learn that lesson than it's ok to do whatever you want. No way do I condone that item going to school. Regardless of your own kid's responsibility, the sad fact remains that OTHER kids do not have respect for anything that does not belong to them. It isn't even your kid you have to worry about sometimes. You did the right thing, Tawra. Sometimes we parents have to overcome our children's inherit idiocy for their own good LOL

May 12, 2008 8:41 PM  
Blogger basketmaster said...

I do understand your frustration with the school. With that said, I have let my 15 year old freshman take her iPOD to school. It clips onto her belt loop and then goes in her pocket. It is on her body at all times. She is only allowed to use it on the bus and at lunch time. She takes a cell phone as well and keeps it in her pocket at all times with the rules of using it on the bus only. I know it is a gamble with her taking these things to school, but we do know how responsible our daughter is.

May 12, 2008 9:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think that is obsurd. I have an eight year old and I would not let him take it to school. Even though he might have bought it with his own allowance, A lot of other kids do not know how to take care of their stuff. I would be afraid he would lose it.

May 12, 2008 9:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tawra,

You don't need to explain why your son has an IPOD. My goodness, if he earned it, then thank you for teaching him the value of his investment. Did not you and your husband save for a long time to get something valuable to you, like a car? This is perspective...I congratulate you. My daughter is going on a school trip this year that she earned on HER OWN with babysitting money because it meant so much to her. She raised funds babysitting to do this. What value can a parent add to the dollar more than that? it was a goal and she met that goal.

Now, would I let my kids take the IPOD to school for a special "reward day?" Much goes into the thought considering the school district, the teacher's organization, and the children who are involved in the celebration. And by the way, is this a day where Moms are there to help make the day special therefore lending extra "eyes?"

I respond from a mother's perspective, who would say, "THis is so important to you, and you have worked so hard to achieve ownership of this. I can't see you taking a risk to put this in danger of being stolen or damaged."

From a teacher's perspective, I see myself saying, "I am your protector when you are in my classroom, and I will make sure that all is protected and cared for when you are here with me. If the class thinks this is a fun reward, then let us do it." With this said, can you trust the teacher? There lies your question.

Two points of view to consider. Can you be there on that day as a volunteer to let him have the reward and still be there to keep a watchful eye?

Consider that if it means much to your son.

Robin in CA

May 13, 2008 1:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Everything gets stolen in middle school so definitely make it a "no" to anything expensive then. My 14-year-old son has had 2 pair of black shorts stolen within 3 months. They are required to have black shorts for PE. He swears that people steal them from his PE locker and that he will get a bad grade if he doesn't have any more black shorts to change into. I told him that if the teachers have a problem with me not buying yet another pair of black shorts, let them buy them. I'm tired of supplying the middle school with clothes, let alone expensive electronic devices!

Stephanie in GA

May 13, 2008 6:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I do understand where you are coming from, but if it is his, why not trust him to take care of it? My son was 13 when he bought a 300 dollar ipod after saving money form his paper route. He had it just four days and was riding his bike on his route with the ipod. It fell out of his pocket and when he turned around to get it where it landed along side the road, a car ran over it. He came home in tears, but saved again for one. Hmm...now it was his 600 dollar ipod! He is now 16 and very responsible and a hard worker. I think the decision should be his.
Debby

May 13, 2008 7:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is going to be a bad day when the electronic gadgets get lost, broken or stolen. And I guarantee the parents who are first to sign up and allow it are the first in line to scream at the teacher and sue the school district because Susie's ipod/cell phone and DS got stolen.To Mom with stolen shorts..I think I have supplied pencils for the entire 5th grade this year because when other kids sit at my daughter's desk the kids help themselves to pens and pencils and the teachers do NOTHING. If it is not in their contract...they will not do a thing.And I live in a "good" school district. Just a little angry. LOL. It is ok to say no Tawra. It is ok to suggest something else. Your child would be heartbroken if something happened. I am sure he is a responsible person like other people have suggested in their answers about their own children. Not everyone teaches their children basic manners and skills. Scary in the 21st century.

May 13, 2008 7:50 AM  
Anonymous Jennifer said...

I totally agree with you. My son is 8 and their class treat is to bring a board game and NOT any electronic devise. I would not let him take anything of that much value to school. It is too much of a temption for someone else to steal it.
And the cell phone thing drives me nots. I see children no younger than my child with cell phones. My view is you should always know where your child is and the phone number of the place they are at. It is a rule in our house that when they start driving by themselves they are allowed to get a cell phone but NOT any earlier.
Parents today are just giving kids stuff to "buy" there love. I was not given things on a silver platter and niether will my children. They will have to earn their things in life. It did not kill me and I'm sure that my kids will survive too.
Jennifer, South Carolina

May 13, 2008 8:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tawra,

Don't try to defend yourself about letting your child have an Ipod. Give me a break, he earned the money himself, and even if he didn't, it's a parenting decision you made. You shouldn't be berated because you let your son have the Ipod. What's the big deal, anyway??

Sorry to vent but I get so sick of people passing judgement!!

May 13, 2008 8:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No, expensive item would go to school, as described, with my child. Having just had freshman orientation, and having been told that cell phones are NOT to be at school at all (but they will let them keep the phone in the car or locked locker for after school activities) or any i pods etc, per our state ed depart I wonder about the mixed message we all get. BTW, we took the text capacity off our phones. The text feature seems to be the main problem with the schools also. As soon as the contract is up (Fall 08) we are looking for one phone to use for er or school trip type events. I will be reviewing all infor you have in five months on this.
For rewards, throwing out 3-5 reasonable ideas, that any income bracket can meet to choose from sounds like a good plan for this age. Boy, you live in a high income area, my child would not be able to come to school that day.
Thanks.

May 13, 2008 8:51 AM  
Anonymous Husker Kim said...

We don't allow our middle schooler to take i-pods or game boys to school.
However, he DOES have a cell phone that we pay for. It is a security/safety issue. We have a car pool with another family--the Mom is not always 100% reliable, his school isn't in a great area, and I need to know that he can get in touch with my husband or I if he needs us. His minutes are monitored and he is not allowed to use the phone during the school day. When he was younger, I didn't think that a cell phone would be necessary--but as he got older and I have seen the reality of middle school--it is what it is. My husband was a military brat and I came from a small town--we didn't deal with the realities of a large "inner city" school.

He is a great kid--takes all of the AP classes and gets A's and B+ for grades.

Please don't assume that just because we allow the cell phone we are indulgent. You haven't walked a mile in our shoes.

thanks for letting me share!

May 13, 2008 8:59 AM  
Blogger Tawra Jean said...

I did not assume that all cell phones are a waste. In your case that is reasonable. But that is not the case in 80-90% of the kids who have them.
Tawra

May 13, 2008 9:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

oh absolutely not!... you are soo right!... my son (who is now 18) when he was in middle school lots of the kids were taking their game boys and cell phones and etc to school... the classes were so large and only 1 teacher that alot of the time the teacher didnt realize the students were playing on their gameboys and not doing the work...
my son knew i used to check his book bag b4 he left the house ...
i used to let him play his game boy when i drove him to school but when he got out of the car, the game boy was left with me... and as far as a cell phone goes, nope nope nope... who would he talk to? all of his friends were at school and in the same classes as him...
i thought it was odd too when i saw parents letting their kids take those things to school or maybe the parents didnt really know...
i know that i kept a close eye on my son bc he used to ask me if it was ok for this or that and if i said no, i still checked his pockets and book bag... not that i didnt trust him bc we did raise him right but that peer pressure and temptation was too great bc yes, he was one of the "uncool" kids bc he didnt have a cell phone or whatever the electronic device was that other kids had (be it game boy or something else at the time)...
tawra, you and mike are doing the right thing but telling your son he needs to keep his $200 electronic device at home where it cant be stolen or broke...
:D

May 13, 2008 10:14 AM  
Blogger marci357 said...

NO! As a previous mid-school secretary, I would have to say NO to sending any type of electronic equipment to school. These things get stolen so often! (At school, from their locker, during lunch, on the bus, etc...) And depending on the value of it, the police often have to be called in to deal with it. Of course, if one is ok with having it stolen or lost, then I'd say go ahead and take it.

Just because the other kids' parents allow it doesn't mean it is right, and doesn't mean you should have to. You always have that right to do what you feel is best for your child.

The exception (in my book) would be a cell phone for emergency parent contact. Most schools have a no-cell-phone use rule, except before and after school. With only one office phone for over 350 kids to use for emergencies, (schedule changes for practices, etc) after school cell phone use made sense.

May 13, 2008 11:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There's no way I'd let a child that young take something so expensive to school.

When my son was in Kindergarten and 1st grade, pogs were a big thing. Someone got in his backpack and stole the really nice metal pog he had. Then they stole his wallet. We knew the boy who stole the wallet. His dad called to say his son had found it. Everything was there but the two dollars he had in it. I didn't say anything to the dad, because I know the boy would have gotten beat.

Those are just small things. Now think about a $200 ipod or a laptop. Good grief!!!

May 13, 2008 11:16 AM  
Anonymous Maggie said...

The way I see it is that if a kid saved $200 and was allowed to spend it on a piece of electronics instead of putting it into savings, he should be allowed to do whatever he wants with it. It is his.

My daughter wants an MP3 player, and she's getting one for her birthday. It is made by SanDisk and cost me $35. I asked her for three reasons that an iPod is better than other brands of MP3 players and she couldn't give me a single one. The lesson she is learning is that it is silly to waste $200 just to get a trendy, temperamental, easily damaged piece of electronics when she could get something that works better for a fraction of the cost. If she wants to take it to school and lose it, so be it. She'll wait until the next birthday before she gets another one.

Teaching financial responsibility to children doesn't stop at making them save up for things.

May 13, 2008 1:03 PM  
Anonymous Holly said...

I agree with your decision, Tawra.
I will say, my dd is only 7 and her father got her a cell phone. It's on him when he gets an expensive bill! I would not have gotten her one yet. We are divorced and she lives in a different city so we were eventually going to make sure that she had one, but I was going to get one of those prepaid ones that you can program in the phone numbers so she could only call her father, myself, or grandparents in an emergency. She does not have an ipod but did get a $29 Sansa mp3 player for Christmas, which she loves!
Way to stick to your guns.

May 13, 2008 2:33 PM  
Anonymous Eva said...

My question to the teacher would have been, how many of those signatures did you check for authenticity? I hope those kids are to young to forge their parents' names, or to ask an older friend/sibling to do it, but if they aren't too young for the ipod, maybe not???

No teacher can be responsible for the belongings of children who are not with them the entire day. There is the bus, the lunch room, the bathroom, etc, where the teacher isn't there.

As a former teacher, I know I could not guarantee the safety of those items unless the child were brought to the school by a parent and the device was locked in a drawer to which I alone had the key. And if the device was only removed in my presence and no one left or entered the room during the time when the items were out. At the end of the day the children would have to be picked up again by parents to whom I hand the device. Any other scenario would make it probable that something would be stolen!

BTW, someone told me the other day that you can get ipods for $15-25 at Wal-Mart. Maybe the parents who signed agreed because they were very inexpensive?

I also agree that there are other rewards better suited for a school atmosphere! My 5th graders always wanted and were happy with extra recess!

If it was a cheap ipod I might let my child take it so that they could practice taking care of valuables away from me. However, I also see the value in learning not to do something just because an authority figure and my peers are condoning/doing it. I agree that you made the best choice and I am glad to hear your son saw the wisdom in not taking it!
Blessings! Eva

May 13, 2008 3:17 PM  
Anonymous Husker Kim said...

Eva,

You can get cheap MP3 players at Walmart. Ipods are sold at approved retailers for prices that are agreed upon by the Apple Corp. All new Ipods are sold for the same price everywhere--there is not a "cheap" way to buy a new one. Their rules--they make them up!

May 13, 2008 4:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is an interesting discussion. Considering all the junk/filth/non-sense most children entertain themselve with on electronics, I think that unless the child is heavily supervised these devices should not be in their hands at all. I also question why they are playing around at school anyway. Kids use these devices all the time-not really such a treat to do what they do constantly. As a former school teacher I could think of thousands of better things to do that would be fun and might just teach them something at the same time!!! I see these devices as a distraction and am not sure why they are allowed in schools.In many way, I see these devices as dumbing down our children. So many have become mindless drone who seem like zombies attached to some electronic item. Children today have poor speaking, writing and communicating skills in general. Most cannot do math without an electronic device. And just do not expect a cashier to be able to give correct change without the machine telling them what to do-if something goes wrong they are without any resources as to how to function.

But that all aside, speaking from a finacial point, why would kids this age be spending so much money anyway. I understand your son earned his own money and you have overseen the whole process and use-good for you. I am sure in many ways, because of your example he is more mature in this area so from a financial point he is more ready for such expenditures. But speaking in general terms I think it is ludicrious for children to even have access to such large amounts of money. Kids today are clueless to the value of anything and are so spoiled-they get whatever they desire and have no clue the work/cost ratio.

I am probably much older than than most of your readers but I come from a philosophy of waiting years for most things. I was almost 40 before having a computer-I have had a total of four computers-now I have a laptop. I was a few years older when I got a cell phone. I think it helps us understand value if we have to wait to get things, especially luxuries such as computers, cell phones and other such electronic devices. Believe it or not, we can function today without all these devices hanging off our bodies. I have even made it a point of waiting for better products to come on the market. Instead of rushing out and getting the latest greatest device at the unbelievable prices they start out at, I wait and eventually they combine product and make much more effecient items that cost much less. I just got new cell phones for my husband and myself: almost $400 retail for free. I don't get a cell phone unless it is free. My daughter on the other hand-an adult-had to have the Razor phone in pink when it first came out so she spent close to $500 and later found out that they are very fragile and hers broke and was not able to be fixed so she had to purchase a replacement!!!!!! When she wanted to purchase a laptop last year for $3000-I about croaked. Just because she was an adult and making her own money-still living at home-was no reason to let her squander it-I told her to let me take care of it and I found her a really great laptop for $600-she was grateful!!!:):)She was blinded by the glitz,a sales pitch and the mentality of wanting what "everyone" else had. I got her better for much less. I do think she is finally learning!!!!!:):)

I have found that if everyone in the home has all their own devices that the family falls apart. One TV, one computer, etc., used by the whole family keeps us from always being separate from one another, saves much money and helps us parents supervise our children and each other.

I think our society ought to wake up and see the danger in these devices-sqandered funds, dumbing down our society, being lured into wrong thoughts and activities, isolating ourselves from others, etc. I in no way think the devices are evil and know they can be used properly and effectively. I just think in our society of people with little self-control, really messed up value systems and low character there need to be some boundaries/restrictions. Other than for academic use, these devices should not be in our schools.

Case in point: recently in my area a very large worldwide company fired 132 employees on a single day for gambling online at work-they were warned but still didn't stop. There have as well been many fired for watching porn at work in the same company. People are putting their lives and the lives of their families on the line for these electronic devices.

What are they thinking or are they thinking???? Propetuating this idea that we cannot exist aside from our electronic devices is very dangerous.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

May 14, 2008 8:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just wanted to say that reading all of the posts here has given me hope for the future. I see so many mothers dragging their kids through the grocery store. The kids whining they want something and nagging mom. What does mom do? Either shoo them away or roller her eyes in frustration and put it in the cart. Most of the time she's too busy on her bluetooth phone to bother with her kid! I get so scared seeing how parents and children interact...I'm glad there are at least some parents out there who are raising their kids with some sense and responsibility. Harrah for you all!

May 14, 2008 9:08 AM  
Anonymous Chris Johnson said...

I agree with you wholeheartedly!!!!! I am a former, but now retired school teacher, and I and most of my colleagues agree with you!!!!! But the world has changed!!!! What used to be common sense has been replaced with whatever makes you feel good, do it!!!!!! When I started teaching 40 some years ago, common sense was rampant!! And expected!!! But somewhere along the way, things began changing!! I suspect it had something to do with the 60's rebellion, but I'm not sure. Anyway, so many parents now think that anything their child wants, should be allowed! NO RESPONSIBILITY is being used any more!!! I wish I knew what could be done about it. I'm glad there are still some "old fashioned" parents who still use common sense like you!!!

May 15, 2008 4:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My twelve year old has a nano and cell phone. She takes them both to school everyday. I am so proud of the responsibility she has shown in keeping track of her belongings. I think it is a case by case issue. There are kids that just aren't ready and lose things too much. I was one of those children. I lost my shoes once! She knows that when they are gone they are gone.

May 15, 2008 6:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My 13 year old son has a cellphone. He doesn't make friends easily and this way he can easily keep in touch with teammates of his who don't go to his school. He also has an MP3 player and is very responsible. He takes both to school. Why not? They stay in the pockets of his pants. My 11 year old daughter also has an MP3 player. I had a Walkman when I was their age.

As for the lady ranting and raving about "junk/filth/non-sense most children entertain themselve with on electronics"--gimme a break. These things are just tools. My son with the cellphone and MP3 player also reads Voltaire and Ovid for pleasure. My daughter programs robots for fun. Stop making silly assumptions about what children are doing. MP3 players are harmless devices for listening to music, nothing more.

May 16, 2008 4:13 PM  
Blogger story girl said...

I don't have my own children, but I do teach at a high school. Our kids are "not allowed" to have portable electronic devices, but the way the rule is worded they are just not allowed to have them out in class. This frustates me to no end. I had a ninth grader lose her entire purse containing her ipod, phone, and credit card (!!!!), and all I could think was "well why did you have it in school?"

I hate it. I hate the concept of being responsible for their decisions because, although the school claims no liability, if a child loses a $200 item while in my care, I will feel responsible.

Not to mention, we as teachers become completely unable to monitor what they see or listen to. I'll play music for them all out loud on a reward day, but I'm not letting them sit there with headphones on. Not knowing what I know about what's out there.

May 16, 2008 9:04 PM  
Anonymous Michelle said...

My daughter is in 7th grade and she is not allowed to take her IPod to school either. I get the "but everyone else does" , but she knows I won't budge on this one! Hers was a gift from her grandpa and I sure hope she values it.

I am going to comment on the cell phone issue as I know that is a "hot topic." My daughter's is a "pay as you go" no contract phone. In this day and age, I just feel much safer knowing she has a phone with her when she is not with us...just in case. I know many feel differently about this, but it is more for our peace of mind and her safety. She only gets a very small amount of minutes a month, so she knows the phone is NOT for socializing! I know so many parents are against them, but if a child learns the proper use for them, then I really do not see a problem with it. That's my soapbox! :)

May 19, 2008 1:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, I teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Every morning, I have to collect electronic devices from students and lock them away until the end of the day. These days, so many kids do have phones and ipods. They listen to them on their 1 hour bus ride home. Some of them have a phone to arrange for rides home and such. I feel for the teacher. I might not have done an electronics reward at age 10, but I have done it for middle school. It is hard to find rewards they actually want as they get older. We lock them up all day, so that helps with the lost/stolen issue. I don't think it's such a big deal. Don't be so hard on the teacher. Our jobs are really complicated!

May 20, 2008 11:13 PM  
Blogger MarcellaFL said...

My 10 year old has an iPod shuffle I found for $50. It is all she needs. I have allowed her to take it on a field trip ONCE and luckily it came home. It was a risk I was willing to take since she is pretty responsible and it was relatively inexpensive. I would not allow a $200 one go to school though. Too risky. There have been children mugged for less ...

May 21, 2008 10:18 AM  

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