How to word a letter about mobile phones being used in the classroom ?

[mamatomany]

Apparently my 6 year olds year 2 teacher asks them to hang on a minute whilst she responds to a text
There was something on the radio about the case in Plymouth and I just casually said none of your teachers have mobiles do they ? Turns out all three have witnessed teachers using their phones whilst the children work during the lessons.
I feel this is extremely unprofessional and in light of events should have been stopped months ago.
I want to approach the head WWDY ?

[MmeLindt]

The case in Plymouth?

[ZZZenAgain]

yes, please explain about the case in Plymouth.

[mamatomany]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11682161

It's been discussed on the news all day.

[frasersmummy]

I completely agree its unprofessional and I would be angry.

That said there is a very slight possibility that there were extenuating circumstances eg ill relative..

I would maybe write to the head asking what the policy is. They will tell you and will most probs ask why.

Then you can tell them and let them deal with it

[frasersmummy]

I cant see the correlation between a nursery nurse abusing toddlers and a teacher texting in front of a class

[mamatomany]

I am not comfortable with them having their mobiles on them at all, what's to say they can't film during PE or changing rooms, highly unlikely but then so was the VG case.

[MmeLindt]

Oh, I just never made the connection.

It is totally different situation.

These are school children, not defenseless toddlers. And the teacher is texting in front of a whole class full of DC.

For an odd occasion, I would not mind. If she were using her phone a lot then I would complain.

[stoatsrevenge]

I agree that it is totally unprofessional and got very annoyed with a TA last year when she received texts in the playground.

BUT.... there is no correlation between that and taking photos of child abuse!!!

[Panzee]

Mine will stay on, but I won't be casually texting. It's in case my son is ill or there is an emergency.

[mamatomany]

I had just wrongly assumed that schools like nurseries now would have banned staff having their personal mobile phones on their person during the school day.

[nancydrewrocked]

Oh good god - if your DC's teacher is the "type" to want to inappropriately film them, whether or not they have access to a mobile phone to enable them to do so is the least of your worries.

[scurryfunge]

It has nothing to do with the potential paedophile round every corner and more to do with unprofessionalism. Teachers do not need mobiles on in the classroom. Wait until break if you need to receive texts.

[stoatsrevenge]

What's stopping someone from a nearby house filming the children in PE? What about the beach? Do you fully clothe your children and confiscate cameras from anyone within 1000 metres of your children? I think you need to be a little bit more realistic about this.

[Panzee]

scurryfunge I will smile and nod about the breaktime thing but my phone will stay on and if I receive a message I will look. My little darling is more important to me than your little darlings!

[MmeLindt]

mamatomany
Sorry, I know that the Plymouth case was shocking and that has made many parents worry about their children, but you are being unreasonable. There are not hundreds of pedophiles in the schools, lurking in the changing rooms to take photos of videos of the children getting changed.

[cazzybabs]

I would speak to the head... highly unprofessional. I do occasionally check emails but only internal ones and only when the children get ready for lunch

[mamatomany]

Unfortunately Nancy I have no way of knowing what type my child's teacher is do I, I didn't interview him/her. Since at my DC's nursery we cannot enter the building with our mobiles even as parents and all staff leave their phones in their lockers I would have thought the same would apply to schools.

[frasersmummy]

panzee. I assume you are a teacher and that suprises me.

I thought school policy would have been that you were contactable through the office/head in an emergency and personal mobiles would be in the staff room.

You live and learn

[Panzee]

frasersmummy he's my boy. What would you do?

[MmeLindt]

Although I do agree that if the teachers are regularly using their mobiles, that you should have a word with the teacher or head teacher.

But do not mention the Plymouth case - it will seriously weaken your argument.

Say that you do not feel that the teacher is behaving unprofessionally and not giving her class her full attention. But not that she could be a pedophile who gets off on filming 6yos doing maths exercises.

[mamatomany]

Panzee, when you are responsible for my little darling you damn well give them your full attention, I assume you are happy with your childcare provision, you are mine.

[stoatsrevenge]

Goodness me, we all have CRB checks. Why should we leave our mobiles in the staff room? I'd think that was a bloody liberty.

[Panzee]

Mamatomany don't worry, I can text and shout at the same time.

[phipps]

I don't think a teacher should be texting in class.

[MmeLindt]

Panzee
I used to work in sales. If I was serving you and turned away to check my mobile because it could be the nursery calling about my child, would you accept that? Or would you be cross?

You are contactable. If there is an emergency then the nursery can call your school. I think that your argument is flawed.