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 ?

There is normally a camera in every classroom at the school I work at, they are frequently used by both children and adults to take pictures/videos of children at work, completed crafts etc, which are then used in a variety of ways - would you ban all this too, in case someone used the camera inappropriately?

I'd agree that taking a private call/text on a mobile while teaching is best avoided.

The trouble is MmeLindt, all of them appear to be at it so to speak, last years teachers too.
I'm just really shocked actually.

is it possible that teachers and office use mobiles for internal messages, our school texts parents all time with info and messages.

panzee, apologies I thought you were a professional...sorry for any misunderstanding. I didn't realise you were a volunteer giving up your own unpaid time. Idiot.

Panzee I wasnt having a go... I just assumed it wouldnt be allowed.

I am not allowed mine in a call centre but its on in case my boy needs me too.

Most of the day nurseries here have a no mobile phone policy. If you want to use it you have to leave the premises, even on your lunch.

RustyBear did you ever take that camera home with you and have the photo's available of your pupils to pass on inappropriately ? If so then yes I'd ban all that too.

Is it often, mamatomany? Daily?

You shout as well do you Panzee worth your weight in gold then

My colleague leaves her phone on but that is because she is a single mum who wants to know her sons have made it to secondary school ok. I don't consider that unprofessional in the least.

I don't have such a reason, so mine stays off.

Why would you want to assume that all mobile phone use must be for such an extremely immoral reason? This monster is an exception to the rule that shows the vast majority of abuse happens by some one known to the victim.

if you feel it is unprofessional, fine complain but to suggest peodophilia becomes a very serious charge indeed and you need to think long and hard about that.

mamtomany all schools have an e-safety policy to say when, where and by whom technology should be used. You could ask to see the school's policy, which should tell about teachers' use of mobiles.

On our e-safety policy, children's photos / videos should be downloaded at school, not on personal computers or from personal cameras (unless agreed by HT). Teachers sign these agreements and are trusted to keep them.

I used my mobile several times in my classroom today..... all in order to check the time as I forgot my watch and the classroom clock is useless.

MmeLindt The truth is I don't know and wouldn't want to go to the head with a diary of phone use by the teachers documented by my children.
I don't think they should have them on them at all though.
I'd apply the same to any setting where people are supposed to be being cared for.

I find it incredibly sad that the action of a handful of disturbed people are causing so many parents to get so paranoid that they truly believe that cameras should be banned from schools, playgrounds, school plays etc.

We live in Switzerland and when I read threads like this, I am incredibly grateful that we do not live in UK. The pedo-hysteria would drive me mad.

No, I don't take them home. But are you really saying that you don't think there should be any photos or videos taken of children in case they are used inappropriately?

totally agree Mmelindt

mamatomany Yep! And sometimes I give out Smarties as rewards for knowing their times tables.

I'm not assuming all mobile phone use is for anything but texting and talking but since the nurseries consider this to be a risk they aren't prepared to take i'm surprised that doesn't apply to school age children too.

I'm sorry you feel it's hysteria MmLindt but I take great care to ensure nothing happens to my children and however rare it is it's somebody's son or daughter I don't want it to be mine is that so wrong ?

No teacher I work with or know would respond to a text in a lesson unless it was really important and I would be inclined to trust in their professional judgment

I would only consider a complaint if it was a regular issue rather than a one off.

Has it happened before...?

I disagree with anyone texting or answering a phone on personal business whilst they're working.
I do use my phone instead of a watch though, and I'm also fed up with having to evidence everything I teach with bloody photos, so go ahead MTM start a campaign to ban cameras. And those useless and annoying digiblus as well. And students from having anything but a basic handset without camera or email facilities too.
Bliss.

Nurseries are completely different though, because the children are (sometimes) not verbal yet.

I went to a talk given by the police about protecting our children from sexual abuse and not once did they talk about people taking photographs in public.

The best way to protect your children is to strengthen their self-confidence. To make the confident enough to say to someone who is doing something they are uncomfortable with that they do not like it and that the person should stop.

Pedophiles do not pick children at random. They chose the most vulnerable, the children whose parents would not question why the child was late home from after school club.

The country is not crawling with paedophiles mamatomany.

No professional I know would use their mobile during class time either. It is not necessary. Any personal issues can be resolved with notification to the school office if necessary.