The Mathews County School Board focused on a pair of important issues Tuesday night—student use of cell phones in school and dealing with the problem of chronic absenteeism.
During the meeting, which was held in the Mathews High School media center, school board members indicated they would like each school to come up with its own consistent guidelines for cell phone use; and, in the matter of student absenteeism, will require parents and guardians to submit a letter to the school within five days for it to be considered an excused absence.
Cell phone use
Opinion on student use of cell phones and other mobile devices has gone back and forth over the years, from banning them outright to encouraging their use in the classroom to help students research their assignments.
Based on comments from school superintendent Nancy Welch, it appears the pendulum has begun to swing toward tighter restrictions on the devices.
“Cell phones are becoming a distinct distraction to the learning...