Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Representative Sheryl Allen is drafting a bill dealing with cell phones in schools. It would require all Utah's districts have a policy on electronic gadgets. Many already have such policies. Some districts say phones must be turned off in class. Others include locker rooms and restrooms. Others say if a student is caught using a cell phone, it will be confiscated. A parent may have to come pick it up if they want the phone back.
Educators say cell phones could be used to text answers back and forth during a test, take pictures of a test, or take pictures of other students in the locker room or restroom.
Students I talked to say they haven't seen cheating but admit their phones are a distraction in class. Kids text so fast these days, they can text under their desks without even looking. Some people who (ironically enough) texted in to Utah's Morning News this morning at 57500 said texting is no different than kids passing notes on paper. I think it is different. I think some people text so much they can't communicate in real life anymore. I watch friends get text messages from guys who are too chicken to actually hold a conversation, or call the girl up and ask her out on an official date. How can "What R U doing?" be part of a relationship?
Now, on to the baby update. The doctor says I am so close, if don't have the baby this week then she'll induce me next week. So this could be my last blog entry for a while! I'm planning on a 12 week maternity leave. Since I'm the only female news reporter on staff I hope listeners don't get tired of the all-male news -- ok, it's not all male, we have Amanda Dickson and Maria Shilaos hosting, plus Ricki Meece does traffic in the morning and Sheryl Worsley often does the noon show. On the weekends we have Jackie McKay. Then there are the female national ABC news correspondents. They'll have to book Ann Compton at the White House for more live shots on KSL while I'm gone (:
