Student suspended for cellphone call from mom in Iraq

Um, ok, another completely egregious one to file in the why-public-school-sucks scrapbook; Kevin Francois of Spencer High in Columbus, Georgia, was suspended for the rest of the school year for refusing to hang up on a cellphone call from his mother, a soldier positioned in Iraq for over a year. Did we mention he took the call during his lunch break? Granted, it was against school rules to talk on the phone during session hours, but let's get real here. Hey, just one quick note, school administrators: you might be careful once Kevin's highly trained crack-operative mom gets back from fighting Iraqi insurgents—surely you could have thought of easier kids to pick on with your humbling powers of mediocre public education administration?

[Via textually]

[Douglas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

that's pretty darn sad

[Annie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Here is the fax number at the high school if you want to say something to them: 706-685-7708.

[dmaier @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Send an email to the principal..

[e-mail]

Maybe we can fight for the right to use gadgets in school and make her realize what a stupid mistake this was.

[Art @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

The sad thing about it is that I live in this god forsaken city. Ft. Benning is part of this area. Believe me, the city is that screwed up!!!! Maybe he can retire from high school rich...

[Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

What do you expect from anything run by the government loqic. The people are too stupid to make a sensible decision on the fly so they have to strictly follow the rules.

We should start a collection to send the kid to a private school.

[jands @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

*sigh*

:.(

[HandleIT @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

According to the Associated Press report he was suspended for 10 days, which, hopefully is not the rest of the school year.

But still,what a bunch of administrative jackasses!!

[DanAmpX @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Power trip... Thats all it is.
Some school admins just love having a say over everyone. But this, this is screwed up.
Surely they know that theres a time difference of about 8 or 10 hours and that phone calls of this kind are rare. The guy did nothing wrong.
I never got the suspension theory. Punish someone by not allowing them to go to school. I'm sure they're in agony over it.
Note the sarcasm.
Any who I will email them, you should all as well.

[ProudDad @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

There is very little one could say to rationalize this type of response from administrators. Rest assured, I am certain that this fine upstanding gentleman would not even think twice about using his cellphone in the event a teacher or administrator were faced with an emergency. A polite, "Sorry, it's against school policy..." would be priceless. While I am sure any administrator at this school will agree that parent-child communication is developmentally essential, I think they are probably getting a nasty taste of "foot" in their mouths.

[nathan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

oh boo-#!$%ing hoo. do any of you realize what cell phones are doing to society? to people's ability to concentrate? to public spaces? this is a gadget site, so no, of course you don't.

the kid should not have been allowed to have a telephone with him AT ALL in the school building.

what if this were a child of the president, or a senator? in that case the parent would certainly be engaged in important work, perhaps abroad, and the child might well see very little of the parent. does that justify allowing the kid to take the call? no.

[Michael Shada @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

I am a 50-year-old male and believe in strong discipline. At least more than there is now in our schools. (2 plus 2 = 5 because it feels good philosophy) BUT when I read this article I was OUTRAGED!!!
This School official (or group of officials)should be fired!!!
I don�t believe Kids should use cell phones on school time (lunch time is ok). BUT even if his Mom was just expecting a baby that day I believe there are special cases where a cell phone is to be allowed to be on ALL the time for expecting a baby or family member having an operation.(non disruptive ring and pre approved by Principal).
That�s about all I have to say for now before I start to use FOWL language and tell you really what I think of some of the IODITS that run our school system.

[Kibblesnbits @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Hey guys, go read the actual AP article. He was suspended for becoming disorderly. He cussed out a teacher when he was asked to put the phone away. The teacher obviously does not have ESP and did not know who he was talking to. He was not suspended for the cellphone call itself. He was suspended for his response to the teacher.

Breathe, people.

[Toni @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

If that could have been the last time that boy ever talks to his mom, YES, he is completely justified in taking the call.

There's a huge difference between the job of a soldier and the job of a senator, president, or other people who work abroad: Soldiers get killed. Especially in Iraq.

[Cody @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

First off to Nathan, So I guess the military isn't an important job....ok first amendment and all, you're wrong, but I support your right to say that.

Next up the school released this. http://www.mcsdga.net/news/SpencerStatement06-May051_2_.pdf

[MikeS @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

in response to #11, no you fucking asswipe.

if your dad or mom is a senator you'd live with them at washington or in whatever state.
They'd leave for like a week and then come home. Same with the president except you live in the white house.
Plus it would be the fucking president's children.. you dont screw with them.

Cell phones do screw up society, but if you had any common sense at all, you'd realize that some situations mandate you havea cell phone.
And cell phones are useful at school. How else are my kids supposed to call me after football or field hockey is over? Send homing pidgeons? yeah right.

[kyle fiducia @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

i guess it is a good thing that the rest of the year is like, a week... seriously, thats not such a bad deal, at my school i was allowed to make up all my exams too. it was like a week of vacation, esp since i'm sure his mom isn't angry with him...

[Cody @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

First off to Nathan, So I guess the military isn't an important job....ok first amendment and all, you're wrong, but I support your right to say that.

Next up the school released this. http://www.mcsdga.net/news/SpencerStatement06-May051_2_.pdf

[MikeS @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

ugh im a dumbass, my last comment should be to #13, not #11, sorry.

[jands @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

I think MikeS was talking about nathan? If not then I would like to call him an fu***** a$$wipe.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

They need to take a step back and realize WHAT they're enforcing, and while I'm at it, the parking ticket people do too.

[Ben H @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Is there a legal fund yet to sue these clowns?

[Andy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Don't get me wrong, nathan, I generally hate the way that people use cell phones. Every time I see someone driving and yapping into it reminds me of the study that showed that driving with a cell phone was actually worse than driving drunk; it's not even legal where I am. Don't even get me started about how rude and socially retarded people seem to get when they have a cell phone...

... but this isn't about cell phones, it's about a kid who got suspended from school because he was talking to his mom who could be dead tomorrow, during a LUNCH break. This is nothing less than audacious.

To #3 and all who posted links, thank you very much, I emailed all of the addresses.

[Ryan Block @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Okay everyone, cool down. I think we can mostly agree this is a pretty awful offense and a sore lack of discretion, but no need to make the comment board into a flame war, or use profane language. So cool off or we're shutting comments.

Best,
Ryan

[Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

I wonder if the kid even tried to explain that it was his deployed mother he was talking to...at the very least he should have been allowed to request a note to step outside to finish the call (by a certain time).

I doubt seriously that he can sue for anything. No financial damage was caused to him. The most he and his mother could press for is an official apology by the school's administration and (maybe) some kind of GPA compensation for the missed classes.

We shouldn't be so quick to sue people who offend us. Justice does not always have a dollar sign attached to it.

[GR @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Un-frigging-believable. Bring the kid's mother home and send whoever expelled the kid to take her place. That ought to learn `em.

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

While I believe that cell phones in school are generally a distraction, they have their own uses. My school has had the power go out multiple times--and with a school as large as it is (largest single story school in Wisconsin) there are few classrooms with natural light--what got us safely out of dark areas? The screens on our cell phones. When there are mishaps (the few bomb threats, power outtages, the chemical spill [a chemistry teacher dropped 1L of concentrated hydrochloric acid, and they decided to evacuate the school]) cell phones have proven effective to spread the news to reduce panic and confusion around the school.

Don't get me wrong. Kids shouldn't be talking on the phone while their teachers are lecturing. But when that happens, there should be consequences. Instead of making a blanked ban, expect them to act like reasonable adults* and know when and when it is not appropriate to use a cell phone.

* I know a lot of adults are not reasonable with the use of their phones. . . maybe they'll learn eventually.

[scott @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

and there a change that his mom might not even make it back from iraq.

i bet the school administrators will feel really bad about about that. "sorry kid, since your mom died, we're letting you back in school"

[Thomas Gaume @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

In case anyone's interested here's the websites that have email addresses where you can voice your opinions:

http://www.mcsdga.net/schools/high/spencer.html - Spencer High School

http://www.mcsdga.net/board/1members.html - MUSCOGEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education

[Justin D'Elia @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

I will responde to those email addresses. thank you. What's upsetting is that I'm so enraged by this I dont think I will be able to formulate a rational response, until I cool down a bit. I feel possessed to beat the shit out of every member on the administration, mercilessly.

[Lee Matherne @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Here is a comma seperated list of the email addresses for that school's principal and board members.

[e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]

[reality @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Fuck that. The kid shouldn't be getting any calls in school. Period.
He was requested to hang up the phone in accordance to the established rule. The rule isn't "No cellular phone use at all. EXCEPT if it's your mother in Iraq." Guess how many more kids will suddenly have mothers in Iraq.
He refused, got disorderly and defiant and used profanity on the way to the office. He deserved what he got plus more.

I wonder if his mother respects the rules her commanding officers give her? If her C.O. told her to hang up the phone, she damned well would have...or at least she better had.

It's idiot people like you who see no use for rules, let your kids do whatever the hell they want and wind up being idiots in school disregarding rules they don't see as "fair" or "right". Along the same lines are those that think that "everyone should win". Everyone gets a trophy, everyone is a winner. You're breeding mediocrity. Lazy asses that think because the "try" they deserve to get a good grade or a trophy. BULLSHIT! Standards are there to be met. If you don't meet them, guess what? You failed!
Can you hear the chants of the kids now: "We're number two! We're number two!"

Rules are standards by which we expect others to act. This kid didn't meet the expectation.

Here's the shocker: I was a high school teacher for two years. I had to get out because I couldn't believe how stupid, lazy, inconsiderate and disrespectful the kids were. They had no regard for rules and had to be "asked" to do work. I blame the parents for all of those traits. On top of all of that, they really didn't even care that they were stupid and had no ambition to do better. The parents didn't care that their kids were idiots either.

This was a South Jersey suburban school district, not some inner-city district.

Fuck you and your "fuck authority" attitude. Eventually, if everyone starts thinking like you, we'll have an even bigger society of idiots who think they deserve everything for doing nothing.

[adam @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Delivery unsuccessful: Mailbox has exceeded the limit

----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----


The size of this mailbox has exceeded the mailbox limit

:)

[S. Scalia @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Reality, all I can say to you is that I'm glad you're no longer a teacher.

I hope you die of cancer.

Love,

S

[Reality @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Hey douchebag- go fuck yourself. You're one of the problems this country has and will continue to have.

This kid will go to a job in the future:
Boss: Uh, Kevin, your PMI reports aren't really what we wanted.
Kevin: BUT I TRIEEEEED!
Boss: Ummm, yeah but you didn't do what we asked...
Kevin: But I trieeeeeeeeed....come on....

Scalia- I hope you trip and fall in a puddle of AIDS. And your father dies of a heart attack on Christmas morning. Douchebag.

[Vitor M. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Isto nem parece que aconteceu num pa?totalmente dependente de guerra. Ent?o rapaz fica excluido da escola s?r falar com a m?que est?m miss? no meio da guerra no IRAQUE? Fodasse, ?esmo um pa?fodido da cabe?

[Reality @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

By the way, this is a quote from the article located at:
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/11583319.htm
********************************************
Parham said the student used profanity when he was taken into the office. He said he tried to work out something with the student. But Francois said he was too frustrated he couldn't answer the phone when his mother called him the second time.

"I even asked Kevin, 'You know we can try to work something out to where if your mother wants to call you she can call you at the school,'" Parham said. "So we've tried to work with Kevin and we're going to continue to try to work with Kevin and his mother and his relatives. In the course of good order and discipline, we have to abide by our policy."
********************************************
Yeah, they sound like such serious HARD ASSES, HUH.

You fucking bunch of liberal cattle.

[met @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

How's this a gadget news? Because he was using a cellphone?

[Dave C @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

I hope you both have better days tomorrow. Take a breath. Golly.

[Byungmin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

What the hell does giving extra trophies have to do with wanting to talk to your mother who is fighting for her life among other things on the other side of the world?

Wanting to talk to your parents has nothing to do with medeocracy.

Yes, kids are disobedient and disrespectful, but thats not justification for his suspension

[Jack Campbell @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Reality: I agree with your message, but not your delivery. The profane tirade wrapped around what you're saying contradicts what you are saying about expected levels of behavior. Chill out, and say what's on your mind without the acid dripping from it. That said, I agree that rules are rules are rules. And, I agree that when we (adults or kids) are in an environment where we are subject to rules and to authority figures, we must respect those, and abide them. The kid should have looked up, sized up the situation, said, 'Sorry Mom, I have to go. I love you," and then turned off the phone.

[DanAmpX @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

I think most of our arguments are that of the rule of no cellphones allowed at school. The fact that he was approached during Lunch hour, its just a dumb rule. I also don't think we're trying to excuse the fact that this guy acted disorderly.
Chill out guys, If you're going to speak your mind at least try to tone down the language.
I think we can all agree that if this rule wasn't quite "NO CELLPHONES PERIOD" he wouldn't have been approached and we wouldn't be talking about this now. Its just the rule.. thats all, the rule, its a dumb one, and surely by the time they filled out all the paperwork to make the suspension official the administrators knew who he was talking to when he was approached.
Oh well, all that's said and done now.
Carry on

[Reality @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Byungmin-
Rule and trophies are connected as follows:
Rules are expectations. Games have winners and losers based on EXPECTATIONS. If you start handing out ribbons and trophies to everyone so everyone feels good...what's the point of striving to meet the expectations? Why try hard? What's the point?

There is an entire generation growing up expecting to succeed no matter how little they try. I'm telling you this is the truth. It was in a recent issue of Parents (or Parenting...or something to that effect.) You may even be one of those people. I don't know how old you are, or what circumstances you had growing up, so I obviously can't say for sure.

I apologize for the earlier profanity and if I could I would censor my previous posts. I get very upset with some issues. Again apologies. But Scalia- I still want you to fall in a puddle of AIDS. :)

[unreal @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Sounds like reality is "one of the problems this country has". sounds like you gave up on those kids. Oh well, at least you tried....

I love fucking school rules.
Can't bring cell phones to school. Games. chew gum. Play cards.
But we do want you to act like adults. cause thats what your not.
we want you to meet the standers. but we are cutting classes/aftershool
we want you to learn something. but we'll just pass you to the next grade.
How can the kids follow the rules when they see the adults breaking them?

[unreal @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Don't know if this is true or not:
A teacher once told me when cell phones first came out, they were banned because drug dealers would use them to make deals, etc.

Anyone know if this was true?

[Ptrix @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

And they say that the American public education system in trouble? Why, with compassionate, dedicated, and trained educators such as 'Reality', how could that possibly be so? [/end sarcasm]

[Reality @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Unreal-
You see? You are a perfect example of the problem. Not me.
If I failed every kid that *Should've* been failed...dude, 80% of my kids would've failed. Then they start to look at me funny, like I'm not doing my job.
But these kids were clearly pushed through.

They read on a 4th or 5th grade level in 9th and 10th grade. They would read 3 sentences badly and not be able to answer a question about the first one (NO COMPREHENSION.) They didn't do any homework (I know..."homework is stupid"...whatever) They didn't study for tests; They failed open-book tests; I would literally GIVE them the test to take home and they could use the "cheat sheet" the next day...they still failed because they simply didn't care enough to do it. They couldn't take notes, they wanted them put on an overhead or simply handed to them xeroxed; they complained at games we would play or even videos in class (and complained at regular schoolwork)
I could go on, but why?

On top of everything, they didn't give a rat's a** that they failed. But if we failed them, somehow WE were at fault. It's a sad state of affairs. And don't blame "No Child Left Behind"...that actually would work if school districts would admit their faults and let teachers fail the kids that need to be failed.

I couldn't chew gum, use a beeper (cell phones were WAAAAY out of our league at the time), play cards or other games in class, and I remember learning in school, not finding excuses and blaming others as to WHY I didn't learn.

It's a sad state of affairs ladies and gentlemen. Wait until a few years. it will get much, much worse.

[Kevin L. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Where the hell do these school administrators get off doing this type of shit. I find it absolutely wrong. I was apalled when I read this. They are all going to hell!

[Reality @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

^^^^
Case Closed.

[Vadim Lozko @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Sad to say, I agree with Reality's assesment (minus the profanity, or course). My mother is a school teacher. She gets kids who are not only disorderly, but use foul language at the teachers constantly, would start being physically violent at the teachers and toward other students and simply refuse to do anything.

The parents are often worse, blaming the teachers for all their faults. Often times, when a student becomes hits the another student, the parent of the violent child becomes verbally abusive with the teacher for the way the student got punished. It's sad to hear about these stories, but they're true.

And this is all in a PRESCHOOL at a typical, middle class neighborhood.

No wonder people like Reality quit after only two years. No wonder the school systems are experiencing a shortage of teachers with the problem worsening. It's becoming a job more stressful than it should be.

What Engadget wrote was biased and did not convey the truth of the whole matter. The student DID NOT get suspended for not being able to talk with his mom in Iraq. He was suspended for his language and refusal to cooperate as well not following the rules. Simple as that.

The student should have made agreements with his mother on what time he was available to talk and if his mother only had a certain time slot, then the student was responsible for making arrangements with the school.

[Nick H @ Dec 19th 2005 12:53AM]

Reality,

I would only say that rules are made by people. People are imperfect. Therefore rules are imperfect.