tosie (anonymous) says...

Why do kids in Middle School have cell phones anyways? They are not old enough to drive or go anywhere without parental supervision, so they shouldn't need a cell phone! AND during school!!!! School is for learning - not texting! ugh....kids having cell phones in school and at that young of an age just seems stupid.

November 24, 2009 at 1:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

I thought the Emporia school system had a zero tolerance for cell phones. Having phones in school is the worst distraction of all. If they have them, they'll use them.

What's up with that, Nancy Horst?

November 24, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

madpoet (anonymous) says...

I'm glad they get practical experience in training the K9 units. I agree that kids don't need cell phones in school. That's a distraction and a way for them to cheat on tests. If they have to have them for their parents to contact them after school, they can sit in the lockers all day.

November 24, 2009 at 1:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

supernanny (anonymous) says...

Seriously people we have to have a routine drug check in our middle school, and your more worried about if middle school students should have a cell phone or not?

My daughter has a cell phone, and I agree with FarmRaised, you can keep a close tab and has GPS.

Maybe if all parents kept better tabs on their kids we wouldnt need routine drug checks in middle schools.

November 24, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

marko (anonymous) says...

Maybe, if someone paid more attention when they were in school the word "your" wouldn't be used when it should be "you're". But, then again maybe someone was distracted during that lesson.

November 24, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

supernanny (anonymous) says...

Oh my silly me!

Thanks marko!

November 24, 2009 at 3:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

madpoet (anonymous) says...

Drugs are available to kids. That's been true for decades. It's sad we have to run drug checks on the schools but maybe it will deter someone from bringing drugs to school. Parents have to talk to their kids about drugs early and often. I watched classmates fry their brains on drugs. And one of them did it during middle school back in the 1980s. I'd rather let them walk the dog past the lockers once in a while than have my kid have to watch classmates ruin their lives on drugs.

November 24, 2009 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Beo_Saoirse (anonymous) says...

My 7th-grader has a cell phone. She keeps it in her locker during school. However, she can use it once school is out to notify me of a change of plans for after school, such as when the volleyball team began practicing at LNIS, or any emergencies that may occur.

Her phone also has GPS. I can find her (assuming she is carrying her phone) anytime I need.

Bottomline: Her cell phone is for her safety and my peace of mind. And anyone who thinks children are safe at school is just plain nuts.

By the way, I understand the dog left a little "present" in one of the hallways. I wonder who cleaned that up?
And a school lockdown and search by a drug dog is hardly routine, but certainly not "Breaking News," as the Gazette chose to label it on its Website.

November 24, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MelissaGarrison (Melissa Garrison) says...

We had routine lockdowns at our grade school so they could bring the drug dog in, and that was over 10 years ago. The article states that it was a "rehearsal" so the dog could hone his skills. It does not say that they suspected a student had drugs. But, it's cute that some of you guys think there aren't middle schoolers out there that do drugs. Also - dogs poop, big deal.

November 24, 2009 at 4:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bjnemp (anonymous) says...

Oh, how very fortunate we are to live in a small midwestern town where teens carrying cell phones and a dog pooping in a school hallway generates a furor and is considered big news. Folks in Detroit, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. have no idea how good life can still be in the USA. Emporians have much to give thanks for this Thursday.

November 24, 2009 at 11:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )