If a teacher sees you with a cell phone or mp3, or anything like that in class, can they take it an keep it?

Question

In my class the teachers are always saying stuff like, oh I love catching kids with cell phones in class, I have a whole collection of phones at home, or if I see a cell I will take it an keep it. Most of the time there just kidding, but if they wanted could they actually take the phone or mp3, or whatever it is, off you and actually keep it, and take it to there house for there own use and not give it back?

Most of the time they give it back at end of class, but I 've always wondered if they would be allowed to have it?

And gosh, I don't use my cell in class, but all these other kids do . . .they don't talk on them but they use text an all that crapola, and then the teacher sees it they take it away. I just wondered thats all.

Answer 1

can and should ( they can keep it by the laws of all states but school policy is the real guideline ) ( they can also punish you for possessing it up to and including suspension )

THE ANSWERS below are based on school rules or school board rules - all states allow PERMANENT CONFISCATION of prohibited items ( you asked if they COULD not if they did ) ( as an example if it was a gun or knife they would then apply the law - BUT ONLY IF IT"S POSSESSION ( NOT USE ) IS NOT ALLOWED ON SCHOOL PROPERTY )

Answer 2

Your teacher is probably joking about keeping it personally. As many people have said, check school policy.
We can take if it rings, is out, or is being used during the school day. (The same goes for iPods and any other personal electronics). I immediately put a sticky note on it with the student's name, and turn it in to an admin. I get valuables out of my hands and into the school safe ASAP. The admin. will generally call home and a parent has to come and get the cell phone or whatever. There's generally a pile of them at the end of the year that no parent has claimed...I have no idea where they go.
We also suggest that parents get a permanent marker or an engraver and identify the cell phone/mp3/iPod, as many look alike, and they are small and easily stolen.

Answer 3

It depends on the guidelines that pertain to the school district that you're in. I know for a fact that Dallas ISD schools let students bring cell phones, but they must remain off or on silent and cannot be used for calls or text messages during school hours, violations of these rules could lead for the teacher or administrator to take it up. If you still have a doubt, ask a teacher, administrator or a counselor for a Code of Conduct book. I work at a Middle School and I stress this to kids all the time..."don't just take the book and throw it away. This book has all of your rules and rights explained to you detail by detail." Take time to read through the book (your parents might want to look through it also)...you'll find alot of good information. If your teacher is not following guidelines, you can always speak to a principal...or even the area office....afterall, the rules are in writing! Good luck!

Answer 4

In my kids school you are allowed to have your cell IF set to vibrate or silent...during school my kids use text messages only and don't bring the phones out in class at all. If we find that they have...WE confiscate them.

They have a policy that if the kid is caught using it during classes, the teacher takes it for the period and gives it back with a warning after class, the first time. Second time she will take it and it goes to the Vice Principal for 2 months. If you do it again...it is confiscated for the remainder of the school year but is always given back before school lets out for summer.

Their school hasn't had any problems with cells at all since implementing this program 2 years ago.

Answer 5

If you take and keep something, that's theft. It doesn't matter if you're a teacher and the person you took it from is a student, it's still theft. At most, the phone or mp3 player would become school property, but that depends on the rules of the school and the area that the school is in.

Answer 6

No, they cannot keep it. But what sad and disrespectful times we live in to have a cell, mp3 or some other electronic device while the teacher is speaking. That is why young America is falling behind other developed nations in math and science. Then, those folks move to America and take the job you could have had if you were listening and learning. My best answer to you would be to refrain from using such items during class. Best wishes to you in your academic career.

Answer 7

Technichly, no they cannot keep it and use it for their own use and/or benefit. They can return it after class, return it at the end of the day, take it to the office and have your parents pick it up whenever, or keep it until the end of the year. That's the course of action, lowest to highest in respective order, in my school. Of course, I don't think they've ever kept anything until the end of the year, you'd have to have about six offenses of having your cell/mp3 on in class to get that.

Answer 8

Technically its up to school policy, but ive never heard of a teacher getting yelled at for taking it if its being used in class even if its not. Wouldnt be any different than taking a rubber band away thats being shot at people disrupting class.

Answer 9

It's disruptive, plus if they are on the cell or listening to mp3s they aren't paying attention to what they are supposed to be learning.

As long as they give it back there are no laws being broken. I had instructors tell us they would collect all cells, mp3s, calculators before a test.

Answer 10

It depends on what your school's policy is on cell phones, etc....I don't think they should be able to, but they don't let me make the rules so I would ask an administrator at your school and if they can take it be careful and only use it when appropriate. Good Luck!

Answer 11

No, of corse not. That would be against the law. Every school has a different policy but usualy you can go to the main office and get it back at the end of the day.