A two-year battle between school officials of Grand Blanc, Michigan and cell phones has ended with the triumph of teens and technology. "We can't keep beating our head against this policy," said Jane Brewer, school board president.

A one-semester trial policy approved by the Grand Blanc Board of Education will allow students at Grand Blanc High School to use their cell phones, iPods, pagers, and other digital devices before or after school, between classes or during lunch.

Personal gadgets, however, will not be permitted in the classroom. Hoping for a mile from this inch, Board Trustee Martin Ray said high school administrators should eventually "embrace technology" in their classrooms and allow activities such as students taking cell phone pictures of a class project or notes on a chalkboard.

Marsha Kramer, an assistant principal at the high school, lobbied for change and sees it as an opportunity to teach students responsibility with their electronic devices. Prior to the trial, students could bring cell phones and other digital devices to school, but they could not use them during school hours.

A policy change seemed in order after hundreds of violations, many by students with not other disciplinary problems. Students would keep their hands in their pocket and text their parents-and parents want contact with their children.

Source: The Flint Journal, Cellphone headed back to school in Gran Blanc as Board of Education approves use outside of classes

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