Sorry – I clicked “send” before addressing the initial question. My 14 and 17 year old do not have a phone, my 19 y/o does, even though its against “school policy”. But he knows that if he gets nailed, I will not bail him out.
As young as 3rd grade, they were told, Mommy and Totty will stick by your side if your grades fall, or if you get swept up in some classroom antic to the extent possible. But if you knowingly break a rule, or talk with chutzpa, you’re on your own.
Entering school is like boarding an airplane. Some things pose a threat to the well being of others, and cannot be allowed. Have a pressing need? Discuss it with the authorites. Try and sneak it on, and the penalty cound be real stiff.
Ok, a cellphone is not the same as a bomb… or is it?
Bottom line, its the school’s rule, and you agree to abide by the rules when you enter the school. The search has to be done within the legal guidlines, but they are withing their rights to do so. But I do agree with Artchill; it should be enforced with the bigwigs kid as well. Sadly, it rarely is, but that’s another thread.