So, my daughter told me about a phenomena at her school that seems to be prevalent at high schools (and probably middle schools) everywhere.
Yep. Kids will find a way to text, regardless of the systems in place to prevent them from doing so. Technically speaking, our school regulations state:
"Cell phones and blackberries are not to be used during the school day. Cell phones will be confiscated if students use them during the day and will be returned by the end of the day or the following school day."
Well, yeah...let's see. We have approximately 560 girls at my daughter's school. I would estimate that 555 of them have a cell phone. Of those 555, I would also estimate that 554 of them have the phone turned on while at school but on vibrate or silent mode. That way, if Mom or Dad needs to send them a text, they can check for messages in between classes or over lunch ("I will be working late." "You left your Lit book @ home. Do you need it?" "Just got your text from this morning. Sorry. Can't bring the Lit book you left @ home. I'm @ work..."). This is not intended as a device to be used all day...like during class!
But apparently, here's what happens with some many of the girls:
The teacher is lecturing. The student reaches into her backpack and inconspicuously (one-handed) types a text to a friend in another class (or sitting across the room!). When I asked my daughter how a girl could possibly do this without looking at her phone, she shrugged me off and said, "It's not that hard, Mom...well, I don't do it, obviously." Obviously...
So, I asked her to send me a backpack text -- right then.
Here's what I got:
Hello mu mdnr ud 3 =1%)!
I can't remember what she said she tried to type!
Hmmm...either she:
- Was telling the truth about not being a backpack texter, OR
- Sent a complete gobbledegook text to placate me.
I'll take # 1, thank you very much!
Here's what I got on my Samsung Captivate when I tried to backpack text:
Nf czhvbgsf nx,mmm
In case you somehow couldn't decipher my message, that says:
My Daugter is Cool
Balanced Babe (Molly Wendland)
