I've searched everywhere for information on how to help students who read fluently, but don't understand much of what they read. I teach third grade. I would appreciate any information that could help at this level. The majority of calls would be from other kids, and school does not need to be interrupted by 20 students in a classroom getting unnecessary calls. It is also likely that a number of these calls would be drug-related.
Parents can call the school, or work out an emergency plan with the student ahead of time.
I teach high school art in Louisville, with 20 years experience, and believe me, what Ms. Washburn proposes on this matter would be so counterproductive that little learning would be accomplished. I don't want cell phones or pagers going on during my classes for any reason other than emergencies. That's what the intercom and office phones are for. It's bad enough that many students are only at school to socialize, with some hope of acquiring knowledge through osmosis.