I have had a cell phone since the 9th grade (Freshman in College now).
1.) Keep it on Vibrate. It isn't a hard concept people. When you walk into the school turn it on Vibrate.
2.) Even though I do it (I know it is wrong), don't text during class. If class hasn't started yet, and you and someone somewhere else want to have a text conversation, by all means go ahead-but it is painfully obvious when someone is texting and trying not to be seen.
3.) In High School I would, if I were caught using the cell phone in an inappropriate time, give it up and come back and pick it up at the end of the day. There is no way they would be allowed to hold it over night. It is the student's (or the Parents property). If it is confiscated during school, so be it, but they have not right to hold it after school is over.
4.) In College, no way I would give up my cell phone. I (Well my parents as long as I keep my grades up) pay for college, if I wanted to (I don't) just sit there and mess around on the cell phone all period, as long as I am not making a disturbance than so be it. Just wasting money. In college they have no right to take your cell phone at all (Taking it during a test not withstanding).
5.) Don't use it or have it out during a test or a quiz. That is common sense. If you are going to text during class, whatever, but during a test you are just asking for problems!!
6.) There is no Cell Phone jammers in schools. The reason there is so little signal is because of the massive amounts of concrete overhead as well as the steel interfering with the signal. Nothing more. (Same reason I don't get cell service in my dorm).
7.) Even though, for some reason one of my little sisters got a phone in the 6th grade, I disagree with my parents here. There is no reason that I needed it in the 6th or 7th grade. 8th, yea I guess I could see it (Staying after for sports, or clubs and need to coordinate rides).
Seriously, people make a huge deal out of something that is so small. In college, they are paying, unless it is disturbing the class or being used during a test then let it go. In High School by all means take it for a day if it is being used during class time but give it back at the end.
-Kevin