As a parent of 3 teenagers, I've gone through all of these issues.

Some of you who don't have childen need to attend some parent teacher meetings to hear the reasons why dress codes are required. The main concern with clothing issues here in L.A. schools is directly related to gang signage. There is certain apparel that is affiliated with particular gangs that the school administrators do not want present on the campuses. The last thing I need is for my sons or daughter to get shot because they were wearing a professional team jersey affiliated with a gang.

Cellphones belong in the hands of children who are old enough to be responsible users. I believe they have no place with childen of elementary and middle school age. The school administrators will gladly allow the children to make emergency phone calls as well as get messages to the children.

In high school, it's different. The high school kids are going to carry their phones and it is allowed but with definite rules. Teachers do not want students placing calls or text messaging in class; they don't want them to put their crib notes in their phones, using the calculators, or googling test answers. But many teachers have found away around this - they simply collect cellphones at the beginning of class and return them after class. Any student using a cellphone during class has their phone confiscated; a parent must come pick up the phone from the administration office. Cellphones are needed; if my kids are not following their normal routine, I need them to call me or my wife if they staying for extra basketball practice, going to a friends house, going shopping etc. The payphones in the campus are frequently vandalized and are not working, so the cellphone is a must.