They can be equipped with cameras, calculators, calenders, digital music players, memory cards and even ringtones specifically designed to be audible only to young ears.

They are cell phones, and even though they have yet to produce any major problem for those running the schools in the Lakes Region, their presence and continued technological advancement has educators constantly adapting policies and procedures to govern a device they say has become a virtual extension of the hand for upwards of 50-75 percent of today's youths.

While mobile phones have been around for a while, school administrators say the emergence of enhanced and cheaper technology means a younger group of Americans growing up not understanding a life without the availability of immediate communication and the faint buzz of "texting".

School boards and administrators are currently grappling with how to manage a device that they equate to a cultural change.

As to how many students actually have their own cell phones, it depends on whom you ask.

Laconia Memorial Middle School Principal Jim McCollum said it's hard to say, but noted, "I would guess it's easily over 50 percent."

Belmont Middle School Assistant Principal Tim Saunders agreed and said the percentages only increase as you go from fifth grade to eighth grade.

New Laconia High School Principal Steve Beals said his past experience with other districts has him believing that approximately 75 percent of high school-age students have the devices.

Inter-Lakes Principal Patti Kennelly believes upward of 90 percent of her high school students have cell phones, "if not more."

And it's not just older students who are making calls and "texting" — a feature that allows individuals to use the keypad on the cell phones to send instant typed messages to anyone with a cell phone.

Woodland Heights Elementary Principal Lisa Green Barber said a growing number of elementary-age students have cell phones, which she said usually are given to them by parents so they can communicate at the touch of a button.

Green Barber said the phones are not a big problem in her school but the biggest concern is that the younger children don't understand how much they are worth.

She cited one example where a student brought in an old, non-working cell phone and "traded" it with another student for one that was functional. Green Barber said the incident was minor, but required her to work with the student to ensure the other got the working device back.

The Woodland Heights administrator said she doesn't exactly encourage students to bring them in, as each classroom is equipped with a phone that students can use at any time with teacher permission.

However, she — like many educators — admitted that the cell phone is a useful tool for parents looking to connect with students once the school day is over.

Kennelly said her thought on the devices is that they actually are a very positive tool if used properly and shut off during instructional time.

"Want them to be able to use them after the school day. Since they have been around it has certainly decreased the traffic in the office from kids wanting to use the phones," said Kennelly.

While educators understand the importance of parent-student communication, they also draw the line when it comes to phones ringing while the teacher is giving a lesson.

Nearly every administrator contacted by The Citizen on the issue said that school has a "cell phone-off and way" policy that is in effect during the actual school day.

McCollum said he has had few problems at Memorial Middle School, as "there is a consequence for having them on in the building."

MMS students get a phone taken away until the end of the day for a first offense and a second infraction prompts a call to a parent about the issue. He said three strikes usually involves a meeting with parents that ensures the phone isn't back in the building.

Beals said Laconia High School actually updated its cell phone policy this year so that students may use them, but only in the cafeteria or in an outside courtyard during lunch. Students at LHS previously were allowed to use them only in the front lobby of the building, which no longer will be allowed.

Aside from the obvious disruption that comes with phones ringing in class, educators say cell phones can create other annoyances and problems relating to their various features.

More than one administrator referred to national stories about students using cell phone cameras to take inappropriate pictures and both Saunders and McCollum assured that "confidentiality" issues are apparent.

McCollum mentioned one story he heard in which students were intentionally getting a teacher upset and taking cell phone camera videos of their reaction for placement on the Internet.

"Thank God we haven't had that problem," said McCollum.

Kennelly said Inter-Lakes did have one instance involving a student taking a cell phone camera image and putting it on the popular video-sharing website www.youtube.com.

Shaker Regional School District Superintendent Mike Cozort said the issue of cell phones is constantly being addressed and noted that polices are far-reaching and not just related to things like kids text-messaging to cheat or the disturbing ringing during class.

He said administrators have been briefed on the problems that could arise during a lockdown situation at a school if a potential intruder could be alerted to students' locations by a suddenly ringing phone.

"There is a lot of stuff out there ... we haven't had any major issues. The kids are respectful and they know if they abuse the privilege they will lose the privilege. If it escalated, we would probably take different steps," said Cozort.

And don't think that students aren't savvy in terms of how to best avoid getting in trouble or having the phones taken away.

Kennelly referenced a new phenomenon that has seen someone developing a ringtone for cell phones that is specifically designed to allow it to ring without an adult hearing it.

While there have been no instances reported in the Lakes Region, news has been circulating about a recent trend nationally that has students downloading a ring tone off the Internet that is too high-pitched to be heard by most adults and it is designed so that youths can receive text message alerts without a teacher knowing.

Studies have shown that, as people age, they develop a loss of the ability to hear higher-frequency sounds. The ring tone in question is said to be a spin-off of technology that originally was meant to deter teenagers. A Welsh security company marketed the invention whose high-frequency buzz was designed to help business owners get rid of young people loitering in front of their stores.

Educators aren't surprised that more and more students have cell phones during a day and age where, as McCollum put it, "immediate contact has become the norm."

Kennelly said students aren't always trying to get away with something when they pull them out, as they are equipped with calenders, calculators and more.

"What I have noticed is that cell phones have replaced wristwatches," said Kennelly.

The Inter-Lakes administrator equated the use of the devices by youths to people who grow up using two languages and said today's youths are used to speaking both English and technology.

"They have a fundamentally different understanding than the teachers do," said Kennelly.

Beals said his students usually know how to use the phones far better than he.

He expressed his belief that educators need to be careful about not only setting policy, but also setting a good example and he said the reality is that he must carry a cell phone with him while he is in the building.

Beals said he tries to avoid using it in a way that disrupts activities or could leave a student with a wrong impression.

While some might characterize the fight against cell phone abuse as a losing battle, most administrators say they can only try to keep up with the trends and deal with students politely and with respect.

Kennelly said the day-to-day grind of reminding students about cell phone policy and looking out for infractions can be difficult.

"It's one of the things that wears teachers down ... there are particular instances with some kids where it is constant battle," said Kennelly, adding that she wishes the benefits of technology always outweighed their potential for distractions.