Scappoose HS bans cell phones & Ipods

[Nate Dogg]

The HS bans cell phones & Ipods after a holocaust survivor tries to make a speech and he sees students texting during his visit in assembly at the school. I am surprised that the school didn't put up signs before the assembly asking students to turn off their phones.
My brother is a middle school teacher in Salinas, CA and his school forces students to keep their cell phones hidden in their bags during class. If these students violate this, the student can't pick up the phone until the end of the day. Why aren't all schools doing the cell phone ban while you're in class?

SCAPPOOSE, Ore. -- Another Oregon School is pulling the plug on cell phones and iPods.

Scappoose High School is banning students from using them, after an embarrassing school assembly in January. Students rudely interrupted Alter Wiener, a holocaust survivor, who shared his story with the 700 students.

"This is the first time I had to deflect from the presentation and say, please show me some respect, " said Wiener.

He made it clear to the school that he felt insulted when students were texting and chatting with friends during his presentation.

"He (Wiener) told us point blank, " said Eric Clendenin, principal at Scappoose High School, "I've been to 500 schools and this is the worst experience I've had.

Student body president Cheyenne Bennett was embarrassed for her school.

"I appreciate him coming out and I think he's amazing, " said the Scappoose High Senior, "I'm sorry he had to go through that."

Wiener, 84, says students missed out on his story of hope, survival, and perseverance. Nazis murdered his entire family. His last memory of them is heartbreaking.

"My little brother at the age of 8 was clinging to my mother's apron crying, " said Wiener, "I didn't have a chance to say goodbye."

Nazis dragged Wiener from his home in 1942, forced him to spend years in 5 different labor and concentration camps. They beat him and starved him to a mere 80 lbs.

He endured years of horrible abuse, until the Russians saved him when World War II ended.

He says Scappoose students missed out on his message that, faced with adversity, one should never give up on hope.

"It's an insult to me, " said Wiener.

As a result of the incident, students and teachers prompted the principal to ban cell phones and Ipods.

Principal Clendenin hopes Wiener would give him a second chance.

"I would love to see him back here again so he can re-connect with these students, " said Clendenin.

The holocaust survivor keeps an open heart.

"I have no problem to forgive, " said Wiener.

Source: http://www.kgw.com/news/Oregonschoo...ngincidentwithholocaustsurvivor-89566872.html

 

[Nate Dogg]

If I was the Principal I would force all students watch a documentary on holocaust survivors or at least watch "Schindlers List" and then write a class letter to Wiener in apology.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Agreed.

In addition, I think all schools should ban those things.

 

[jlprk]

The article doesn't even say what specifically happened. How did they "rudely interrupt" him?

If 1 out of 500 of his audiences were bored stiff by him, well, it's to be expected, even if the presentation is entertaining, which it may not have been. Maybe he had a bad day and was a big bore, or maybe they are spoiled. Whatever the reason, they have no obligation to feign interest, only to not be raucous about it. He comes across as vain and arrogant, by whining how insulted he is because he bored 1 of 500 audiences. A speaker is a public figure and should have broader shoulders than that. At age 84, he will bore many teenagers. He should know that.

On the other hand, phones should have already been banned at the school, so the result of banning them now is overdue.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

The article doesn't even say what specifically happened. How did they "rudely interrupt" him?

If 1 out of 500 of his audiences were bored stiff by him, well, it's to be expected, even if the presentation is entertaining, which it may not have been. Maybe he had a bad day and was a big bore, or maybe they are spoiled. Whatever the reason, they have no obligation to feign interest, only to not be raucous about it. He comes across as vain and arrogant, by whining how insulted he is because he bored 1 of 500 audiences. A speaker is a public figure and should have broader shoulders than that. At age 84, he will bore many teenagers. He should know that.

On the other hand, phones should have already been banned at the school, so the result of banning them now is overdue.

The article stated that many of the little deliquents were talking and texting.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

My kids elementry school doesnt allow cell phones, which I think is a good idea. Kids are there to learn, not text their friends etc.

 

[Paxil]

BeerBoy... it isn't about using them *at* school... I can see no reason for that... but when walking to/from school... I can understand. We used to send our youngest to shool with one of those radio walk-talky things... he would check in at home when he got there and then turn it off. The school said no. =(