Forum
June
Smartphones provide distraction, overly expensive
E mily M c D onald
It's not unusual
nowadays to see people
of all ages carrying a cell
phone. Not only does most
of the population carry one,
but a vast majority of those
phones are Smartphones.
It is understandable
that adults may carry
an Android, Blackberry
or iPhone. But at school
everyday, more and
more kids possess these
high-tech items. Adults
have good reasons to
have Smartphones. They
can use them as tools;
things like email and the
internet are essential for
work communication and
projects. I haven't seen
many kids use Smartphones
for email or checking
grades. But I can't think
of many reasons why
kids would need to carry a
Smartphone.
I do not have a
Smartphone, and I manage
with my plain LG phone
just fine. It can call and
text, and has some cool
ringtones. That's just
about good for me. Along
with my iPod Touch, I
do not see any reason
to need a Smartphone. I
Photo by Alex Houston
Games, social networking, internet access and other apps featured on Smartphones are distractions for students.
The Smartphone epidemic is leaving parents with empty pockets and students with worsened grades.
think Smartphones are
distractions at school. Yes,
I do agree it's fun to play
games on Smartphones, but
there is a time and place
for that. It is too common
to be sitting in a lecture to
see students playing on
their Smartphones under
their desks. Sure, I've
texted in class plenty of
times, but it only takes a
minute. I see kids messing
around on Facebook and
playing games for extensive
periods of time in class on
a daily basis. I know if I
had such a distraction in
class, my grades would
surely drop. Maybe if they
paid attention, they'd have
better grades. Phones-let
alone Smartphones-are not
appropriate in class.
The saddest thing about
Smartphones are the cost.
Not only do they cost a
load of money to just have
the phone itself (ranging
in price anywhere from
approximately $100-$800),
but monthly fees can be
Budget proposal avoids firing teachers
continued from page 1
One improvement that
students will see is the
retention of the Chinese
program at WLHS, which has
been saved by funding from
outside sources including
donations and grants. Other
than Chinese, classes and
program offerings won't be
much different, aside from
the changes in social studies
offerings that w eren't a
instructional coordinators and
response to the budget, but
rather due to a change in
graduation requirements.
"Our goal was not to take
away any big programs,"
Bailey said. "We simply tried to
do things more economically."
According to Woehl, the
biggest changes for next
year as a result of the budget
cuts district wide will be
cutting teachers and reducing
librarians.
"The biggest thing is the
cumulative effect over the last
three years. We've lost a lot,"
Woehl said. On the bright side,
"I think things will get
better from here, after
this two year budget
plan. Hopefully we can
eventually start bringing
back things that have been
cut."
anywhere from $50-$150.
I'm pretty sure not a whole
Bathroom graffiti; a common issue
The most we can do is
encourage people to not
defile public property.
When a five year old
writes all over the walls,
it's understandable and
usually manageable. When
a teenager does it, it's just
lame and immature.
"We try to erase it as
soon as we see it," Ray
reputation. Writing on the
walls is inappropriate in
almost any setting, even a
high school.
Next time you bring
a pen or pencil into the
bathroom, and look up
to the walls with desire,
stop. But don't just stop.
Stop and think. Think
about what impact your
comments and drawings
have on other people. Think
said. The custodial staff
has the ability to rem ove
about how your comments
m ight be perceived by
the graffiti. But that's
no excuse to vandalize
school property. It makes
the school look bad,
both physically, and in
visitors to West Linn. But
most importantly, put that
pen away out of respect for
yourself, because you're
better than that.
continued from page 5
STUDENTS
How do you think Smartphones
influence the lives of students?
"I think that it helps
because you can look
things up that you
don't know."
—Michael Aden,
freshman
"I think that they
help with studying
but also promote
cheating."
—Nick Miller,
sophomore
lot of kids have that kind
of money to pay for their
phones, so, their parents are
paying it.
My parents have refused
to pay for a Smartphone, for
which I can't blame them.
I know I wouldn't want to
pay for it, so why should
they? I am grateful that they
pay for the phone plan that I
have now.
My point is, kids don't
need Smartphones. They are
a heck of a lot of fun, but in
the end, it's not worth the
money, and it's not essential
to have one. So if you have a
regular phone, don't worry
about rushing into buying
the latest Droid or iPhone 4.
It might save your m oney-
and your parents' money-in
the long run.
"I literally sleep with
my phone. I feel in­
complete without it."
—Brooklyn
Cochran,
junior
speak out
"1 don't know if it
influences me but it
definitely distracts
me.
—Jackie Steeh,
senior
if