March 8, 2007 Vol. 35 Issue 10


Editorial: Reinforcing phone rules
By Haley Huffman, jr.
For the Editorial Board

The recent rule enforcement of cell phones in school has upset many students. The Editorial Board agrees that cell phones should not be allowed in school.

Many people feel they have to carry their cell phones with them at all times. However, school is not the time or the place to use a cell phone.

Ringing cell phones can distrupt classes and distract students who should be paying attention to their lessons, assignments, or lectures.


Cartoon by Bethany Wolverton

Texting is also a distracting way to use a cell phone, especially during school. It can take attention away from the teacher when the class should be paying attention.

Students who text during a lecture may not understand what is going on in class because they were paying more attention to their phone than the teacher. This can cause lower grades and/or falling behind in class.
Cheating is another issue when it comes to texting in school. Students could text answers to each other like if they were passing notes, which is not allowed in school either.

Another possible issue is that cell phones have cameras on them, and cameras can be misused to take unwanted or inapporpriate pictures.

Texting not only interferes with the student's attention, but it can cause othet students around to be distracted as well. They may wonder what the text is about and try to become part of the conversation.

Due to the possible problems with student learning thet cell phones can cause, school officials are now confiscating cell phones if they see students messing with them during school hours.

We believe that this is a positive step that will help distractions caused by cell phone use in school.

Texting becomes exceptional (Pro)
By Michaela Myer, sr.
 Sports Editor

In today’s society, many people rely heavily on their cell phones. A lot of people text important messages to someone when they are in an out of service area. However, many teens do not realize that texting may change the way they write in everyday life.

When teens text, they usually abbreviate words and phrases. Some examples of abbreviated words are 4ever, b4, b/c, w/o, u, and r. Some abbreviated phrases are btw meaning “by the way,” wbu meaning “what about you,” ttyl meaning “talk to you later,” omg meaning “oh my gosh,” and lol meaning “laugh out loud.” This shortens their messages, which takes less time to write the message.

Many teens may not realize that the more they text, the more common this language becomes to them. This causes them to use such abbreviations in other places. Because of this, a conflict has risen on whether these abbreviations should be accepted on school assignments or not.

I feel that in some cases these abbreviations are okay. If a student has to quickly take notes from a lecture, it is easier to abbreviate. Not only would it save time and paper, the student would write more things down. Students then have more to study when a test came, and the student would do better.

However, I do not feel that a student should use abbreviations on assignments. If a student did use these abbreviations, the teacher could become confused when trying understand the point. This would cause the student to receive a lower grade, even if the answer was correct.

In my opinion, the abbreviations could be helpful if used correctly on the proper papers but could also be harmful if used improperly.

Decrease short hand writing (Con)
By Katie Hauser, sr.
Editor-in-Chief

Teens are sending an increasing amount of text messages. Sending text messages includes abbreviations and short hand notations.These are starting to seep into teens’ everyday writing.

Short hand may make taking notes easier, but it does not belong anywhere else in writing. One reason it is okay for notes is that notes are meant only for the person writing them, so they can understand what they write no matter what short hand they use. Some may argue that it is okay in rough drafts, but that is only if students remember to change the short hand to formal English.

Another problem is that not all teachers are familiar with the acronyms. Not many students like losing points on assignments simply because the teacher did not understand the writing.

Right now, adults are in charge of the world and choose what is acceptable. When today’s teenagers are leaders, they can make text acceptable. Still, this would probably be bad because people use different abbreviations. Formal English is more universal and therefore better suited to assignments.

Abbreviations do have their place in the world, but not on school papers or anything that needs to be understood by people of different backgrounds. Students need to realize this and make decisions accordingly.

The world has enough language barriers without adding another. Text language should be limited to text and notes. Teens should respect formal English because it will most likely not go out of style and it is what many employers and school instructors expect.

Review: Wait for DVD to see new comedy Norbit
By Laura Watts, so.
Reporter

Norbit is a comedy film. The main point of the movie is to entertain and make viewers laugh.

I thought the movie would be more entertaining than what it was because Eddie Murphy played most of the characters. Although there were some funny parts, it was not as good as I thought it would be.

The focus of this movie is on a guy named Norbit, played by Eddie Murphy. Norbit is a mild mannered guy who is engaged to a monstrous woman, named Rasputia Lathermore, also played by Murphy. Norbit meets Kate Thompson, played by Thandie Newton, and schemes to find a way to be with her.

As an infant, Norbit was adopted by a Chinese family that found him on the streets. He was five years old when he fell in love with Thompson. Sadly, she moved away and left him heartbroken. As he grew older, he met the biggest bully in the school, Lathermore.

Norbit and Lathermore immediately began dating because she wanted a boyfriend, and Norbit was too afraid to speak his opinion. After high school, they got married and bought a house. In the end of the movie, Norbit divorces his mean wife and marries Thompson, and they were both happy.

Scenes in this movie show how Norbit is a calm, relaxed guy who lets his wife control him. Norbit then sneaks around to meet his childhood love, Thompson.

I recommend to people who love comedy films to watch Norbit. If movie watchers want to see the movie but have heard it was not the best, they can wait a while to rent it on DVD. This is probably a better option for this movie so that students do not waste money to go to the theater and see a movie they might dislike.

Cub Voices

Do you think teens should use short hand on assignments?
T.J. Shelton, sr., “Yes, I think it is perfectly fine because it makes things a lot easier on students.”
Steven Dooley, jr., “Yes, I think it is okay because it is an easier way.”
   
Christiana Burns, so., “No, it is just another way for students to be lazy. Teenagers need to know how to write for college.”
Danner Naff, fr., “It does not really matter to me, but if the teachers allow it, then why not go for it.”
   

Hailey Schoendaller, teacher, “I think it is only okay if the teacher allows it. Personally, as an English teacher, I require students to write their assignments in complete sentences.”

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