September 26, 2008 - Vol. 37 Issue 2
Editorial: Electronics should be acceptable
if used outside of classroom
By Randi Barnett, sr.
for the editorial board
The topic of electronics in school is a constant battle between
students and the administration.
Cell phones and iPods are banned at all times during school from 8:00 a.m.
to 3:15 p.m., even during passing periods and lunch.
In classes, using electronics and cell phones can be a big distraction, and
it is rude to the teacher. They should be off during all classes.
However, during passing periods and the lunch hour, they do not distract
anyone, and we believe they should be allowed to be turned on.
Lunch is down time for students; it is a chance to relax and unwind from
morning classes. Talking to friends in other schools may help students relieve
stress and figure out problems they are having.
Cartoon by Valerie Weilert
Click on cartoon for larger view.
Also, students may have forgotten something they need for that
day in school, but they are not allowed to use the phone in the office for
such things.
If cell phones were allowed during passing periods, students would have a
chance to call their parent or someone else who could go get whatever they
forgot and bring it to them. This could help students get their homework
in on time and keep them out of trouble.
Listening to music on an iPod can be a good way to put someone in a better
mood or relieve stress as well.
Thinking about things other than homework and tests during breaks and lunch
helps clear the mind. This way students can focus more during their next
class.
Electronics are not a distraction during passing periods or lunch, so the
student body should be allowed to use their cell phones and electronics during
this time.
Pro: Electronics serve as stress relievers for many students
By Scott Sollars, sr.
Reporter
At this time, electronics such as cell phones and iPods are
not allowed in school. They are considered to be a classroom distraction,
but between classes and during lunch break, I think they should be allowed
.
Outside of and after lessons, cell phones and iPods should be allowed because
they are something that can be used to occupy students’ free time.
While walking to their next class, students can catch up on events by texting
each other, or they could listen to their favorite song.
Listening
to music is a good way to help them unwind and relieve stress built up throughout
the school day. If used at the proper times, not
during class,
the use of electronics should not distract any fellow classmates.
Lunch is a social period, and it is a break from the stressful environment
of the classroom. Students should be able to use their cell or iPod during
this time because it is not distracting or disrespectful to anyone.
I agree that cell phones and iPods in the classroom can be disruptive and
distracting to others, so they should not be allowed during those times,
but if allowed during passing periods and lunch, they would not bother
others and therefore should be allowed during those times.
Con: Devices during
school create distractions, disrupt classes
By Callie Umholtz, sr.
Sports Editor
With the newest gadgets coming out, everyone feels the need
to show off their new toy during school.
However, electronic devices such as cell phones and iPods are distracting
in a learning environment as more students begin using these items. Due
to their increased use, these items have been banned during school hours,
and I believe with good cause.
Some students
feel they should be allowed to text or listen to iPods during passing periods
and lunch. This could cause the student to be late to class.
They may even forget to turn the phone or iPod off before class, thus causing
a possible disruption. This can be distracting to other students. Teachers
would also be upset, not only because of the disruption in their class,
but also for the student not paying attention to the lesson.
Liability is another reason these devices should not be allowed in school.
Someone’s phone or iPod could be stolen, and they might try to hold
the school responsible for getting it back. This is not the school’s
responsibility; students should be held responsible for their own belongings.
It is clear that students should not be allowed to have electronic devices
during school. There is no reason that they can not go seven hours without
talking or texting on their cell phone or listening to music on their iPod.
Save it for after school and keep cell phones out of the hallways and lunchroom.
Local theater group entertains audiences
By Bailey Myers
Editor-in-chief
Disney’s High School Musical was performed by the Iola
Community Theatre, at the Bowlus in Iola. in a slightly different but still
funny and upbeat way.
Troy Bolton (played by Skylar Strickler) and Gabriella Montez (played by
Marah Melvin) want to perform in the school musical, but due to cliques and
the status quo, their musical talents are not accepted by all of their peers.
Bolton is the star of the basketball team while Montez is a new student and
already a valuable member of the science decathlon team.
Strickler and Melvin sang and harmonized very well together throughout the
entire show.
Sharpay and Ryan Evans (played by Eileen Chase and Alex Piazza) are the stars
of the drama club and do not want Troy and Gabriella to get the starring
roles in the musical. Sharpay is a very stuck-up girl, while her brother
Ryan is much nicer.
Chase and Piazza did a great job with their sibling feuds and made them very
funny and believable.
At open try-outs for the school play, members of the cast entertained the
audience with some very humorous intentional bad singing.
Cody Cokely played a very smooth broadcast announcer who read all of the
boring announcements extremely fast, but always slowed down in time to say
in a very cool tone his usual “this is Jack Scott, signing off.”
One flaw of the play was energy. Some of the actors were more into it than
others and over-danced, while others simply went through the movements without
even smiling.
Many acrobatics and gymnastics were thrown in throughout the play. They added
a lot of action and excitement to the show.
All of the actors sang very well, never forgot the words, and did not fumble
over any of their lines. Some did struggle with the combination of dancing
and singing at the same time, but they pulled it off and were able to put
on a good show.
Click on image for larger view.
Cub Voices
Should students be
allowed to use phones during passing periods?
 |
 |
| Deron Owens, sr."Yes, we should be allowed because most people do it anyway.” | Brandi Malloy, so. "Yes, of course. I love my phone.” |
 |
 |
| Kassidy Young, jr.“Yes, as long as we’re not doing it in during class.” | Travis Collins, fr."Yes, I think students should be allowed that freedom.” |
 |
|
Tim Endicott, teacher"No, students will begin to think it’s okay to use them during class.” |
|
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