Cellphones in class, altered license plates, Tesla vandals

Ban cellphones in classrooms

Having been a teacher for 28 years, I strongly support the effort to pass a state law banning cellphone access in schools [“Budget will be late as talks persist,” News, March 30]. The law must prohibit the devices from “bell to bell” so students are free from the isolating effects of cellphones in hallways and during lunch periods, as well. A state law will be a powerful step in that direction.

Adults should imagine the difficulty of learning complex topics in a state of continuous partial attention. The isolation that comes with cellphone use outside the classroom has made students more anxious and less capable.

In my classroom, I have noticed that when students are assigned to groups with classmates they don’t know, there is an uptick in requests to visit the nurse and a rise in absences during the project’s duration. This is just one indicator of a serious deficit in forming relationships, which is essential for happiness.

When New York City banned cigarettes in restaurants and bars in 2002, I was skeptical that the plan would work. But all it took was the political will to do it and not go halfway. We look back now on that decision as ambitious and indispensable.

— Andrew Budris, Bellport

I don’t understand why this is an issue. Cellphones have no place in a classroom. They distract the teacher’s lesson. Also, many studies have linked too much screen time to depression. Banning phones in class will allow students to pay attention to the lesson at hand. It will also allow them to interact with fellow students face to face. This will help young people learn how to socialize.

I work in retail, often with young people. Many don’t have social skills. New young employees don’t look a customer in the eye and have a hard time communicating. They rarely last two weeks. Banning phones in school may help this problem and better prepare young people for their futures.

Generations survived without cellphones. Parents do not need to call a child during school hours unless they have a family emergency. In that case, they can call the school office.

This is a nonissue and a no-brainer.

— Valerie Romeo, Bayport

Banning cellphones in schoolrooms is a good idea. Having them available is a tempting distraction for students who are not stimulated by the subject material. With cellphones, students have instant information at their fingertips.

Growing up, my classmates and I went to the library to do research from encyclopedias or, if our parents could afford it, they bought an encyclopedia. We learned on our own to study, and we played outside after school, not on cellphones.

— Pat King, Merrick

I work in a high school, and we have cellphone caddies in the front of each classroom. Most students abide by the rule of not using phones during class.

The latest way to get around this, though, is their having two cellphones. One doesn’t work, and this is the one they put on the phone holder. The working one stays with them. How would this plan for the next school year be enforced if the students already know how to hide one?

— Charlotte Dwyer, Melville

I’m willing to bet that not a single person opposed to banning phones in schools has ever worked in a school, not even for a day. Walk a mile in a teacher’s shoes.

— Chris Marzuk, Greenlawn

We shouldn’t pay for defective plates

License plates that are peeling are defective due to shoddy manufacturing [“New ‘ghost plate’ rules set to start April 16,” News, March 19].

The registrant should not have to pay for a new set of plates when peeling and flaking is not their fault. This would be an additional charge on top of the original fee and requires a visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The replacement plates should be free.

— Katherine Weigand, Glendale

There’s an easy way to round up scofflaws cheating the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Just drive around parking lots at Long Island Rail Road stations and malls. Find cars with masked license plates and just tow them away. I think they’ll get the message.

— Robert Mirabella, Setauket

A vandal is a vandal: Don’t play favorites

President Donald Trump threatened people who vandalize Tesla vehicles with 20 years in jail [“D.C. actions spark controversy,” Letters, March 25]. Should people who vandalized the Capitol and injured Washington Metropolitan Police officers have been pardoned?

Anyone who vandalizes something should be punished, not just people who don’t support the president.

— Bonnie Pine, Woodmere