12/10 Letters: Schools shouldn’t let students use cell phones during instructional time

Cell phones in school

Regarding teacher Kay McSpadden “Mobile phones distract students from education,” (Dec. 9 Opinion):

McSpadden told us what we already know — that cell phones distract student learning. So why do so many teachers allow their free usage in class?

I applaud McSpadden’s “no phones out” policy and I wish all other teachers would do the same. Students do not need hand-held devices to learn any given subject. There have been, and always will be, other engaging means of teaching and learning.

Overuse of technology can lead to “digital dementia” and a whole host of other physical, psychological and social issues. Schools need to restrict cell phone usage during instructional time and parents need to join the effort at home.

Diana Denton, Cary

Teaching history

I was very happy to read that North Carolina will start teaching basic money management — until I read that the state decided to do it by taking time away from history. Then, I was horrified.

Americans are already really ignorant of our own history and even more uniformed about the rest of the world. Did you know that a recent poll revealed that 43 percent of Republicans believe that presidents should not have to worry about Congressional oversight? They do not understand the reasons for the checks and balances enshrined in our Constitution.

This belief can easily allow a country to slide into dictatorship. Cutting back on teaching history would be a disaster.

Elaine Holmes, Durham

Raleigh quarry

I recently participated in a hike along the border of William B. Umstead State Park and the Odd Fellows tract, the location of a proposed quarry.

The hike was very informative. Looking toward the proposed quarry, I observed a very mature hardwood forest in a hilly terrain with streams flowing into Crabtree Creek.

I wondered why this quarry is needed when there are nine existing quarries in the Raleigh area. If the publicly owned Odd Fellows tract becomes a 400-foot-deep quarry it will be destroying this beautiful natural landscaped area forever.

Chad Chandler, Raleigh

Architect, naturalist

Garner parade

Regarding Garner’s decision to cancel the Christmas parade because of potential confrontations (Nov. 27), I do not see any winners.

First, there’s the loss of the parade to those who would attend and enjoy the event. Second, the parade’s community participants lose their chance to showcase their organization or cause. And third, negative feelings are generated toward the controversial parties causing the concern.

I anticipate that such a dramatic decision to cancel a long-standing annual event might be used by various groups to disrupt future events. This will be a loss to the majority of people. “Bah Humbug”

Kent Fletcher, Durham

Burr and Ukraine

Russian Richard is parroting Putin propaganda. Sen. Richard Burr should know better than to repeat Putin’s false narrative blaming Ukraine for interfering in the 2016 election.

His own Senate Intelligence Committee has disproved this conspiracy theory.

Russia is our adversary, a nation which invaded a sovereign state, shot down a passenger airplane, used nerve gas to kill enemies on foreign soil, bombed children and hospitals in Syria and manipulated our 2016 election.

Why Burr would choose to be an asset to this corrupt, antidemocratic and violent nation is a question all North Carolinians should ask.

Dr. Mindy Oshrain, Durham

Bail bond system

Regarding “From bond to reform, one woman experiences North Carolina’s bail system,” (Dec. 1):

The N.C. Episcopal Diocese recognized over a year ago the racial disparity and judicial inequities experienced by the poor and marginalized when dealing with N.C. bail bonding system.

When the Reform Resolution was introduced in fall 2018, it was apparent that only a minority of the over 600 convention delegates had an operational knowledge of the system. After an informational session, the convention adopted the resolution unanimously and gave the presenters a standing ovation.

This conclusively demonstrated that in conjunction with UNC School of Government, ACLU, and other organizations working on the the issue, a statewide educational effort must be developed.

At the November Convention, the Diocese unanimously adopted a resolution that commits the Church to making a detailed educational program available to every Church in the diocese. In addition, members of the focus group are committed to working with other faith groups to achieve a better understanding of bail bonding by the vast majority of us who never have to deal with a bondsman., and from that foundation achieve statewide reforms.

David H. Bland, Raleigh