Banning cellphones a good first step but won't make classrooms safer: Letters

, After reading this column, I am concerned that while unauthorized cellphone use in classrooms is disruptive, the school system needs to pay more attention to the unique challenges associated with student misbehaviour. Why? During and after the pandemic, the surge in the number of students with mental health issues has led to a growing number of students becoming apathetic, unruly, or violent towards their peers or educators.

The writer cites a report from the OECD indicating that reading, science, and particularly math scores have steadily declined in this country over the last two decades due to the overuse of technological devices. However, critics argue that overcrowded classrooms, cutbacks to resources, and a revolving door of teachers and educational assistants are destabilizing classrooms and eroding student learning.

Classroom distractions occur in most schools but it is the frequency and type of those interruptions that can prevent students from fully engaging with their teacher’s instructions. According to a global student survey released in 2020, one in five 15 year old Canadian students reported that learning was lost to noise, distractions, and disorder.

Surely, this disturbing data is tied to the call from Ontario principals warning of “enormous” staff shortages. Banning the unauthorized use of cellphones and other devices in classrooms is a step in the right direction but not enough to make classroom environments safer and more conducive for learning.

, With a provincial government that questions whether a nurse or a teacher deserves a one per cent pay raise, and with thousands of Ontarians going to food banks, it is an abomination that one hockey player can make $92 million (U.S.) (over eight years) while countless homeless are on sleeping on the streets of Toronto.

Something is very wrong about the income disparity between sports “heroes” and the rest of society. It is not only pet cemeteries that are moved to a new location. The village of Yorkville, at the north west corner of Yonge and Bloor Streets, was home to nearly 7,000 human graves on a six acre site extending to Bay Street and Cumberland Avenue.

It was known by the name Pioneer Burial Ground, with burials between 1826 and 1855. With the planned expansion of Yorkville, the cemetery was found to be an obstacle to development, so the families were invited to move the graves to another location. More than one thousand were reinterred at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

The remainder are probably lying under Yorkville properties. As an ordained minister and animal lover, I was intrigued by this article. I am asked, occasionally, if animals have souls. As one who has interred several of my own pets, I have responded as follows: The official answer is pets do not have souls.

There is no indication in Scripture of such. Unofficially my answer is if there are no dogs or horses in heaven, I don't want to go there. Heretical, perhaps, but heartfelt, based on a lifetime love for God's creatures. May the Humane Society find a good solution to their need. , As a prediabetic senior, I’ve used Ozempic for three years without side effects other than reducing weight and obtaining healthy lab results.

For the last eight months, I’ve only been allowed one 28 day syringe each pharmacy visit because of the Ozempic “shortage” aggravated by people seeking Ozempic outside of legitimate prescriptions. That brings me to the broader issues of lax oversight, privatization, greed and profits only motivation which are increasing at an alarming rate in Canada as our health care — once envied around the world — decays.

I can no longer get a flu or COVID shot at my family doctor’s office as they are now outsourced to private retail chains. At least I am fortunate to have a doctor. Many do not. The current Ontario government contributes to this climate as it continues its drive to starve and break public systems, declare a “crisis” and then propose only private, for profit providers as “solutions.” I have recently read Jonathan Karl’s books “Betrayal” and “Front Row at the Trump Show.” These books show how Donald Trump slandered the media as being fake news.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is doing the same thing, rudely chomping on an apple during an interview. He insults journalists exactly like Trump. Personally, I trust the mainstream media coverage. I read the Star and the Globe and Mail both accurate and honest. I believe the media holds politicians accountable through checks and balances.

When the Star or the Globe print a story that is inaccurate you can call the media council of Canada to make things right. I will be voting for the party that gives rather than takes. We pay taxes for a reason. I like dental coverage and a decent pension. Conservatives will kill our social safety nets.

And for how much savings? , The present provincial government is planning to move the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place at a great cost to taxpayers. The science centre was designed by a world renowned architect and resident of Ontario, the late Raymond Moriyama. The building is a work of art and should not be torn down.

Premier Doug Ford seems to be more interested in making money for developers than preserving a beautiful piece of architecture. Not really different from throwing a tomato at the Mona Lisa or vandalizing some other great works done by respected people. , About 188,000 Ukrainians have been welcomed into Canada from a population base of about 46 million.

Proportionately at least 9,000 Palestinians should be welcomed on a base of 1.9 million in Gaza..