Should Students Have Cellphones in School?

Have you heard about the issues with students being able to have their phones in school? Well I’m going to give you my opinion of why students should be able to use their phones.
I think students should be able to use their phones in school because they might have an emergency, and they have to tell someone immediately. For example, if a student fell and got hurt in class, and the teacher wasn’t around, then the other student with their phone would be able to call the front desk, or the clinic.
Phones are also useful during school because we can look up definitions for some words, or information that we don’t know. Today I interviewed Anecia and I asked her, “What are you using your phone for?” She answered and said, “I’m looking up a difficult word that I don’t know.” Her answer supports my argument because she’s using her phone for a good reason, which is to look up the definition for a word that she doesn’t know.
The teacher that I interviewed disagreed with me because cell phones distract the class, and they prevent kids from getting their work done. He said “I think it’s fine for students to find words, listen to music, and use it as a calculator,” so he kind of supports my argument. I agree that sometimes students get distracted by their phones, and that we should be using it for useful things, but we should be able to use it during school because sometimes we need it.
Overall, I think students should be able to use their cellphones during school for these reasons: emergencies, checking up words you don’t know, listening to music, and for a calculator.
Dana George
Scammon Bay, AK

A Preventable Shooting Tragedy
The Parkland, FL shooter had a history of violent behavior. Police were called to his house many times, but they did not arrest him because the school board had an agreement with the police not to arrest any students. The FBI received a viable tip indicating he wanted to shoot up a school, but the lead was not pursued.
The following are incredible: A student saw the shooter in a stairway loading his rifle, but did nothing to try to stop him when told “things are going to get messy around here”. The student left the building, did not call 911, but informed a teacher. The teacher drove the student to a baseball field, and then went back to the school to check it out, but the shooting had started. Why did the armed deputy sheriff assigned to protect the school stand around during the shooting? If true, why did three police officers arrive at the school and take cover behind their vehicles, and not enter the school?
Arming teachers who are not trained to be police officers could be disastrous. What happens when a police officer enters a school during a shooting and encounters a teacher with a gun?
We should increase the age to purchase a firearm to 21. Most school shooters are under 21. We have to improve the background check system. Schools need to lock all entrances, and install shatter proof glass and alarms. A heavily armed security guard should be stationed in every school.
Donald Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH

An unsettling situation
Under an earlier Calista Corporation presidency, the chain of command was not followed with the Board supposedly on top of the organizational chart with the President under the Board which was subverted. This situation was unsettling causing me to protest under a variety of themes; I am glad we have a new Board chairman Colonel Wayne Don who I know will adhere to the organizational chart. Besides, Col. Don is from my home village of Mekoryuk, Congratulations Col. Don.
Gilbert Keywehak
Mount Pleasant, MI

Senator Bill Wielechowski Responds to Russian Hacks into Alaska’s Election System
Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) issued the following statement today regarding NBC News reporting that Russia allegedly accessed seven states’ voter registration systems or websites prior to the 2016 election, including potentially Alaska:
According to NBC News, three “senior intelligence officials” stated that seven states elections’ websites or databases are believed to have been “compromised” during the 2016 election. Alaska is reportedly on that list of states. The Alaska Division of Elections previously stated on September 22, 2017 that these attacks were “unsuccessful.” Alaskans have a right to know exactly what occurred, if there were illegal entrances into our system during the election process, and to what extent it may have tainted Alaska’s election or Alaskans’ data.
It is also imperative that we look at measures now to prevent future intrusions into our electoral system. We must uphold the integrity of our elections, especially with one right around the corner. I urge the Senate Majority to schedule hearings to investigate this in more detail to have the information put on the record and begin talks about ensuring our future elections are absolutely secure.
Members of the press with questions may contact Alaska Senate Democratic Press Secretary, Noah Hanson at 465-5319.
Noah Hanson
Senate Democratic Press Secretary
Juneau, AK

Add felons to HB 75
On HB 75 the legislature should also add felon criminal gang bangers to the list that the government takes away their guns because they are a danger to themselves and the community at large. We would have a lot less crime then. It would force the criminals to get a job in order to be able to buy their opioids instead of going block by block stealing everything they can get their hands on.
John Suter
Chugiak, AK

Rep. Young’s Washington Update; February 28, 2018
Dear Friends,
2018 has already been a busy year and we are just getting started. Already, the House has passed 60 bills addressing issues ranging from funding the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and protecting sexual assault victims to assisting small businesses recover after a natural disaster and providing important resources to our military.
At the end of last year, Congress passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which provided a much needed reform for the American tax code. In this bill, there was a specific provision that allowed for the responsible resource development of the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to act as a revenue source for the measure. For many years, I have advocated for the responsible development of the 1002 area because it allows Alaska to be a leader in energy production and reduces our country’s dependence on foreign oil which strengthens our national security. This is a huge victory for our country and our great state. The estimated federal revenues from production are expected to be more than $100 billion and this will create thousands of new jobs.
Historic Tax Reform
Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became law, it had been 31 years since we last reformed our tax code which was full of loopholes and stifled our economy. With the new tax code, we are already seeing a strong response from companies across the nation. In less than 3 months, more than 350 companies have given their employees raises, bonuses, investments, additional benefits and creating more jobs.
Companies like Alaska Airlines, ExxonMobil, Starbucks, Home Depot, Verizon, FedEx, UPS, Walmart and Verizon are investing in their workforce. By updating our tax code, we are inviting more businesses to not only come to America, but to stay here.
Most importantly, this tax reform serves hard-working Americans. By lowering the individual tax rates for low-and middle-income Americans, you can keep more of the money you earn. This bill also significantly increases the standard deduction to protect about double the amount of what you earn each year from taxes and expands the Child Tax Credit to help with the cost of raising a family. Homeowners also benefit from this bill because the mortgage interest deduction is preserved which provides tax relief to current and future homeowners. When you get your next paycheck, be sure to check the Net Pay and Federal Tax Withholding sections to see how it changed.
Alaska Victories
While Congress has been quite active on issues impacting the nation, there have been some notable victories for Alaskans as well.
King Cove
For the last 35 years, the residents of King Cove have been attempting the reach the all-weather Cold Bay Airport in order to access life-saving medical care. After years of fighting to improve their quality of life, the Department of the Interior approved a small land exchange needed to construct a short, gravel road connecting the two communities. King Cove serves as a prime example of federal overreach and how misguided management practices make the lives of everyday people more difficult.
H.R. 219, the Swan Lake Hydroelectric Project Boundary Correction Act
The Swan Lake Hydroelectric Project is a facility in Southeast Alaska that provides electric power to nearly 20,000 Alaskans in Petersburg, Wrangell, Ketchikan and surrounding areas. The House passed H.R. 219, a bill I introduced to help correct a boundary line for the Project. This legislation designates a land transfer so the Project can continue serving their communities.
Dean of the House
In the U.S. House of Representatives, the Member with the longest continuous service is recognized as Dean of the House, a tradition that has its roots in the English Parliament. In December of 2017, my friend and fellow colleague Congressman John Conyers from Michigan retired from Congress. He served the State of Michigan for 52 years and during that time also served as Dean of the House but with his departure from Congress, I took over this time-honored position.
My time in the House has been marked by my work on behalf of Alaskans, lifelong friendships with my colleagues and my commitment to serve the nation. Becoming Dean of the House is an honor of a lifetime and I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the State of Alaska. One of the greatest honors of my life has been to advocate for Alaskans in Congress. As the only Member in the House representing Alaska, I have a distinct responsibility to work on the issues that directly impact our state and develop solutions.
All things considered, I’m honored for the opportunity to continue serving Alaskans in Congress and working with my colleagues in the House.
Back Home in Alaska
Last week, I was back home in Alaska traveling across the state. I met with a number of groups and constituents to discuss the issues that our local communities are facing and how I can help. It was a busy week back home but I enjoyed the all of the opportunities to hear from Alaskans and address their concerns.
How My Offices Can Assist You
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that they will have a new distribution program for Medicare cards. You can see the announcement from CMS here and as always, if you need assistance with a federal agency don’t hesitate to contact my office.
I’m excited to continue the work of Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives this year and I’m looking forward to continuing to serve you and the great state of Alaska in Congress. God Bless.
Don Young
Congressman for All Alaska

Non-Profit Organization is Seeking Local Host Families for High School Exchange Students
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE), in cooperation with your community high school, is looking for local families to host boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 18 from a variety of countries: Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Japan, to name a few.
ASSE students are enthusiastic and excited to experience American culture while they practice their English. They also love to share their own culture and language with their host families. Host families welcome these students into their family, not as a guest, but as a family member, giving everyone involved a rich cultural experience.
The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance. ASSE students are selected based on academics and personality, and host families can choose their student from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.
To become an ASSE Host Family or to find out how to become involved with ASSE in your community, please call the ASSE Western Regional Office at 1-800-733-2773 or go to www.host.asse.com to begin your host family application. Students are eager to learn about their American host family, so begin the process of welcoming your new son or daughter today!
ASSE INTERNATIONAL (FORMERLY AMERICAN SCANDINAVIAN STUDENT EXCHANGE) IS A NON-PROFIT, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANIZATION. ASSE IS OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS AN EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WAS FOUNDED BY THE SWEDISH MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, COOPERATES WITH THE CANADIAN PROVINCIAL MINISTRIES OF EDUCATION, and the NEW ZEALAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
Cindy Keeney
ASSE Western Regional Office