Valid concerns exist on each side of the discussion about school students with cell phones on their persons during the school day (See “Area schools manage students’ phone use,” Oct 3).

Having a cell phone “at the ready” in situations of emergency can be a life saver. Might the schools be able to provide each student with the sort of cell phone that can call their parents or other responsible persons in such times and during out-of-school hours as well, but which do not access “interesting but distracting” contacts? Such a phone could remain on each student’s person, at the ready in cases of in-school emergencies.

Parents could be invited but not required to help to pay for such devices.

Dr. Karl E. Moyer

Lancaster, Pa.