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School bans phones after assembly rudeness

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SCAPPOOSE, Ore., March 31 (UPI) -- Officials at an Oregon high school said they are banning cellphones and iPods after rude behavior during a speaking engagement by a Holocaust survivor.

Scappoose High School administrators said the electronic devices are now banned for the school's 700 students after Alter Wiener, 84, was repeatedly interrupted during a January assembly by students text messaging and talking on their phones, KGW-TV, Portland, Ore., reported Wednesday.

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"This is the first time I had to deflect from the presentation and say, please show me some respect," said Wiener, who survived stints in five different Nazi labor and concentration camps while his entire family was slain. "It's an insult to me."

"He (Wiener) told us point blank, " Principal Eric Clendenin said. "I've been to 500 schools and this is the worst experience I've had."

The principal said he hopes Wiener will give the school a second chance.

Wiener did not rule out a return appearance.

"I have no problem to forgive, " he said.

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