East Islip recently brought in Port Jervis educator Andrew Marotta as part of the school district’s commitment to distraction-free learning, offering his “Being a Winner, With and Without Your Cellphones” concept in a September series of seven energetic, interactive presentations at East Islip Middle School and East Islip High School. Like all New York State school districts, East Islip implemented cellphone restrictions this year. Marotta’s presentation seeks to turn this new policy into a positive, providing inspirational ideas on how students can create great, uplifting content when using their phones, as well as urging them to find their dreams.

“My presentation is really about the positive things in your life,” Marotta said. “When you have your phone, what are the good things that you could do? And when you don’t have your phone, how can you engage with others? How can you be present?”