The school year is almost finished. It was something of an ambush for many. We thought things would be settling out. They did not. Following are some of my current thoughts. They are rooted in my experience. Both my current daily work in a rural middle and high school and my personal and professional connections to public education throughout my life. The reality is it is painful to be at school. On the best days something seems “off.” At the same time there is a mysterious beauty. With little sense of what the future will become, I am intrigued to be seeing what is unfolding.
I totally feel this, Jim. "MASH mode" Triage. It's been really rough for the kids in our district. Most parents just have a couple of kids to worry about, but they front like they're education and mental health policy experts. Then they never even show up to Board meetings or volunteer to read a book to a kid. I wish you well. Hang in there.
Very good writing, Jim. It makes me sad. I'm sure I'm over-simplifying, and I know there are plenty of institutional problems, but these kids don't seem to have a firm moral/ethical foundation, nor a sense of true North. Old fashioned religion may be a poor example... but isn't building this in children one of the useful things that religion is, ostensibly, supposed to accomplish? I wonder if there is any way to compare secular schools with "faith-based" schools in this regard. Any insight?
Wow! I loved this! The challenges in education are plenty and I think as a society, we need to get back to kindness and respect for all and it starts at home and continues throughout our lives. Maybe, just maybe these small acts can make a ripple of a difference????
I know this is an “ostrich reaction”, but I’m SO glad my kids and yours are no longer in school! Then I remember our grandkids are!
I totally feel this, Jim. "MASH mode" Triage. It's been really rough for the kids in our district. Most parents just have a couple of kids to worry about, but they front like they're education and mental health policy experts. Then they never even show up to Board meetings or volunteer to read a book to a kid. I wish you well. Hang in there.
Very good writing, Jim. It makes me sad. I'm sure I'm over-simplifying, and I know there are plenty of institutional problems, but these kids don't seem to have a firm moral/ethical foundation, nor a sense of true North. Old fashioned religion may be a poor example... but isn't building this in children one of the useful things that religion is, ostensibly, supposed to accomplish? I wonder if there is any way to compare secular schools with "faith-based" schools in this regard. Any insight?
Wow! I loved this! The challenges in education are plenty and I think as a society, we need to get back to kindness and respect for all and it starts at home and continues throughout our lives. Maybe, just maybe these small acts can make a ripple of a difference????