Kids...education...cuts...my personal opinion.
Today I traveled back to the school where I taught because it was time for their annual musical. This year, it was 'Music Man [Junior]' and I was told that 80 kids were a part of the singing and dancing. The music teachers are wizards when it comes to this. Many, many successful productions have preceded this one, and now they perform at the high school because there was a renovation project which included a brand new auditorium. It is always fun to see the transformation from , for example, annoying kid in your math class who doesn't do his homework often enough...to a singing and dancing marvel whose lines are all memorized and the performance was 'well done, too!!'Well, today I realized that when you don't know the kids, it's certainly not as much fun. I have been retired for 4 years and since the building is grades 4-6,they were all unfamiliar faces. It was still great to see kids get to show a different side.... other than their 'I must pass the state test ' p
ersona...which by the way has already taken its toll on the 'cut, paste, and make it yours' types of activities. Those minutes now go to 'that which is tested, with the results compared to every district in the county published in the newspaper, and monitored by the state. Don't think for a second that I don't understand the value and importance of reading, math, soc st, science, etc. And that priorities and guidelines needed to be addressed.
ersona...which by the way has already taken its toll on the 'cut, paste, and make it yours' types of activities. Those minutes now go to 'that which is tested, with the results compared to every district in the county published in the newspaper, and monitored by the state. Don't think for a second that I don't understand the value and importance of reading, math, soc st, science, etc. And that priorities and guidelines needed to be addressed. My personal opinion is when kids eat healthy food, get sufficient sleep, spend fewer 
hours in front of a screen [ tv, play station, computer, cell phone], and have someone who helps them keep school a top priority...when that happens you will see the scores go right off the charts. Part of the roll of "Be a Parent" not a friend.
hours in front of a screen [ tv, play station, computer, cell phone], and have someone who helps them keep school a top priority...when that happens you will see the scores go right off the charts. Part of the roll of "Be a Parent" not a friend.
What worries me is that with the current economic climate, the discussions will begin about what to cut. Will it be staff? We have already seen the library staff take a hit. Will it be the arts? Music, Art, and Phys Ed, develop special skills as well as people skills. Will it be extra programs? Sports? Clubs?The bottom line seems to always come down to money and prop
erty taxes. I'm not rich, I pay school taxes, and I don't have any kids in school [now]. But I can see the bigger picture and our future depends on the next generation of thinking, capable, and productive citizens with people skills. And that is an investment of time and money. Pay for it now...or pay for it later.
erty taxes. I'm not rich, I pay school taxes, and I don't have any kids in school [now]. But I can see the bigger picture and our future depends on the next generation of thinking, capable, and productive citizens with people skills. And that is an investment of time and money. Pay for it now...or pay for it later.Be a part of the solution...whether you are a taxpayer, a parent, a concerned person, or a future senior citizen.
Oh yeah...the musical today...to all who were involved...Bravo!!
I know that a lot of time and effort went into it, and the smiles on the kids' faces at the curtain call were priceless. I hope there are many more to come.
Labels: commentary, music, teaching
posted by Mare at
5:00 PM
10 Comments:
I've been in education also and go along with your thoughts. The parents and discipline at home affect the school so strongly and how the student learns.
By
Great Grandma Lin, At
February 5, 2009 at 8:56 PM
As a former teacher myself I, too, have to agree. Parents and discipline do indeed make a difference in the quality of students that turn up in your classes. I work with a Jump Start program for pre-schoolers and I have been discouraged to see parents finding more and more things for their kids to do that have little or nothing to do with learning, but more like keeping them out of the way. Too much television, too many computer games, computers in their own rooms, not enough time spent with their kids doing things together. We're not turning out the best students in the world these days and it's sad to see.
By
Sylvia K, At
February 5, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Parents seem to be will to give their kids everything but their time and attention. The results show.
This kind of musical production is pretty much a thing of the past here in our schools. But if our kids had better parenting, they could spare the time from other instruction to participate in these activities that build character.
By
Linda Reeder, At
February 5, 2009 at 10:22 PM
As an example of today's school kid. Our rural mailbox was bashed in. We found out that 8 streets has mailboxes bashed by three 18 year olds who came here from their 1/2 million dollar homes to do damage. One of them was class president..What the heck is their problem...Michelle
By
Anonymous, At
February 5, 2009 at 11:52 PM
FYI--I taught with Mare for many years...not always at the same building...check that...not often at the same building. Since my stint was always at the primary building and I have been retired for only two years, I knew many students in the play.
Beyond all the state test crap, every student has a story and these were no exception. The curtain call was especially emotional for me because among the students bowing was one of my personal faves...because I had spent so much time with him one on one. See, he has battled two forms of leukemia for more than half of his eleven years and he often received home-bound instruction. The disease has robbed him of him of a lot of his childhood...last year he was sick when it was time to perform. Of course, let's also remember that since this is a very small district, his classmates have felt the sting of his absence, too.
Parents are just one key. Each and every one of us needs to continue to be involved and realize that beyond the performance there are many, many untold, yet important, stories.
By
Anonymous, At
February 6, 2009 at 10:22 AM
You are right about what kids need to be successful! I didn't ever believe that my sons' educations were strictly up to the schools. It was our responsibility to see that they had what they needed and to take advantage of what was offered.
I agree that too many parents find television and video games as effective ways to keep children occupied. What in the world did we do without them? ;-)
By
Jo, a retired teacher, At
February 6, 2009 at 10:39 AM
In answer to Jo's comment... I know she knows. What did we do without TV and video games and computer games? We did more! Oh so much more together as a family, as friends.
And in response to your question Mare, about what will be cut... I'll bet my last breath that it won't be sports programs.
I am so in agreement with your thoughts on parents and their involvement with their children and their children's education. I can only imagine how frustrated and saddened you must have been as a teacher. The stories you must have to tell...
By
wispy willow, At
February 6, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Being an Elementary Secretary I could not agree more with your thoughts on be a parent, not a friend. This week we had a 1st grader miss an afternoon because she was getting her hair done and I quote "mu mom told me not to tell you"! Mind you mom was a Vegas Pole Dancer previously!
By
Unknown, At
February 7, 2009 at 12:52 AM
the school here are taking a huge hit with budget cuts and they were struggling to begin with
parents do need to be more involved but there also needs to be a deeper commitment to our children on the part of our leaders - I know Obama knows that but he has so many idiots getting in his way
in this economy many parents are working more than 1 job, both parents work - even the grandparents work and there are not enough programs to help
By
Dianne, At
February 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Mare;
i love musicals ...just one of my favorites when it comes to music! I agree with you about education..we all should be concerend with education...worries me that a lot of issues will be cut ...and if it's education that gets cut...hopefully only for a short time!
By
Peggy, At
February 9, 2009 at 10:37 AM
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