"Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that never was before and never will be again. And what do we teach our children in school? We teach them that two and two make four and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also ask them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all of the world there is no other child exactly like you. In the millions of years that have passed, there has never been a child like you. And look at your body - What a wonder it is; your legs, your arms, your cunning fingers, the way you move! You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you a marvel? You must cherish one another. You must work - we all must work - to make this world worthy of its children."
Right now there is a movement here in Iowa to pressure the political candidates to put Education on the front burner in the campaign. I would request that they read and ponder the above.
Some politicians have been trying to undermine the schools and they use “buzz” words and ides such as “bad” teachers or poor schools. They criticize the schools because they are for all children and we do not make one religion the preferred one. Yes when I was a child we sang Christmas Carols in school. It did not bother me because I was a Christian. Today I realize that to do that is unfair to the Jewish or Muslim child. I can still sing those songs – just not in a school. That is the way it should be. The rights of the minority should not be trampled on by the majority.
Those politicians have instituted legislation, which forces schools to use testing to see that “no child is left behind.” (That implies that schools deliberately leave children behind.) That legislation takes money away from the poorest “performing” schools without regard to the reasons for that low performance. Instead of bolstering the schools that need it most they would deprive them of the money and support they need to help students become better achievers.
If you really want to support public schools and see that our great nation continues to maintain these schools high achievement you will look at the record of those politicians to see if they really support the schools or if they are paying “lip-service” to the idea of free public education. You will make your presence known at school and in your child’s life and not just use the schools as baby sitters. You will volunteer and help out at school.
You will take your children on trips to learn and involve them in the planning of those trips. YOU WILL READ TO THEM. You will let them (and the schools) know what you value and help out with those schools in any way you can. You won’t stereotype “all,” or “most” of the schools and bash them. You will become a part of the solution to helping schools become the best they can be.
Be loved. Love the children. Hugs. jcs
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