Good Morning and watch out for that rain!
I had a high school history teacher who always said the greatest risk of another World War was going to be when we get people in power who didn't remember what war was like.
His theory, and one I believe more as the years go by, is those that lived through World War II didn't want to see that again. It didn't solve anything. It just killed a whole lot of people.
Well, we are pretty much in the era he warned about now.
Which, makes this video even more disturbing:
Showing posts with label schools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label schools. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Monday, December 17, 2012
Rise and Shine --- Guns
Good Morning and, yes, it's only a week until Christmas!
So, everybody kept asking Friday if I was going to talk to the children about what happened in Connecticut. My first reaction was no. I didn't think there was a need. They watch the news. They'll see what happened and ask any questions if necessary.
I wasn't trying to shield them from bad news, I just didn't think they would have much to say or ask.
In the end, I told them they need to listen to teachers and take those drills to heart. If something happens, I want them to be safe.
On the same side, I don't want them living in fear. You can't live looking over your shoulder or worried about what might happen. Sure, you have to be diligent, but worrying all the time will cause you to miss out on a lot.
I don't know if the issue will be brought up at local schools today. I am pretty sure there will be some extra measures taken (making sure all doors are locked, etc.), but I hope there isn't extra security.
We don't need that.
Sure, we need to do something. We need to make sure everybody is safe.
What we don't need to do is give up.
So, everybody kept asking Friday if I was going to talk to the children about what happened in Connecticut. My first reaction was no. I didn't think there was a need. They watch the news. They'll see what happened and ask any questions if necessary.
I wasn't trying to shield them from bad news, I just didn't think they would have much to say or ask.
In the end, I told them they need to listen to teachers and take those drills to heart. If something happens, I want them to be safe.
On the same side, I don't want them living in fear. You can't live looking over your shoulder or worried about what might happen. Sure, you have to be diligent, but worrying all the time will cause you to miss out on a lot.
I don't know if the issue will be brought up at local schools today. I am pretty sure there will be some extra measures taken (making sure all doors are locked, etc.), but I hope there isn't extra security.
We don't need that.
Sure, we need to do something. We need to make sure everybody is safe.
What we don't need to do is give up.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Rise and Shine --- YAWN
Good Morning and there's something about these rainy days that just make it too easy to go back to bed!
I remember these kind of days (since they didn't come all the time) were kind of cool while in grade school. Usually, we'd get dropped off by the bus and start running around until the bell rung.
We would race, play football, talk about the Phillies game or the latest edition of Sports Illustrated.
Rainy days, though, we were forced inside. We would wait in the cafeteria until the bell. Since nobody wanted to look uncool and carry an umbrella, we'd all be a little wet.
Somehow, though, those mornings with the rain coming down outside hold more memories to me than the ones spent running around outside.
It's probably because that was the days when we were always outside. We'd wake up on, say, a Saturday morning, eat a quick breakfast, then jump on our bikes.
Now, I have a hard time convincing the children to get outside. Ride bikes? Only if it's a miracle.
Rainy days today are celebrated because there is no choice. Back in the day, it was a welcome break.
I remember these kind of days (since they didn't come all the time) were kind of cool while in grade school. Usually, we'd get dropped off by the bus and start running around until the bell rung.
We would race, play football, talk about the Phillies game or the latest edition of Sports Illustrated.
Rainy days, though, we were forced inside. We would wait in the cafeteria until the bell. Since nobody wanted to look uncool and carry an umbrella, we'd all be a little wet.
Somehow, though, those mornings with the rain coming down outside hold more memories to me than the ones spent running around outside.
It's probably because that was the days when we were always outside. We'd wake up on, say, a Saturday morning, eat a quick breakfast, then jump on our bikes.
Now, I have a hard time convincing the children to get outside. Ride bikes? Only if it's a miracle.
Rainy days today are celebrated because there is no choice. Back in the day, it was a welcome break.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Rise and Shine --- Cold hard schooling facts
Good Morning and, yes, it really is 2012 no matter what you wrote on that last check!!
By the way, does anybody really write checks any more? I mean, you can pay all your bills online. You can transfer money through the bank website. Are checks going the way of regular mail?
Speaking of going away, how about all those Catholic school closings? Pretty amazing, huh.
A neighbor who's school is staying open said Friday, "You know, we are safe, but it's getting about time to pull the plug. They are only going to raise tuition. I think they are pricing people out of Catholic education."
Now, I went to Catholic school for the first eight years. Back then (yeah, ancient history), going to the Church's school was free (as long as your parents kept up with the all-important weekly envelope).
Now, some schools cost parishioners like $6,000 a year and that's only if they still keep the Sunday envelope coming. High schools cost nearly $12,000 a year.
Sorry, I know it's tradition and stuff, but people just can't afford that kind of bill.
My old school has been consolidated twice. This time, it's leaving the building. Now, while I cherish the time there it has more to do with the friends I made and less to do with the lessons I learned.
By the way, does anybody really write checks any more? I mean, you can pay all your bills online. You can transfer money through the bank website. Are checks going the way of regular mail?
Speaking of going away, how about all those Catholic school closings? Pretty amazing, huh.
A neighbor who's school is staying open said Friday, "You know, we are safe, but it's getting about time to pull the plug. They are only going to raise tuition. I think they are pricing people out of Catholic education."
Now, I went to Catholic school for the first eight years. Back then (yeah, ancient history), going to the Church's school was free (as long as your parents kept up with the all-important weekly envelope).
Now, some schools cost parishioners like $6,000 a year and that's only if they still keep the Sunday envelope coming. High schools cost nearly $12,000 a year.
Sorry, I know it's tradition and stuff, but people just can't afford that kind of bill.
My old school has been consolidated twice. This time, it's leaving the building. Now, while I cherish the time there it has more to do with the friends I made and less to do with the lessons I learned.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Rise and Shine --- It's the test
Good Morning and here comes the weekend!
This is an actual conversation that happens almost daily:
'So, what did you do in school today?'
I dunno.
'Did you do anything except sit around?'
I dunno.
'Did you learn anything?'
I dunno.
Well, this week, anybody who has a student (or knows a student) in public schools knows exactly what is going on this week (and most of next week): The darned PSSA tests.
Not that the schools have any choice in the matter, but the stupid (and culturally biased) tests are given from third grade on supposedly to measure 'what the student has learned.'
In reality, they are learning how to take the test. The teachers are under pressure from the administration to make sure they teach only for the test. The students are put under pressure (more pressure?) by the teachers to do well on the test.
See, the government bases school funding on how the students do on these tests, not how happy they are or how much real stuff they've actually learned.
It's time to put an end to these things. There has to be a better way.
See, it all comes around in the end.
This is an actual conversation that happens almost daily:
'So, what did you do in school today?'
I dunno.
'Did you do anything except sit around?'
I dunno.
'Did you learn anything?'
I dunno.
Well, this week, anybody who has a student (or knows a student) in public schools knows exactly what is going on this week (and most of next week): The darned PSSA tests.
Not that the schools have any choice in the matter, but the stupid (and culturally biased) tests are given from third grade on supposedly to measure 'what the student has learned.'
In reality, they are learning how to take the test. The teachers are under pressure from the administration to make sure they teach only for the test. The students are put under pressure (more pressure?) by the teachers to do well on the test.
See, the government bases school funding on how the students do on these tests, not how happy they are or how much real stuff they've actually learned.
It's time to put an end to these things. There has to be a better way.
See, it all comes around in the end.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Rise and Shine --- Homework
Good Morning and welcome to the rain!
When I was a student (so many moons ago), like everybody else, I hated homework. I would do whatever I could to push off the doing of homework. I would pretend I was asleep. I would pretend I was sick. I would pretend I didn't have any homework.
Eventually, of course, I had to get the homework done. I can remember more than a few times trying to do my homework when my friends were outside playing. I can remember my friends ringing the doorbell, only to be told I was still doing homework.
What I don't remember is having as much homework as is being assigned now. A fifth-grader I know can spend hours a night (late afternoon, actually) doing math, spelling, grammer, social studies.
One Canadian family got so fed up with the homework, they worked out a deal with the school to stop it from coming home.
This is a big dilemma. I know children need to do homework, but I also know there are so inundated with tests and the like during school hours they need down time as well. So, we try to get the homework done right after school so the rest of the night is free.
Teachers say it's better to let the children decompress after school before doing homework. Well, with work, activities, dinner and the fast-approaching bed time, that doesn't fly.
If teachers really want children to be so well-rounded, don't give so much homework. You have them all day, get the work done during school hours. Give them a half hour at the end of the day to get some work done. Of course, thanks to the fabulous 'No Child Left Behind' mandate, there is virtually no time for lunch let alone extra work.
I wish there was a better solution.
When I was a student (so many moons ago), like everybody else, I hated homework. I would do whatever I could to push off the doing of homework. I would pretend I was asleep. I would pretend I was sick. I would pretend I didn't have any homework.
Eventually, of course, I had to get the homework done. I can remember more than a few times trying to do my homework when my friends were outside playing. I can remember my friends ringing the doorbell, only to be told I was still doing homework.
What I don't remember is having as much homework as is being assigned now. A fifth-grader I know can spend hours a night (late afternoon, actually) doing math, spelling, grammer, social studies.
One Canadian family got so fed up with the homework, they worked out a deal with the school to stop it from coming home.
This is a big dilemma. I know children need to do homework, but I also know there are so inundated with tests and the like during school hours they need down time as well. So, we try to get the homework done right after school so the rest of the night is free.
Teachers say it's better to let the children decompress after school before doing homework. Well, with work, activities, dinner and the fast-approaching bed time, that doesn't fly.
If teachers really want children to be so well-rounded, don't give so much homework. You have them all day, get the work done during school hours. Give them a half hour at the end of the day to get some work done. Of course, thanks to the fabulous 'No Child Left Behind' mandate, there is virtually no time for lunch let alone extra work.
I wish there was a better solution.
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