Rise and Shine --- Upper Darby has it all wrong

Good Morning and welcome to the calm before the storm!

So, in case you missed it, Upper Darby school officials are proposing cutting any 'special' classes throughout the district.
That means Upper Darby students won't have designated music, gym or language classes.
Now, some out there might be saying, "Good. These kids need more time in the classroom."
Well, let me tell you from experience, this is the absolutely worst way to go about bringing up those precious scores.
What students need are more specials. Unfortunately, Upper Darby has decided that teachers spending all their time teaching for a state-mandated test is the road to go down.
Sure, the plan says teachers will fit gym, music and art into their daily curriculum, but we all know that's not happening.
For the first year, there may be some art. After that, it will all be book learning and no time for an outlet.
Last year, a third-grader I knew struggled in his first year in the Upper Darby School District. He was given less time to be a young student while the teachers (through no fault of their own) were doing practice test after practice test and preaching about the importance of the PSSA.
This year, as a fourth-grader, he is excelling in a neighboring school district that puts less emphasis on the standardized testing and more on letting students be children.
By the way, the new school district has never had a problem making the state numbers.
Somebody has to stand up to these cuts. It would be nice if Upper Darby officials had the backbone to see what knocking off all these programs will do to the students.
Yes, I know all about the funding our esteemed Governer has taken from school districts. Yes, I know districts have to take hard looks at their budgets, but just taking a hatchet to programs (and teachers) will do no good in the long run.

Rise and Shine --- Pizza with mice?

Good Morning and welcome back to the insider space!

So, I'm wondering this morning how it's possible to go to bed early, sleep through the night and still be exhausted the next morning. Man, that coffee can't brew quick enough.
You know, ever since moving to Delaware County, I've always wondered about the number of pizza places. There are pizza joints right next to each other on some blocks. Others are across the street from each other.
The competition is, obviously, crazy. Just think about how many of those pizza menus are left at your door each week.
With that much dough being tossed around (do they still do that?), it's obvious each pizza shop needs to distinguish itself from the rest.
Still, taking mice into a rival's shop is going a bit overboard.
How about trying something different in you shop? How about branching out and changing the menu around? How about making it a fun place to come?
No, this joker decided to do it the easy way and try to sabotage his neighbor.
Maybe it tells you all you need to know about pizza shop owners.

Rise and Shine --- Don't get bullying

Good Morning and welcome to the next big thing!

You know, I've never understood bullying. I'll probably never understand the pack mentality of picking on somebody because they are smaller, different or whatever.
To any logical thinking person, the whole concept is a little beyond scope.
Really, does it make you feel better to pick on somebody? Does it somehow enhance your life to hurt somebody?
You would hope those arrested in Upper Darby yesterday sat in the jail cell and thought about what they did. Chances are at least a couple did, but chances are also good others still see it as no big deal.
Well, it is a big deal. Children have enough pressure on them these days, they don't need to be watching over their shoulders all day.
I've tried to teach that to my children. If somebody needs help, don't walk away, help them out. Don't pick on anybody. Don't laugh at anybody.
Remember, you wouldn't want it to happen to you.

Rise and Shine -- Whistling in the cold

Good Morning and welcome to the bubble!

You know, the Upper Darby School District gets a bad rap about things. That city of a high school that sits on Lansdowne Avenue is one good one. It should have been addressed years ago, but, like most things, money got in the way.
One thing the school district has going for it is the music program. In a day and age when when school districts are taking the knife to music and art programs, it's to Upper Darby's credit the music has continued to flow.
The last two Wednesday nights I had the pleasure to attend concerts at Drexel Hill Middle School. Last week was the chorus, this week was the orchestra.
To listen to middle schoolers play their violins, cellos, flutes is impressive. Knowing the time the teachers and students put into practice only makes it more impressive.
I am lucky enough to have a reason to attend these concerts. There will be a few in the elementary school coming up as well.
I just wanted to thank the district for holding firm and keeping the music alive.