SCHOOL'S OUT!

Well school is out for summer. I had a great year and anticipate another great year next year. I have been out of town for a few days so I thought I better get another post up and going. I want to challenge junior high and high school kids to better themselves this summer. I don't mean just "my" kids. I mean every kid that reads this blog. I challenge kids to read more, volunteer in your community, volunteer to help an elderly person in your neighborhood, teach a younger sibling. or younger friend, something useful, etc. There are many things out there that you can do to better yourself. You will find out how good you can feel when you do something that is not required or asked of you. This type of behavior is addicting and can lead to wonderful things. I am not telling you to not have fun this summer! I am telling you to make sure that you understand that other people may not be able to have the same fun, and exciting, summer that you have planned, but with your help, they could have an enjoyable summer. Who knows, maybe you may even make some new friends and develop some great characteristics that will help you later in life. There is nothing better than hearing "thank you", or seeing a big smile on someone's face, after you help them in a situation in which they thought there was going to be no help.

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little." - Edmund Burke

Going to School Year-Round

It's the end of the school year so I think I am safe bringing this subject up. Ok, maybe not. The way I understand how year-round school works is that you are in class for 9 weeks and then you get 2-3 weeks off. Then you go another 9 weeks and get another 2-3 weeks off, and so on. The last few years or so my thoughts about year-round school have changed. When I was a "green" teacher I couldn't wait for summer and enjoyed every minute of it. Summer has always been a rejuvenating period for me. I usually come back to school very enthusiastic and ready to go. To be honest though, the last ten years or so, I am getting antsy to get back into a routine after about a month of summer. Don't get me wrong, I still love summer break, but I think year-round school would be better for everyone. When I say everyone I mean the kids, the teachers, and the parents. If you have ever taught before, or are teaching, you know how hard it is to get the kids, and yourself, back in the groove of things in the fall. For some kids it might take as long as the entire first quarter to get everything organized and moving smoothly. Year-round school would eliminate this "transition" period. Parents would also not have to go through this "nagging" period to get their kids back in a routine. I think all the teachers, and students, would stay fresher and more inspired if they knew they had a couple week break after working hard for one 9 week period.

There are some major problems with this change. First and foremost, keeping daycare for the kids when they are off for those 2-3 weeks during the year is a big concern. This would not be acceptable in most daycares. Most daycares don't allow you to come and go whenever. You must hold your spot. This is a major problem for parents. Second, in our area (the Midwest), schools would have to have air-conditioning for those unbearable summer months. Third, the entire sports and extra curricular activity schedules would have to be completely redone. And fourth, making a change like this would require some major open-mindedness from everyone!

Who Needs a Pacifier?

We have to do something about gun control in this state, and nation! "What do you mean?", you ask. Well check this out. A 10-month-old was issued a legal gun permit! How can this happen? His father filled out the gun permit but did not expect it to go through. He did not even lie on the application! He had a picture of his son with his correct height and weight. A spokesman for the state police said that their is no age restrictions for applicants. Please tell me this: If a 10-month-old can get a gun permit, who can't? To me, this is a scary situation. The father did say the gun, a 12-gauge Beretta shotgun, would probably be kept at his father's house until "Bubba" was at least 14. What do you think?

The Death Penalty Argument

Today in Lewistown, Illinois Daniel Ramsey was sentenced to death for the fatal shootings of two Hancock County girls in 1996. He was convicted in 1997 and sentenced to death but the case was overturned on an insanity defense technicality. On April 25 he pleaded guilty to four counts of first degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, and one count each of aggravated criminal sexual assault and home invasion. He has never denied shooting the two girls. There has been no death sentences carried out in Illinois since 2003. At that time Governor Ryan imposed a moratorium on executions. Governor Blagojevich has continued the moratorium.

This all being said, I will tell you that I am for the death penalty but have heard several good arguments against it. I believe, roughly, "an eye for and eye". I also believe that the public should not have to pay for a convicted killer's meals, medications, medical treatment, etc. so that he/she may live out his/her life in prison. This individual is doing nothing for society! He/she has taken at least one life and is now, in a sense, living on a "free ticket". The individual doesn't have to work for a living. He or she doesn't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

I know, one of the arguments that I hear is that to take a life is not our decision. It is the decision of a higher power. Did the person that lost his/her life, to this violent and heartless person, get to choose when he/she died? Did a higher power decide it was time for that individual to die at the hands of this madman? I find this hard to believe. I am sure there are other arguments out there against the death penalty. Please inform me. I have an open mind, but as of now I am for it!

Manners (The Lack Thereof)

My first post ever was on the lack of positive thinking in this world. I was recently reminded that manners, and respect for other individuals, is also very hard to find in many places. My daughter was in a dance recital, and we (parents, family, friends, etc.), were instructed to stay quiet during the dance routines and to clear the aisles as soon as possible between dance routines. It was a total joke! You could sure tell when relatives and friends of certain dancers were not performing. Adults were talking, to each other and on cell phones, and moving about like nothing was going on. It was ridiculous! My family, and several others, were following directions but it did not matter. There were several times the instructor had to wait for the next performance because people were not doing what they were supposed to. We are talking about adults! My son was better behaved than many of the adults. Don't all young people that work hard on a routine for months deserve everyone's attention for a few minutes? I will be honest. I do not like dance recitals. I am a sports person. I am also a teacher. Even though I do not like dance recitals, I do know that all these young people worked extremely hard to be able to perform in front of this large audience. We, as a family, did what we were told so that everyone could enjoy the show and focus on the child they came to see. I can not even begin to count how many adults I have heard complain about children not listening or following directions. How can we expect children to follow directions when we, as adults, can't follow directions? For some reason many adults feel that they are immune to instruction because they are adults. Just remember, children do what they see!

By the way, the dancers were all wonderful! You could sure tell they worked hard. Congratulations to the teachers and dancers for putting on a wonderful program.