Thursday, August 7, 2008

Educate or else pt. 2

Ok, I am not sure if many of you have heard this but the Rev. Senator James Meeks and Rev. Ira Acree along with other Chicago area ministers are calling for Chicago Public School (CPS) students to stay home from school on the first day of school (September 2). The reasoning behind this is the deplorable condition of many CPS schools. He is wondering why some school districts in Illinois get more money to spend per student than others. Some school districts receive $18,000 oer student whereas some get 1/2 of that. Well, of course there are many critics to this, but I ask if no one is trying to invoke a change, when will they? Are we supposed to sit here and wait for someone to do something?


Now, having said that, I was watching Oprah today and there was a show about the state of the public school system in America. (I know the show was a rerun, but the information is still relevant.) There were two young guys from the D.C. area who were disgusted with the condition of their school. They took pictures and somehow Anderson Cooper did a special and the school was featured on it. Now this school was about 15 minutes from the Capitol Building and looked wonderful on the outside. When you got to the inside of the school, it was horrible. Shortly after that show, the school district approved money to make repairs to the school.

Now back to this school boycott, why is it that people want children in schools that aren't working? Also, why send the child to school and they aren't going to do their best? I know people believe children learn at various rates (I don't argue with that), but how can a child learn if they don't bring materials to and from school? I don't get it. All of these school officials and some of the politicians are fighting for these children to go to school, but make it a place that is inviting for the children.

Allow me to paint a picture for you, you need to use the restroom (really bad) and you go to and their is no toilet tissue, what do you do? Or, there is toilet tissue but you don't have any soap or hot water to wash your hands. Can you imagine the fecal matter you are now carrying around? Or let's just assume the toilet tissue, soap and hot water works but the restroom is disgusting. There are feces on the toilet (that seems like it's been there for a while) and tissue/paper all over the floor. Do you still want to go to this school?

Ok, we are out of the restrooms and we are now entering the classroom. There might be new desks or some that are decent. If you don't have any decent desk, be glad you have enough for everyone to sit in. As soon as you enter the classroom, your teacher has to assist with clearing the hall. This may take up to 5 minutes. Once this is accomplished, it's going to take another 5 minutes to ge the class under control. Once the class is under control, you might have to figure out how to regulate the temperature in the class. It may be too hot/cold. If it is too hot, their is not an air conditioner to turn on to cool off the room. If it is too cold, you can't adjust the heat. Now how are you supposed to work under those conditions?

Let's just assume that the temperature is just fine in the classroom and the desks are brand new and shiny, however, there is a problem with rodents and roaches. I mean the roaches and mice come out like they are trying to learn something. Maybe the teachers should teach to the roaches and mice, they're always there.

I think America has misplaced values. We pay athletes millions of dollars and many of them are uneducated. If we are taught in school that education is the way to go and it will pay off in the end, how true is this for all? I mean, why would a child want to go to school to better him/herself and they can live off a pipe dream of becoming an athlete of musician. If we reall want children to buy into this education dream, we have to make it better for all. We can't keep separating schools based upon the haves and have-nots. I think children in urban and rural areas suffer the most when it comes to education.

I also think educators need to be paid a fair sarting wage. I think the minimum starting pay should be at least $75K. Now, I know some people may not agree, but allow me to pick up my brush again: Remember when I told you about the restrooms, rodents, etc.? Most often than not, the educator has to or chooses to provide these things for their students. God forbid if there is a female educator, because she will provide personal products for the young ladies. Sometimes these young girls don't have the means to get these items or they don't keep any in their lockers.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the cafeteria. Most of the time the food is not worth eating. It is not quality, wholesome food. The fruit/veggies leaves much to be desired. If you want a salad, it's iceberg lettuce, a cucumber and tomato. I know many teachers often bring snack for their students because the food in the cafeteria is not good or they have run out of food. So when you find and educator who says he/she is not compensated fairly, they aren't lying. I mean in what other profession do you know of that employees have to provide the majority/all of their materials/supplies to get their job done? I mean, most offices provide ink pens, staplers, computers, printers, ink, fax machines and things of that nature to perform the necessary task.

I guess America is too busy trying to fight battles that doesn't concern US and we can't even take care of our own. The sad reality to all of this is, the majority of the people who make the decisions regarding school funding either don't have children in school, their children are in private schools, or they don't have children. It is time for America to place a value on education and not entertainment.

2 comments:

PureCostumes.com said...

I totally agreed and feel strongly with what you are saying

A W. Bolden said...

fd,

I am in agreement. This is a common condition of the schools in African American communities across America. When people were outraged that children in Detroit public schools were asked to bring toiletries, a well known radio talk show host fielded calls on the subject. Everyone was outraged. Of course, we know that this is SOAP (Standard Operating Administrative Procedure). If you have taught in a neighborhood, citywide, general enrollment school, you have experienced this many times over.

In one of my previous schools, I walked into the men's faculty bathroom. As I was entering, a student was leaving. I quickly called another male teacher (as a witness that I didn't take that student in the bathroom). The student used the staff bathroom because he claimed there was no soap or toilet paper in the boys bathroom. Point well taken. This is an issue. Someone has told these children that it is OK to use the staff bathrooms. Some have probably escorted students into the bathroom.

Now the students use the staff bathrooms without an escorted. This is in conjunction with staff who purchases lunch for students in non sponsored activities; pass contraband and cell phones into the school and return those items to the student after the student is scanned and searched at the front door. What type of environment are we creating as adults?

We do need to get these items for the students so they don't wander into the staff bathrooms without regard and respect for generational boundaries.

And to our female staff members - I don't need to see another breast tattoo. If I can see it, so can another male student. What kind of message are you sending? I should not know about a tattoo on the breast or the small of the back. These tattoos are now plentiful on the female students.

Again, I am anti-tattoo for children. Grownups, I do care what you tattoo - I just don't care to know that you have them in private areas. I'm sure the children are inspired by the artwork in your "private galleries".

Male staff members: Tuck in the shirts except on school spirit days. Pull up the pants. Use a belt. If we don't practice it how can we preach it?

To both: Don't allow these children to speak to you as a peer. Do not allow them to compliment you as if they are trying to date you. "Girl, if you were two years older, I'd . . ", "Ms. Jackson, you're so fine, I'm really feeling you". Don't give in nor contribute to these illicit comments. It is dangerous!

So now some of the parents have crossed state lines to get their minor children tattooed. These same tattooed children with expensive haircuts, extension braids, expensive web-ready PDA's, iPhones, iPods, Sony PSPs and cell phones, and automobiles for some reason do not pay their school fees or have the necessary school supplies.

My point: If we need to supply toilet paper and sanitary items, there is plenty of misdirected money available.