One would like to think that we’ve evolved beyond the use of corporal punishment in our public schools but it appears that’s not entirely true. Even if teachers aren’t rapping on knuckles with wooden rulers, some are still using pain and humiliation in order to maintain order and instill discipline. Not surprisingly, some parents take offense at this.
Archive for the ‘Education’ Category
Teacher Tapes Student To Desk; Gets Off Scotch Free
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010Kids Banned From Playing In The Snow
Monday, December 6th, 2010
“I’m a trained risk assessor,” says one parent “and this is not a health and safety issue.” That’s the point of view most parents would take, I think. In fact, some pay a lot of money just so their kids can enjoy this activity. But what is this situation that is so dangerous that some schools in Scotland are banning it? Playing in the snow, of course, because snow is, well, wet and cold.
What Schools Must Have
Friday, December 3rd, 2010
As insane as it might seem, when times are tough, economically, it’s always education — the future of our society, our country, even our species — that seems to get cut first. School nurses get laid off, along with librarians and counselors. Art classes are pretty much gone, as are the band and orchestras of our youth. There’s no money for after school activities and lunches are made off-site and trucked in like military MREs. Now, however, a California court has ruled that there is one part of the school day that simply can’t be cut, regardless of how bad a fiscal crisis a school district is facing.
How Old For Violence?
Monday, November 29th, 2010
I’m pretty strict about not exposing my kids to any more violence than I absolutely have to. For us, that has meant that Disney films are for older kids and Harry Potter is right out. But how old do kids need to be before they can handle some violence? We’ve hit a situation that is testing our resolve to avoid what we think are inappropriate films. You see, as surprising as it might be, not everyone feels the same way we do.
Books in the Classroom: Text or Note?
Monday, November 15th, 2010
There’s nothing like curling up with a good book on a delightfully dreary fall day, watching the grey skies while keeping cozy warm by the fire. On the other hand, I love getting on the computer and catching up on the latest news or finding the answer to some question one of my kids asked. Luckily for me, I can choose either option — or, rather, I could if I had that kind of free time. But what if one had to choose? Many schools can’t afford both technology and textbooks, so which would teachers rather have?
Facebook for First Graders
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010
Facebook has become such an integral part of our culture that it is as familiar to the average person as the horseless carriage (cars) and the magic picture box (television). Of course, it is the younger generation that is primarily driving acceptance, but it is increasingly popular with seniors as well, as they discover how easy it is to keep in touch with family members living elsewhere. Even as it is becoming a way of life for teens and adults, however, what about the elementary school crowd?
Coming Together With Kids
Thursday, November 4th, 2010
Yesterday, I took a long lunch and joined more than a million others Downtown for a parade honoring the San Francisco Giants baseball team that beat the Texas Rangers to win the World Series. I wasn’t there alone, however; I, like many others, pulled my kids out of school to join the throngs of screaming fans. Now, why would I, one who is known for dismissing team sports, choose such an event over my kids’ education, especially since I value learning and knowledge as much as I shun sports?
Long Hair and Pre-School
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010
It’s clear that a child cannot possibly learn, let alone be a good catholic, if their hair is too long. I wouldn’t know, actually, being neither a good student nor a good catholic and, currently, having pretty long hair. But it seems that the lesson St. Dominic’s Pre-School wants to teach 4-year-old Jack Szablewski is that proper grooming, according to their standards, is more important than, say, helping the sick.
School Board Member Wants Students To Die
Wednesday, October 27th, 2010According to the Center for Public Education, school boards have one primary purpose
: “first and foremost school boards look out for students.” They do this, in part, by determining policies, selecting curriculum, and providing oversight and accountability for the schools in their districts. So the last thing you’d expect from a member of a school board is to publicly and openly encourage people — including students from Midland School District which he represents — to kill themselves. And yet, that’s what Clint McCance did.
Religion In Schools, Fingers In Ears
Monday, October 25th, 2010
A Facebook Friend posted just the other day that he was shocked that his daughter’s teacher had given the class a list of the five pillars of Islam as part of a unit on the Middle East. He felt that not only was this teaching the students about Islam but it was also teaching them how to convert. He believed this was an inappropriate violation of the doctrine of separation of church and state. To further complicate matters, the teacher had informed the students that she was a Muslim. So a call was made to the school principal and a meeting has been scheduled to discuss the matter.
Well, Rhonda Thurman, a member of the Hamilton County Board of Education in Tennessee, has a solution. If the teacher begins teaching the students about Islam or praying with them, my friend’s daughter and any other offended students can simply “put their fingers in their ears.” Yep, she actually said that.
; we earn a small referral fee from purchases made via links on this site.