( If you read only one thing, check the very last link and the last line in that article).
The Dean of Students at an elementary school was beaten because she would not release a report card to a parent who came in earlier than what her appointment had been scheduled for. Mind you, I’m not defending the predator, but knowing the neighborhood it occurred in, one should be grateful a parent came in at all. It’s not like the teacher had to pulled out of class at this time to meet with the parent.
The attitude of intolerance comes from high up in administration and filters its way down. The result is violence.
Last week I reported how 30 students were beaten in a racial attack, and the foolish responses of the school district. There is an excellent article in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer detailing the events leading up to the most recent violence. It demonstrates how the children are so right when they say adults let us down. Adults did let the children down. We continue to do so. We place the school ahead of the needs of the child. This is evidenced by how the Asian children were treated in Philadelphia.
At report card conferences this week I noted how several of my students violently lost their father last year, and also a classmate. Does the school district reach out to these children to promote a healthy recovery? You can argue that’s not the school district’s job. Dr. Ackerman has made that argument. Feeding them breakfast is not our job and we do that now. Dr. Joseph Marshall once said something to the effect of, you can’t get the academics in until you get the emotions get out.
Violence is the wrong to get that violence out. Prevention is the only solution and the School District of Philadelphia has proven history of not being interested.
The second article in today’s paper demonstrates how the School District of Philadelphia can find the bright side in everything. It’s a must read, especially the last line. http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/79667417.html?cmpid=15585797
