There's a reason that the Chinese have a curse that says "May you live in interesting times."
We are having interesting times in my community right now and I don't like it. I want it to go away and stop harshing my mellow.
Here's the deal:
School board and teacher's union cannot agree on a contract. Board meeting is 4/15 (as in two days from now) and based on the probable outcome of that meeting, the teachers are going to strike.
Now, I could go on a whole rant about how California took 60% of its budget cuts from the educational system (yeah, thanks, Ahhhnold) which is why we all find ourselves in this situation and I could explain which side I think is right in the local fight and why, but that's not really the biggest problem I have.
The biggest problem I have is that some of the parents at my son's school decided that the best way for them to protest the impending strike was to keep their kids home from school today. Well, except for those who dressed their kids up in t-shirts sporting slogans, handed 'em signs and parked 'em on the sidewalk in front of the school.
I realize that everyone is frustrated and it probably seemed like the best way to protest the problem, but I just think it's a big mistake. I think the kids ought to be left out of this - it's a problem for the grown ups (well, supposedly we're all grown ups) to solve.
The kids ought to be in school taking advantage of whatever time they have left this year with their actual teachers.
Because I really enjoyed having to 'splain to my kid today why he had to go to school when some of his friends were getting a freebie day off by "going on strike."
Maybe it's just me, but I think it's wrong to use our children as political bargaining chips regardless of which side of the issue we are on as adults.
KJ
P.S. This blog will return to its normal sparkley and glittery format tomorrow :-)
9 comments:
i absolutely agree. it's juvenile and cowardly. and it baffles me no end how lawmakers--federal on down--can think that this country can maintain any kind of economic foothold in the world when they consistently undercut education. this disdain for knowledge and critical thinking has become pervasive in our culture.
and thanks for teaching me "harshing my mellow." can't wait to use that.
you are absolutely, positively right... and i am so proud of you for following your beliefs and not caving in to the pressure of what other parents are doing... the kids should be left out of it... you are getting a very heartfelt standing ovation from me - great job!
our teachers are working without a contract too... and our new governor is pulling a lot of things that i don't think anyone expected... they aren't allowed to strike here... but i feel for them...
Amen to that sister!!
i think there is something wrong with this week..lots of people are experiencing discombobulations..
Hmmm, cuts to education hurt children...keeping them out of school in protest doesn't?? I'm with you! My district finally (amazingly) just agreed to a contract after a looong time without one. I think we're lucky to just get off with 5 furlough days.
I agree completely with you. The children affected by this do not have the sophistication to understand the political situation. Just leave them out of it. Let them be children for the very few years that they have to be children. Off my soap bo now.
I agree with you. It is an adult dispute and the kids should be left out of it and not used as bargaining tools. Those chats of how life isn't fair because the other kids have it so much better are always so fun, aren't they?
I have never heard the term "stop harshing my mellow" before. I like it. I am going to co-op that, if you don't mind.
I agree with you on leaving the kids out. What sort of message are those parents sending to them? They become pawns and that isn't right. The adults need to make this work, and you are disenfranchising an entire generation of students by these actions. They will most certainly not forget it.
Our own district voted down yet another referendum. This one would not have raised taxes either. Now they have to cut another $2.9 mil from the budget (they cut $5 mil from the budget last fall). That means another 25 teachers will get cut, along with all elementary school band and chorus and orchestra, and other things.
I believe every child deserves a quality education. I find it apalling that we cannot give it to them. I support whatever the referendum would have cost. And I choose to pay more to send my kids to a private school even though my taxes pay for a quality public education. Sorry. More of a rant here. The topic of education touched a nerve. I am going to be thinking positive thoughts your way, KJ!
Enjoy the day! Erin
I agree kids should be left out. My husband is a teacher, and I get first hand the hardships. But I also get first hand how the unions work as well. Quite a lot, the unions refuse to work with the district: it's either all or nothing. In these times, you can't have it all.
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