Tag Archive for school

Burger Boy

All of us come in daily contact with the “little guys,” a low-paid workers among a sea of low-paid workers.  I’d like to honor those people today, on International Worker’s Day.  Let me introduce you to one of these people.  Let’s call him Sonny.

I wish they wouldn’t treat me like that.  I know I’m just a kid.  And my English ain’t too good.  But I try.  I don’t like how people look at me, like I ain’t worth much.  I don’t wanna be here. Nobody else will hire a kid who don’t know much yet.  I see my parents struggle.  I can’t ask them to give me no money for fun or school or nothin’ and I see how sometimes they don’t eat unless I bring some burgers home that woulda gone into the garbage anyways.  They say don’t take no handouts unless you at death’s door.  We been there twice I remember.  I’m gonna finish school.  Go to college.  Get a real job.  Make it so they don’t have to worry no more.  Then, when I go to Hamburger House, I’ll tip the guy and give him a high-five, ‘cuz I know why he’s there.

 

Next time you meet a “Sonny,” honor the work he does for you and the fellow human being that he is.

 

 

 

 

No Name-Calling?

We’re in the middle of “No Name-Calling Week”  (http://glsen.org/nonamecallingweek).  It’s an annual event carried on in schools, aimed at making life for students more livable and shutting up bullies, because there’s nothing they can think of saying.

This is a great idea.  How about if adults observe the week, too?  Imagine no name-calling at work or home, on the road or in bustling crowds, at sporting events or in the bars….

 

 

What Kind of People ARE They?!

Why kill children?  I know the Taliban wanted revenge and they believe they’re fighting a holy war.  What god might they be following who would approve of going room-to-room in a school to kill children of senior military officials and any other students who got in the way?  Certainly not the peace-loving Allah!  What did the youngsters, aged 6-18, do “wrong,” except be born into military families?  If the bombers and gunmen made their “point,” why continue to endanger others by taking hostages and planting explosives around the perimeter of the school?  Yes, those IEDs did prevent outside help from Pakistani police and soldiers from coming to the rescue of the children; but how many more people will stumble on them and be killed?  That must be their plan.

What kind of people are these killers of more than a hundred innocents?  And how do we revoke their membership in the human race?

 

 

Anti-Anti?

It’s a little confusing, but it had to happen–pendulums being pendulums.  It seems that people are discovering that all those tax cuts and breaks for the wealthy are destroying their middle-class everyday services, such as police and fire protection, schools, and libraries.  They want those services and are willing to pay for them.

This is leading to a new attitude: anti-anti tax cuts.  It’s so serious in Kansas, a staunch Republican state, that people are saying they’re ready to vote in a Democrat for Governor so they have a chance at recovering the services they want and need.  Kansas farmers are really upset, but many other citizens are also watching their state go broke.  They see less and less money coming into the coffers while all the belts have been tightened so far they’re binding up people’s vital internal organs.

The anti-anti tax cut attitude is spreading.  It will be interesting to see how many of the 30 states currently with Republican governors stay Republican after the next election or if that party decides it would be wise to pull back on their current tax stance.

 

 

School Clothes Shopping Idea

School clothes–two more Back-to-School ideas that are earth-friendly:  Shop for school clothes made out of organic cotton or hemp. Look for recycled-plastic totes.  Shop at thrift stores, which have like-new and even new items people bought then discarded.

Leaf 6

[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

 

 

Bullies Provide a Service

Bullies are a good thing.  That’s what someone recently argued to me.  His reasoning was that he had taught his daughter to stand up to bullies, as should all parents, to get kids used to adult life in the workplace.  No matter where you work, he maintained, there will be bullies, and you need to be ready for them.  He thinks that schools shouldn’t be wasting their time punishing bullies or trying to stop them because school-aged bullies provide a service.

I thought this was an interesting take on the problem.  However, I can’t help but think that if young bullies are stopped now, they’ll never be a problem in the workplace once they grow up.  And more children will have a happier childhood.

What do you think?

School Boards, 9th Graders, & Sex

School boards can be so dumb!  If you’re not from California you may not have seen this on the news.  The Fremont, CA School Board has delayed the adoption of a 9th grade text that they’d previously approved of.  It’s a new health book, called Your Health Today.  What’s wrong?  Is it because it was difficult reading, having been written for college kids, not 9th graders?  No.  Is it because it’s too expensive?  Apparently not.

The problem is the sex education chapter.  It discusses pornography, bondage, prostitution, sex toys, and the like.  Didn’t anyone on the Board read the thing before deciding it was good for those young students?!  Mmmmmm…..

Anyway, I have a solution.  Keep the books and just tell the kids that they’re forbidden from reading that chapter.  And have the parents do the same thing.  After many years as a high school teacher and parent, I’m SURE that will work!

Oh, and tell the kids that other chapters are being considered for the ban, as well.  That way most of the kids will read most of the book and think they’re getting away with something.

More Down-to-Earth Back-to-School Ideas

Last Saturday I gave you a few ways to get the kids ready for school while being kind to the Earth.  Here are a few more: Shop for school clothes made out of organic cotton or hemp. Look for recycled-plastic totes.  Shop at thrift stores, which have like-new and even new items people bought then discarded.

Leaf 6

[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

 

 

Down-to-Earth Back-to-School Ideas

Here are two ideas that are economical for you and healthy for the earth:  Don’t toss last year’s backpack into the trash.  Cover spots with patches depicting music groups, sports stars, whatever interests your child.  Also, together with your child, choose colorful cloth and make a simple reusable lunch bag that matches the backpack.

Leaf 6

[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

 

 

America’s Shame

That’s what President Obama calls it, and I agree.  He also pointed out that “we’re the only developed country on earth where this happens.”  And it happens once a week!

It’s well past time to put aside politics and debates over Constitutional rights and come together–reason and act together–to stop school shootings!