Impact of good schools

Radio Commentary

Americans believe high-quality public schools help build stronger families and improve local economics.
That was the finding of a poll commissioned by the Public Education Network.
Asked to cite the benefits of good public education for a community, 24 percent said good schools help build stronger families, making that the top response.
The second impact cited, with 20 percent support of respondents, was that high-quality public schools improve the local economy by attracting businesses.
The third greatest impact, cited by 15 percent of those who responded, was that good schools lower crime rates. 

Next came creating community pride, instilling civic values, boosting property values, and, most tellingly, “all of the above.”

Among parents of children 18 years or younger, 88 percent said that having good public schools in their community was important. 

Of those without children, 84 percent still shared that belief.

It is heartening to know that members of the public, by such overwhelming numbers, consider high-quality schools so vital. Americans clearly recognize the contributions of our schools to our communities and our society.

Empowerment

Radio Commentary

Feeling safe helps children feel confident that they can meet new people, try new tasks, and take on new responsibilities.

As children grow, they also need time to explore their own power and abilities. This means parents need to let go of some control and help their children take “healthy risks.”

How do parents help their children learn what it means to be more self-sufficient? Think about these questions:

How do your children work through their fears or doubts? How often do you do things with your children rather than for them?

What do your children do that makes you laugh or feel proud? Do they know it?

To help empower your children, tell them often that you appreciate what they do around the house, at school, and for friends.

When your children tell you about problems, confirm their feelings and help them think through solutions.

Encourage children to take new roles at school or try new activities that will be enjoyable but not stressful.

Let children take full responsibility for some chores. When you do your own chores, do them with good cheer even if they aren’t fun. Your children will learn from your example.

Education in our community

Radio Commentary

         America’s schools are teaching young people how to succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.  
        They are helping young people look beyond the problems and find new opportunities.
The world is different, and so are our schools. In fact, schools are being transformed in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.  
Many new techniques and new tools, like video-streaming, tablet computers, and other technology, are changing the way educators teach and students learn.
This is important if we are to compete in a global economy by using up-to-date tools to conquer modern challenges.
While schools are changing, community support and parental involvement remain key to the success of today’s students.
This is because America’s schools are everybody’s business. Their success is our nation’s best weapon against all future threats, be they economic, social, military, or strategic.
Take some time to visit a local school. See what’s going on.  
Volunteer to help.  
There’s no doubt that the future of our democracy and the health of our economy depend on what is happening in today’s classrooms.  
Your support and assistance will make a tremendous difference.

Let’s all resolve to help.

Volunteer code

Radio Commentary

            Volunteers make a huge difference in our public schools. 

             If done correctly, volunteering can provide invaluable help for students who are struggling. It can provide an extra set of hands, eyes, and ears to teachers who are working hard to meet the needs of all students.

            To help volunteers do their job even better, the state PTA created a code of ethics that includes the following items:

•  While I may lack assets my co-workers have, I will not let this make me feel inadequate, and will still help develop good teamwork. My help is valued and important.

•  I will find out the best way to serve the activity for which I’ve volunteered, and will offer as much as I can give, but not more. 

•  I must live up to my promise, and therefore will be careful that my agreement is so simple and clear it cannot be misunderstood.

•  I will work with a professional attitude because I have an obligation to my task, to those who direct it, to my colleagues, to the students for whom it is done, and to the public.

            These items are good practices for all volunteers to keep in mind as they strive to make a difference for children.

And that, of course, is the bottom line for all of us.

Joyful child advice

Radio Commentary

The Joyful Child Foundation provides important safety advice for young children. It’s a good idea for parents to go over these items with young members of the family.

The foundation’s advice includes:

•   Big people should never ask you to go with them without letting you ask your parents if it’s okay.

•   Big people should not look at you without your clothes unless your parents say it’s okay, like at the doctor’s office.

•   Big people should not tickle or touch your body’s private parts — the places covered by a bathing suit or underwear.

•   Big people should not tell you to keep secrets or say they will hurt you or anyone else if you tell.

•   Big people should not ask you to help them find things like lost pets. They should get help from other big people.

•   Big people should not take your picture or give you presents without asking for your parent’s permission

•   If anyone makes you feel scared or hurts you, YELL, SCREAM, RUN and TELL a grown-up you trust — a parent, teacher or principal.

This advice is important for every child. It can provide peace of mind for all involved if children are well-versed in these concepts.

Teen partying

Radio Commentary

Where there are teenagers, there will be parties, and holidays are often a likely time for these to occur.  

If your teenager is attending a party, here are some key points to consider:

Know where your teenager will be. Get the name, address, and phone number of the host. If the party's location changes, have your teen let you know the new location.

Contact the parents of the party-giver to verify the party location, offer your help, and make sure that an adult will be present. You’ll also want to confirm that alcohol and other drugs will not be allowed.

Transportation to and from the party should also be discussed. 

Let your teen know that you or a specific person can be called on for a ride home, no questions asked.

Discussing possible scenarios gives teens a good idea about how to respond in a variety of situations.

Another important point to consider — curfew. Let your teen know when to be home. Stay up or have your teen wake you when he or she gets back. You may find it’s a good time to ask how the evening went.

Sleeping over at the location of the party may also be appropriate, but talk to your teen and the host's parents ahead of time.

Communication is essential. Build a sense of trust with your teen and you're more likely to get honest information.  

Fellowship of humans

Radio Commentary

        The 25 lessons for life written by Marian Wright Edelman could be a syllabus for everyone’s schooling.
As president of the Children’s Defense Fund, she wrote the book for her own children, but they truly stand the test of time for all.
One lesson, for example, cuts to the heart of many of our nation’s problems.  
She writes: “Remember, and help America remember, that the fellowship of human beings is more important than the fellowship of race and class and gender in a democratic society.”
She writes to her children: “Be decent and fair and insist that others be so in your presence.”
She asks how long our nation will take before it understands, that its ability to compete and lead in the world is bound as tightly to its poor and nonwhite children, as it is to its white and privileged ones.
When it comes to building a decent and just America for all our children, she says:  
“We are not all equally guilty, but we are all equally responsible.” 

Certainly these are important words for all children to hear and absorb, and important thoughts for the adults who impart this powerful message.

Find the positive

Radio Commentary

Negativity appears everywhere in media reports, because conflict makes news. 

Violence and negativity also appear in movies, games, and music videos, mostly because the manufacturers consider it entertaining — and because they are rewarded financially by producing this sort of content.

This negative bombardment can give a false impression to young people that the world around them is not very positive. 

For this reason, it’s a good idea to find time to talk with children about good things.

Focus especially on what is positive in their neighborhood and their school.   

Positive stories surround us if we make a point of looking for them – neighbors who’ve helped neighbors, people with worthy causes, and so forth.

It is also very clear from the research that developing a positive attitude in school-age children is important to success in the classroom. 

In fact, hearing positive news can help your child feel good about school in general and schoolwork in particular.

Make it a special point to share your enthusiasm about students who help out and make a difference in the community.  

By holding up those young people as a model, your children may then strive to be one of them.

That’s how the chain of compassion begins, and that’s how we can help pass it along for future generations.