To be, or not to be...SMART

What better way to start off my first blog in September then talking about back-to-school? I remember my first day at Christopher Columbus HS in the Bronx. It was the first time I took the train to school. Actually, it was the first time I took the train anywhere! I was so excited. My nerves were shaking but it was a sense of freedom. 

I felt like I had woken up from a fairy tale of toys and candy because I was in high school now. I was grown. All I had to worry about was looking cool, making new friends and fitting in-But why wasn't I worried about the classes I was about to embark? Or perhaps what kind of tutoring I may have needed or the extracurricular activities that the school had to offer? Where were my priorities? I reflect on those days and realize that I was no where near the only one with screwed up priorities at that time.

With all the back-to-school ad's on our television sets and newspapers regarding hot fashion, trends and styles, I couldn't help but wonder why we focus so much on how the kids are dressing, rather then, how the kids are learning. What I mean is, wouldn't it be cool to have back-to-school ad's about upcoming spelling bee's, talent shows, and chest competitions? Oh, and when I say chest competitions, I don't mean plastic surgeries as sweet sixteen gifts for girl-to-girl titty competitions-That's a whole other blog. 

Like I was saying, wouldn't it be cool to have back-to-school TV and newspaper ad's about the best science project or best home-made robot? Some of these kids I see in New York are walking around with Coach back packs and Coach sneakers but can't even spell "Coach." Something is not right! Look, I once heard through the grapevine that the American education system is failing and our children are dumb-asses compared to countries like Japan, Germany and France. So I decided to do a little research. After all, this IS the USA!

According to some facts from "MAKING SCHOOLS WORK" by William G. OuchiIn: 

1. New York City, only had 29.5 percent of public school eighth graders pass the state English test in 2002. Students in the upstate cities of Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo are doing even worse.[p. 7]

2. Philadelphia, more than half the students cannot pass basic reading and math tests. Governor Mark S. Schweiker has assumed control of the Philadelphia school district and hired several private firms to manage the system. [p. 7]

3. Our nation has a persistent gap in educational attainment among races. While 93 percent of white students graduate from high school, only 63 percent of Hispanics and 87 percent of blacks do so. [pp. 7-8] (I'm Puerto-Rican. How could I not highlight this section?)

4. On average, school districts across the nation report that 88 percent of first graders eventually graduate from high school. However, for large urban districts, the figure is typically a good deal lower. For example, the graduation rates are 66.4 percent in Seattle, 63 percent in Edmonton, 55.5 percent in New York City, 51.8 percent in Los Angeles, 44.8 percent in Houston, and 41.3 percent in Chicago. [p. 42]

5. According to the U.S. Education Department in 2002, 8,652 public schools — 9 percent of the total — failed to meet required learning standards. Under the No Child Left Behind Law established that year students at the failing schools were entitled to transfer to other public schools of their choice, with the district paying for their transportation. Many school districts were scrambling to comply and place all the students who wished to transfer. [p. 181] (GOOD GOING, PRESIDENT BUSH. Brilliant plan! Not only do our kids get to fail in their first choice of public school but they get to fail in another public school, which by the way, also has a failing system. The "F" word has found new meaning.)

THIS IS THE USA,  PEOPLE! We should be right up there with these other countries. I mean, we do have the best military at this time, so why not have the best educational system as well? IT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT OUR EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND BANKING SYSTEMS ALL SHARE A COMMON DENOMINATOR: FAILURE. But I digress. The  question is, do you want your kids to enjoy learning? Do you want them to have a new-found love for reading, writing and arithmetic? If the answer is "yes" then it starts with you. After all, you are their most important teacher.  

Honestly speaking, if it weren't for my parents, I wouldn't have been intrigued about learning things that school didn't have to offer. For example, the true history behind Christopher Columbus' voyage to "Boriken," or the "land of the the brave people." Which later became Puerto Rico. We were taught that he "discovered" the island. Helloooo! We were already there numb-nuts! Geez. Anyways, I recently learned that many of the Taino people gather on Columbus Day to remember their ancestors. If it weren't for my folks, I would have never become curious about my family history, America's history, and the world's history, which by the way, helped enormously in regards to writing my poetry.

So here's to you, parents! A few ways to help your children build a more solid foundation for better learning: 

1.  ROUTINE: Take about 10 minutes to read to your children every day. Current events, stories, cereal box, who cares! Just read! Most importantly, take turns.

2.  LET ME COUNT THE WAYS: When traveling with your little ones, let them count how many trees they see. Ask how many red cars can you find? How many brown dogs can they spot. Before you know it, they are counting to 1,000. If traveling with teens, enlighten them with facts. If you smelled car smog in the air, give them knowledge about today's oil crisis and environment and don't forget to ask what do they know about it.

3. CHIT CHAT: Speak to your children. What's new in school? What happened in school? Keep in mind, they are kids, you are an adult, so they interpret things and relate things differently. Allow them to express themselves about what happened in school, don't interrupt, and keep asking more questions! For example, what happened at recess, or, are there any upcoming plays, events or competitions.

4.  SAY WHAT? Don't let their school papers be strangers to you. Be intrigued, read what they have brought home. Ask questions!

5. TOOLS: Keep books, magazines, newspapers and printouts accessible throughout your home.

6.  FAMILY TIME: Board games can help children interact better. With games like "Pictionary" they have to read the card then draw out the subject. Learning is awesome when you put it this way!

7.  NO NAME CALLING: I can't stress this enough in New York. I've seen parents actually call their children "stupid" in front of people in the streets. If they are "stupid" and YOU are raising them, what does that make you? A dumb-ass! This hurts a child's morale and self-esteem. Be nice.

8.   DUST YOURSELF OFF, TRY AGAIN: Encourage them. Laugh at the errors or mistakes and correct them with love. Support them when they have tried but failed. It's okay. God knows we screwed up a few times ;o)

9.   SIMILARITIES: When they learn something new, make sure you compare it to something they've learned in the past. Remember 2 apples plus 2 apples equaled 4 apples? Now today, its 2 oranges plus 2 oranges equals 4 oranges. WOW!  It helps them remember. 

10. EVIL TV, INTERNET & CELL PHONES! Don't be silly. We can all agree that TV, the World Wide Web, and cell phones are in fact, the most convenient and amazing inventions ever! But, I have to say, it can relate negative messages to our youth. I mean, I am sooo sick of MTV or BET music videos featuring booty-shaking, titty-bouncing, weave tossing girls who really, at core, don't have high self-esteems. I mean, did I really want my nephew, or little cousins, to see Britney Spears and Madonna make-out? Girl, please! (or man)

I say this to show you that LIMITING TV, INTERNET & CELL PHONE use can actually benefit your children. With so much Internet bullying, pornography, and scams, our children are often helpless. Make sure they are watching something educational. Keep your parental controls up-to-date. And if you think that your teen is not on the phone showing naked pics of his/herself, talking sex, or engaging in inappropriate behavior, you better think again (yet, another topic to blog about.) I mean, with a failing education system, where ARE they spending their brain cells on? I heard through the grapevine, that teens are spending more and more time on looks then they are brains. And when I say brains...you know what...I'll leave that one alone! 

LET KIDS BE KIDS! They are the key to our future. The best way to teach, is to lead by example, read and relate. Get involved, 'cause God knows no one else will care for your children the way you would. Maybe a good ol' can of whoop ass would do the trick! LOL Just kidding!!!  Or am I? Hmmm.

Love & Light
Lissette-Lissette