PUBLIC EDUCATION

By Diane Forrest

Today is a day that has been set aside to support public education.  It is not an official day as of yet, but plans are in the works to make it a national day.  According to http://www.change.org/petitions/officially-declare-july-30th-national-support-public-education-day, the reason this day was picked was because Christopher Janotta, petition organizer, wanted to explain the choice of July 30th for this day, a date that may seem unusual to some because it falls in the summer when most schools are not in attendance. However, part of the problem with our public education system is just that: out of sight, out of mind. If students aren't in school, there is no point worrying about it, right? This is a mindset we must fight to overcome. The fight to improve public education shouldn't take a summer break, just as, contrary to popular belief; many teachers don't take a summer break. In fact, lawmakers often use the times when teachers and the public aren't focusing on education (holiday breaks, for example) to slide legislation by while nobody is paying attention.

The petition states that our education system is mired in a national crisis. The only solutions offered thus far by those making the decisions have penalized teachers, students, and society. Firing teachers, cutting school budgets, creating larger class sizes for students, and putting other punitive measures into effect is not the answer. Instead, success must be based on making education the number one priority, creating a culture of respect for education and teachers, and by realizing that as society has evolved, so must the education system.

If appropriate funding for our schools is not provided, if reforms are based on political sound bites rather than on solid research, and if teachers are left out of the decision making process while their careers are held hostage by factors over which they have little control, our public education system will surely fail. On the other hand, through the use of American ingenuity--upon which our nation was built--we can create a nation of future leaders that will bring this country to levels of prosperity never seen before.

Much as our founding fathers did when the time was right, we must come together as Americans--not Democrats or Republicans, unionized workers or non-unionized workers, those in office or those seeking office--but as Americans to do what is right for America. If our founding fathers had merely accepted things as they were and tried living under the tyranny of a king while expecting society to adjust, the great American experiment of democracy would never have come to fruition. Had those who started the civil rights movement simply shrugged their shoulders and said, "The government says this is the right way to do things, so what can we do?" President Obama would not currently be sitting at the helm in a position to lead our country back to prosperity.

America can no longer accept what is happening with its education system. When something is inherently wrong, it must be corrected by allowing all parties to come together to do what is right. Please help us make this happen by declaring July 30th National Support Public Education Day and by supporting our efforts to make America's public education system meet the real needs of every child no matter where he or she might live or what his or her circumstances might be.

To help make this day a reality, and show your support for public education, click on this site, and sign the petition. 

 http://www.change.org/petitions/officially-declare-july-30th-national-support-public-education-day

[Photos from Google] 

Celebrating Read Across America

By Terry Orr

Prof. A.C. Grayling, in a review of A History of Reading by Alberto Manguel had said, "To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries." So true! Reading is really like taking a flight to great heights in pursuit of knowledge. It's a journey towards enlightenment.

The NEA Read Across America is celebrated on Dr. Seuss birthday.  We at Keeping it Simple believe that reading is so important that are dedicating two articles today on this subject. Reading is the most important life skill - along with writing and speaking.

“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.” ― William Styron, Conversations with William Styron

 

Why Reading is the Most Important Thing You Will Ever Do  

·         Words are our everyday tools. You use words in everything.

·         Vocabulary. Many of today's teenagers think vocabulary isn't important

·         Information. Reading gives you information.

·         Imagination. Reading feeds your imagination.

·         Inspiration

The art of reading is in great part that of acquiring a better understanding of life from one’s encounter with it in a book.  | André Maurois

Importance of reading aloud:

·         Reading aloud helps children acquire early language skills.

·         Reading aloud helps children develop positive associations with books and reading.

·         Reading aloud helps children build a stronger foundation for school success.

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul.” ― Joyce Carol Oates

Blending in nonfiction reading and discussion with your family each day will help broaden their knowledge.

6 ways to spark your child's nonfiction reading and writing:

·         Pursue the passion: Get books that encourage your child’s interests.

·         More is more: Offer lots of nonfiction reading material – from books and magazines to newspapers and atlases.

·         Be the bookworm: Read a broad range of fiction and nonfiction, and talk about what you read.

·         Reality check: Talk about connections between what your child is reading and events in the news.

·         Reasons to write: Suggest new writing projects — from letters to grandma, to keeping a diary, to penning a play for the neighborhood kids.

·         Get the lowdown: Ask your child's teacher if your child’s reading list includes any nonfiction texts. If not, why not?

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” ― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ― Charles William Eliot

“Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.” ― Voltaire

 

Read Across America Poem

You're never too old, too wacky, too wild,

To pick up a book and read with a child.

You're never too busy, too cool, or too hot,

To pick up a book and share what you've got.

In schools and communities,

Let's gather around,

Let's pick up a book,

Let's pass it around.

There are kids all around you,

Kids who will need

Someone to hug,

Someone to read.

Come join us on March 2nd

In your own special way

And make this America's Read to Kids Day.

“It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between.” ― C.S. Lewis

References and Links:

http://voices.yahoo.com/why-reading-most-important-thing-will-ever-1045275.html

http://inspirationboost.com/8-reasons-why-reading-is-so-important

http://lifedev.net/2009/06/reading-makes-you-better/

http://www.homework-help-secrets.com/importance-of-reading.html 

http://childrens-books.lovetoknow.com/Why_Is_Reading_Important

http://www.greatschools.org/reading/7071-non-fiction-why-its-important.gs?page=all#sthash.SlucdfQ2.dpuf
http://www.reachoutandread.org/why-we-work/importance-of-reading-aloud/

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/why-is-reading-important.html

http://wanttoknowit.com/why-is-reading-important/

[All images from Google]

National Missing Children Day

Can you imagine having one of your children missing? It is every parent's nightmare, yet every day, more children disappear without a trace.

May 25 is National Missing Children's Day

It's a reminder for all parents, guardians, teachers and other role models to make child safety a priority.

In honor of National Missing Children's Day, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children encourages you to take 25 minutes to help make children safer.

  

  25 ways to make kids safer

At Home

1. Teach your children their full names, address, and home telephone number. Make sure they know your full name.
   
2. Make sure your children know how to reach you at work or on your cell phone.
   
3. Teach your children how and when to use 911 and make sure your children have a trusted adult to call if they're scared or have an emergency.
   
4. Instruct children to keep the door locked and not to open the door to talk to anyone when they are home alone. Set rules with your children about having visitors over when you're not home and how to answer the telephone.
   
5. Choose babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends, and neighbors. Once you have chosen the caregiver, drop in unexpectedly to see how your children are doing. Ask children how the experience with the caregiver was and listen carefully to their responses.
   

On the Net

1. Learn about the Internet. The more you know about how the Web works, the better prepared you are to teach your children about potential risks. Visit www.NetSmartz.org for more information about Internet safety.
   
2. Place the family computer in a common area, rather than a child's bedroom. Also, monitor their time spent online and the websites they've visited and establish rules for Internet use.
   
3. Know what other access your child may have to the Internet at school, libraries, or friends' homes.
   
4. Use privacy settings on social networking sites to limit contact with unknown users and make sure screen names don't reveal too much about your children.
   
5. Encourage your children to tell you if anything they encounter online makes them feel sad, scared, or confused.
   
6. Caution children not to post revealing information or inappropriate photos of themselves or their friends online.
   

At School

1. Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they're being followed or need help. If your children ride a bus, visit the bus stop with them to make sure they know which bus to take.
   
2. Remind kids to take a friend whenever they walk or bike to school. Remind them to stay with a group if they're waiting at the bus stop.
   
3. Caution children never to accept a ride from anyone unless you have told them it is OK to do so in each instance.
   

Out and About

1. Take your children on a walking tour of the neighborhood and tell them whose homes they may visit without you.
   
2. Remind your children it's OK to say NO to anything that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused and teach your children to tell you if anything or anyone makes them feel this way.
   
3. Teach your children to ask permission before leaving home.
   
4. Remind your children not to walk or play alone outside.
   
5. Teach your children to never approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult.
   
6. Practice "what if" situations and ask your children how they would respond. "What if you fell off your bike and you needed help? Who would you ask?"
   
7. Teach your children to check in with you if there is a change of plans.
   
8. During family outings, establish a central, easy-to-locate spot to meet for check-ins or should you get separated.
   
9. Teach your children how to locate help at theme parks, sports stadiums, shopping malls, and other public places. Also, identify those people who they can ask for help, such as uniformed law enforcement, security guards and store clerks with nametags.
   
10. Help your children learn to recognize and avoid potential risks, so that they can deal with them if they happen.
    
11. Teach your children that if anyone tries to grab them, they should make a scene and make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is a private, non-profit organization established in 1984 by the United States Congress.



Primarily funded by the Justice Department, the NCMEC acts as an information clearinghouse and resource for parents, children, law enforcement agencies, schools, and communities to assist in locating missing children and to raise public awareness about ways to prevent child abduction, child sexual abuse and child pornography. John Walsh, Noreen Gosch, and others advocated establishing the center as a result of frustration stemming from a lack of resources and coordination between law enforcement and other government agencies.



The Center provides information to help locate children reported missing (by parental abduction, child abduction, or running away from home) and to assist physically and sexually abused children. In this resource capacity, the NCMEC distributes photographs of missing children and accepts tips and information from the public. It also coordinates these activities with numerous state and federal law enforcement agencies.



http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/216857.pdf Federal Resources on

Missing and Exploited Children - A Directory for Law Enforcement and Other Public and Private Agencies