Common Schools for Common People regardles of Common Sense

Where does it all end. If we start offering vouchers for people who choose to send their children to private schools where will it all end. If you want to send your child to a private school great, but it doesn't mean you get to take out your money from the fund balance that has built this great nation we live in. Let's seriously think about this.


There are roads in the state of NC that I will never drive on. Should I get a voucher for this? Thank God I have never been unemployed, should I ask for a voucher for my tax dollars that go to that? I'm lucky enough to have a job that gives me good medical benefits, should I get a voucher for my tax dollars that go to people who are medicaid or medicare, what a travesty that would be. Most of you that know me know I haven't missed many meals. My income allows me to put food on the table for my family, should I ask my government for a voucher because I don't use food stamps? I'll probably never see social security, should I ask for my voucher now? How about those disabled veterans, shouldn't I get my money back from them? I never served in the armed forces. Oh yeah and those people that are fighting that war overseas, protecting the very freedom that allows me some very important civil rights formed from our U.S. constitution, I don't think it's necessary for you to be there, I'll be waiting on my voucher. My house has a mortgage and I could use some of those tax dollars that go to public housing to help me out with that, can someone please get on this soon.


Why do some people now think because they don't go to public school they should get their tax money back! Seriously people, we have to get heads on straight, where does it all end?


The American System of schooling is the greatest system in the entire world. No where else on the face of this planet is there a system that can boast of what we do. We take every child, yes EVERY child. Regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or disability. If your homeless you go to school, your parents incarcerated come on in. You think you might drop out, let's see how we can get you to graduate. Severe learning disability, we'll find a way to help you make it. Sensory impairment, we have a teacher for you too. For those that are severely and profoundly disabled, guess what, not only will we admit you in our schools here in America, but we'll let you start at age three, and hang around until your 22nd birthday. Not only that, but if you qualify, we'll give you free lunch a breakfast as well. There's another secret, schools are full of these wonderful people called teachers. Most of them are legacies in the schools and communities they work in. No not all are perfect, but there are grown men and women around this world that tell stories about how their lives have been changed by these people. Oh wait one more thing, in most states they do it for very little money and very little gratitude from many stakeholders. Play sports, yeah we have them too. Like to work on cars, we can teach you a few things about that as well. Maybe you think you're not college bound, well after we try to talk you out of that for 13 years, we'll still find a way for you to be successful when you leave our free system of schools.


Several years ago a great man named Horace Mann had a great idea about how we could make this nation great. Providing a common school for common people. He believed proving this public system of school would unify our nation and make us stronger, this was in the 1830's. Interestingly enough Mann was a Republican. Look how far we've come!


We've gone from a belief of unification to one of separation. School vouchers weaken our nation. It creates a cast system. It further divides relationships between racial and socio-economic groups. It allows some schools to play by one set of rules and other schools to play by the real set of rules, similar to the way that Charter schools are functioning right now.


Some argue they want their children to go to a Christian school, well if we look at what the latest survey says 80% of people say they are Christian, so let's just put God back in schools, pray for the other 20% and be on with it. Sooner or later our kids will be exposed to people that don't have the same spiritual beliefs. isn't it ironic that Jesus walked the earth with the people that needed him the most, not the ones that felt they were righteous.


I love the fact that Horace Mann thought to use the word common schools for common people, and now here we are with no common sense!


Thank you and Good Night!

Dinner Guests

In Mathew, Mark and Luke there is a story of how Jesus walked up to Mathew and said two words, "Follow Me". Mathew reacted as any of us would if Jesus said "Follow Me" he got up and followed him. What he did next is what is most exciting, yet also what many of us fail to do. Mathew took the next step.

In many of these stories the next verse goes on to say that Mathew invited Jesus to dinner with other "tax collectors" some Bibles may say "other scum", or "other sinners." Mathew was a sinner, he associated with sinners, just like all of us. We are all sinners and we associate with other sinners. Mathew had the courage to follow Jesus like many of us have when he called us. But more importantly Mathew had the courage to invite him to dinner with his non-believing friends.

To put it into modern day terms ... Jesus walks up to a drug dealer on the street and says follow me. The drug dealer does, but that night the drug dealer brings Jesus to dinner with all his other drug dealing friends. He wants to share what he has just received with other sinners.

Mathew didn't wait until he got to know Jesus a little better, he didn't study his bible a little harder, he wasn't afraid of being made fun of by his friends, he didn't care if he was called a Jesus freak. He stepped to the front of the room, and introduced his honored guest. I pray that I would have this same boldness, and I pray that all of you will as well!

Who are you inviting to dinner?

Obama's Team Visits BHESA

REALLY? I'm still flabbergasted that President Obama selected a committee to study the status of the arts in education and the committee chose our school as one of the schools to visit. I don't pretend to think that this means we have arrived, but I have allowed myself, as you should too, to reflect on the journey we have had.

5 short years ago we set out on a journey to make our school rich with the arts. From the minute people stepped into our building I wanted them to know that there are exciting, enriching and engaging activities happening at our school. I believed that these three E's would lead us to our fourth E - Excellence! We are so close to that designation. I can feel it at the end of my finger tips and with just a little more stretching we will be able to hold it in the palm of our hands.

Yesterday's visit by Mrs. Goslins and her committee reaffirmed the great job our teachers, students, parents and leadership teams at all levels have been working very hard for. We have said that the arts will provide our students with an attitude about school that will change their outlook about themselves as a student throughout their young lives. We were right, listening to our students respond to the questions asked by White House Representatives we all have so very much to be proud of. Their answers could not be measured on bubble sheets or as a number printed on the front page of our newspaper. No... our success is in the attitude and belief that each of these children have a sense of pride, and ownership of their education, they love our school, they love their teachers, and they love each other. The arts culture has replaced the inept feelings our students used to have in the old fashion way school was being done.

Although not all of us had the opportunity to visit with Mrs. Goslins and her committee, I want you all to know that she was thoroughly impressed by our school, our students, our teachers, our community partners, and our central office team. She remarked to the students that she would loved to have gone to a school like ours when she was a child. Delayed flight scheduled prevented us from getting to all the rooms, and the script we had written was totally abandoned. Despite these circumstances the visit was a huge success and another jewel was added to the crown we all share!

Great Job BHESA and thank you for all you do!

Conversations with the Prince

Conversations with the Prince

Grandparents Week

In sticking with tradition I wanted to write this week about my Grandfather. Why you ask? Every school year at BHESA we recognize our Grandparents by having our students bring in the grandparents for breakfast, they then visit our book fair, and visit classrooms. Today was no different. However, I did get to share with them the exciting news about our 100 year celebration, plus a newspaper from 1936 that had a photograph of the graduating class from BH in 1936. There were 19 students in that class. Anyway onward!

Labor Day weekend I went to Tonawanda, where I grew up to celebrate my father's 60th birthday with him. He was born September 3rd, 1950. This was a special trip as my father didn't know my family was coming, he was really surprised when we all jumped out of the back bedroom at my brother's house. The great thing about this trip is that there was nothing really planned. Nothing touristy for my kids, no picnics, parties, or other people to see. What happens when we have no plans are often the most special times. Our families played games, went fishing, and visited a small park not far from where I grew up. What does this have to do with my grandfather you ask?

It was on Saturday, when we went fishing that it started to click with me. I started to notice the man my father has become since he has retired and started down some new roads in his life. He is now the rock my aunts and uncles lean on to take care of grandma, he is a loving husband who looks after my Mom everyday, he is also the grandfather that I adored so much. There's a great country song titled, "I'm seeing my father in me" I'm not sure who sang it, but it is resonating with me from our weekend get away. I can't help, but see how much my Father is like my grandfather was. This weekend he taught my kids things they had never done before, a board game, how to bait your hook, how to play long and short in basketball, how to make your time with your family memorable.

My memories of my grandfather are so vivid, we shared a lot of special times together, playing games of cards, fishing, boating, eating, laughing, all of these are held close to my heart and I think about them often. The memories came flooding back this weekend and I'm proud to see the legacy he has left for this extended family of ours. I can't help, but think of my Grandfather and what he must have been thinking 60 years ago when my Dad was born. I wonder if he carefully thought out all the things he would teach his new born son. I know he is looking down from heaven and is very proud of the man my father has become. He is proud of a son that loves his family, that loves his country and loves his friends. Did he have a plan to teach him all this? I doubt it. This is who my Grandfather was as well. This is who my Dad is now, this is who I pray I will be one day. The legacy will continue.

I pray for the strength to teach my son Nick all the things that my grandfather taught my dad, and that my dad has passed down to me. I pray that he will grow up to be the man that my grandfather was, who my dad is, and who I hope to be one day. I hope one day he will show his grandson how to shoot a foul shot, and ask him those words that I so loved to hear when I was a kid, "wanna go fishin?"

Happy Birthday Dad! Miss you Gramps, and Love ya Nick!

Love Always,

Your son, Your Grandson, Your Dad,

Mike

First Day of School

The night before school in the Harvey Homestead,
Lily already sleeping, for once in her own bed.
Nick talking to mommy about third grade,
Reading, Writing and the A’s to be made.
The summer is over how quick it all went,
The beach, Peru, time with family, and lots of money spent.
Back to our routine, a 6 am start,
Breakfast on the way to school, love those pop tarts.
The book bags are packed, paper, crayons, and other supplies,
New friends to meet, and schedules to memorize.
Hard to believe that Nick’s in grade three,
And Lily in grade one, our little teacher to be!
Homework, projects, conferences and PTA
Back to the race of 180 school days.
Three short years ago our school was brand new.
In all the schools in North Carolina Rea View was number two.
The teachers at Rea View will make 2011 better than 2010,
With such dedication nothing short of excellence will happen.
Tomorrow we start, teachers get your rest
Get ready Rea View tomorrow we send you our best!

First Days

Tomorrow is the first day of school of the 2010 - 2011. There is an energy present at the beginning of each year that I wish we could bottle up and save for those days when we grow weary. Adults are motivated to take students further in their learning they have ever thought possible. We believe that our students will run through the walls for us, that they will come to school each day excited about what their teacher has to tell them and share with them.

Students will also come in tomorrow filled with curiosity. What will my teacher be like, who will be in my class, what time is lunch and what time is specials? How much homework will I get and will my teacher like me. They believe they will reach the honor roll each marking period, they will ace each test, they will be the one their teachers call on and praise for getting the answers correctly.

Parents will be excited their children are no longer telling them they are bored. They will be encouraged by the first impressions and communications this years teacher shares with them. They will encourage their children to do what the teacher tells them, do their homework, read each night.

Yes this bottle of energy would be very valuable in February and March. To save all of these things and pour it on our partners when we feel defeated, when the hours seem like days, and the days like weeks.

My wish for each of us tomorrow is that we will remember what today feels like and that each day when we come to school we have the same energy that we have tomorrow. Capture the energy, capture the excitement, and use it to engage and enrich your school year this year!