Current Events
This article deals with out of control parents at youth sports. I thought biting the ear off of someone was in the past. Hmmmmm. Is there a Mike Tyson sighting? I mean who has the nerve to embarass friends and family by attacking the opposing teams head coach. That takes some guts and ignorance. There is obviously something mentally wrong with this guy. What happened to just going to your son or daughters sporting event and enjoying the game. Just imagine what the child is feeling and going through. He or she is going to be the one known as having the "crazy" dad. Wow!
This next article deals with a woman who suffocated her two sons, 18 months and 2 years old, before driving her car in a lake in 2010, all because of her mom raising the children differently. Who are you to take two innocent lives away? She has got some serious mental issues that should of been addressed earlier. I mean look at these two different parents, no wonder children are facing negative human development, emotionally and physically. The parents are more like burdens to their children than vice versa. And the thing is, this is only the tip of the iceberg. We hear far more serious and deadly accusations from these mentally unstable parents.
This next article deals with a white community watch volunteer killed an innocent, black 17 year old. As the volunteer was chasing Trayvon through the neighborhood while on the phone with the dispatcher, he was told to not chase him and wait for authorities. But yet he didn't listen and ended up killing the child because of racial profiling. When in the end the child was running because he was scared that somebody was chasing him. What really made an impression for me was James Martins blog post near the bottom when he states "but I really think the problem here is that those of us living in mixed-culture neighborhoods fail to get to know our neighbors, and unnecessary fear follows. Chances are this wouldn't of lead to death had he known who Trayvon was. It would of maybe lead to questioning Trayvon as to what he was doing rather than killing him in "self-defense."
This article deals with students performance and linking it with teachers pay. The overall survey shows that less and less teachers are accepting the fact that students test scores are a reflection of their worth. I believe tests show one side of a student's ability and it doesn't allow for creativity while the tests prove what you "need" to know for the test. What do you think about this?
Is this really what we're feeding children in school? Pink Slime=Mystery Meat. This article states that many parents and programs are outraged by this "byproduct" because of the lack of knowledge of what's in the beef and is it harmful. The National Lunch Program states is cheap and they have been using it for a number of years without any known instances. Even though it's cheap, shouldn't our children deserve better food but I do understand that it is probably better than some of the food that is served at home.
This article really stood out to me because while talking about the GLBT community, we as a class collectively agreed that there need to be more services in school to help children with situations like this one and GLBT, and bullying. This woman did receive some type of support but it was a little too late. She is only a fraction of the children who go through this. Alot of children do not reach out to others or have a hard time finding someone and this often leads to tumultuous times. I also agree that teachers not only are suppossed to teach academics but life lessons as well. We as teachers also need to be able to spot any hint of emotional distress from our students and be aware of what's going on too.
SEO Scholars education program. This was by far my favorite article showing how different programs are taking the initiative and actually are making a difference while showing improving results. I never heard about this where they take highschool low-income, minority students and place them in a college setting where the basics of academics are revisited with a more one on one interaction. They spend time on fundamental areas where in highschool they don't have time to. This program is free to the students but is very expensive costing $5000 per student. This gives the children a chance to make the best out of the situation and create their own destiny. I know there are people asking but what about low-income white students? Where are there opportunities and programs? What do you think?
Homeless Hotspots. This article was interesting and so were the blogs that followed it. Especially from the ignorant John Black. He states that the homeless people he refers to are drunks and crackheads. Then Michael Abbott calls him out and tells him not all homeless people are drunks and crackheads and there are some indeed who have lost there job due to the economy. Just another person profiling and not thinking with his head.
Just some crazy issues and crazy and ignorant people. What do you think about this and where do you stand? Is it just me or are there some sick and twisted people out there?
Ariel,
ReplyDeleteLove how you put the Father/Coach article in. Esp in PE/HE Ive seen/heard/learned/and reported on some MESSED up scenarios similar to this~! One that I particularly remember was a father shooting and KILLING the 17 year old ref because he called a penalty on his 9 year old little boy in a football game. Messed up. Sorta goes against EVERYTHING I have been taught in my job and in school. Not what we want to teach our babies,as coaches and future physical educators. Weren't we there as parents to SUPPORT them? Not for us? Wasn't youth sports and being part of a team supposed to be fun and teach you things that will help one to develope team biuilding and prep us to be able to socailize well with others as adults?? maybe this dad missed that memo...
Imagine if Dad is like that there, can you imagine what he is like in private???
What about in Georgia recently? When a Northside Christian football player was charged by police with battery after beating an opposing player on the field, by using the opposing player’s own helmet.
Sometimes I wonder about the negative sides of sport and it makes me sad. Because that isn't what being part of a team and being a fair winner, AND fair loser is about. How can we expect any less when it wasn't until last year I want to say when NFL headquarters and sports commentators both FINALLY have acted as though there is some gigantic mystery regarding what to do about dangerous helmet hits. Here's what to do in three words: throw the flag!!!!!!! Start setting some examples and protecting our youth! And kick these unruly parents right off the damn field. The child wants to play, the parent is only there to support... if not get the hell out.
I am going to touch the other article I liked the best you out up.. the SEO one. Simply amazing, and because it is a Saturday class I am assuming these kids want to be there? And you asked about white underprivileged children, can they not participate in this program, I might have missed it..
As the teachers and the students test scores? Lets say if I was one of their students they may need a second job. Although Im smart, I was always a poor test taker as a child. Even now as an adult, I am better, only because I now have the resources and strategies I need to complete the task, but as a child the anxiety, and I was always behind a little in math and struggled so I would freeze up in seconds. I would be horrified If my kids grades depended on my paycheck! What about motivation? some kids just don't have it, and wont have it. Some are brought up in homes with none, or other things might need to come first before studying unfortunately. Ive rambled enough, great articles. You always set the bar way to high!