Last day

Today is Jacob's last day of kindergarten. It's quite sad as Amanda and I are very pleased with the school he attends. We are also very happy to have met the other families and it is nice that nearly every day a number of families stay at the playground to let the kids play and for the parents to talk. Tomorrow is Graduation and the class will sing a few songs, wear their mortar board, and receive their 'diploma'.

We give thanks that we are in a position to provide this education for Jacob (and for our other kids in the coming years) and are excited and nervous about entering the world of home-schooling next year.

Did anyone notice in Sunday's News-Journal the two stories on education? The lead story was that Delaware suspends students at twice the national average. (We're #1!) The secondary story was on different kinds of desks and chairs that are used in classes that can allow students to stand, sit, or kneel. Also, giving more time for recess and Phys Ed has shown increased focus and attention from students.

I know that in Cecil County, the first line of punishment from teachers is to take away recess from the class when students misbehave and do not follow the classroom rules. Perhaps more recess will give students an outlet and help them when they are supposed to be paying attention.

And perhaps if parents did not abdicate their roles and give the burden of parenting to teachers and schools and taught and modeled for their children appropriate behavior in the various settings of life, then teachers would not have to resort to drastic punishment techniques. Then perhaps teachers could teach.

I'm a dreamer.