100th Day of School

“Everyone who remembers their own education remembers teachers. Not methods or techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system.” – Sidney Hook

As our town celebrates the 100th day of school we want to say a heart-felt thank-you to those who taught our four children. We are asked often why we chose public school. Here is a brief summary of some of our reasons.

Teachers

Every teacher we have spoken with over the decades expressed to us that they entered the teaching profession because they felt called to the job, not because they envisioned making their first million by the age of 30! Public schools require their teachers to hold a four year Bachelor of Science in Education at minimum and most go on to earn their Masters and other special certifications. Further education and renewing their credentials is also a must, all at their own expense. To us, that is Commitment with a capital C.

Diversity

We live in a largely populated, diverse area of the country. Students are in classrooms where they are exposed to peers, teachers and staff that may not look, think or act like them. A classroom in any of our public school buildings may be made up of a blend of students from many different cultures, faiths and income levels and students may learn alongside others with differing physical or learning abilities. Their classroom is a microcosm of the town, state and country they live in and will eventually work in, preparing them to be contributing adult members of society.

Access

Public schools provide access to an education for every child in every town. Every student has the same educational opportunities as their neighbor regardless of whether their parents went to college or not, own their own home or rent or whether there is just one adult and one child in the household or multiple generations.

Multiple Opportunities

Public schools often offer academic choices such as Advanced Placement (AP) classes, specialized subjects like technology, gifted and talented programs, etc. They also provide extracurricular clubs, athletics, music, art, community activism and many others for those students who wish to engage. Most are of no cost to the student while some require a nominal fee. Public schools work with families who are financially limited whenever possible.

Additional Services

It’s the law that public schools provided certain services including but not limited to transportation to and from school, reduced price meals for those who qualify, academic tutoring, learning specialists such as for speech, and special education services for any student in need.

The Cost

The cost of a public education cannot be beat. We often told our adult friends that since we already pay taxes in town, we’ll save money to help our students with higher education, but it made no sense to pay for 2nd grade. We made sure we were involved in our children’s classrooms and schools as much as possible getting to know the principal, teachers and staff. After-all, we pay their salaries.

Performance

Academic performance is tested, measured and reported as each school is held accountable to the state. Yes, sometimes too many tests are given and not all students test well and that is being addressed. We liked knowing that our children’s schools had a higher authority reviewing what they do or don’t do well so corrections or changes could be made.

On an end note, President Abraham Lincoln said, “Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in.”

Many complain about the public schools today and that is not without reason. Our country, family units, our society in general, is changing at the speed of light. Conversations about how we educate our children, have become quite complicated and emotionally charged. For the sake of our children, let’s show respect as we engage in these conversations. If we do not, have we learned anything?