Recently, Commissioner White asked district personnel to compile a list of pros and cons regarding the replication of the SOTA model for the Northeast Zone so that students who wish to attend such a program would not have to be turned down due to availability. District officials have been less than supportive of this idea saying that securing professionals to teach in the new school would be difficult and the replication would be costly.
Last night at the Board meeting, the School of the Arts choir performed. It was marvelous.
Speakers at the Business meeting told the Board of the shortage of music programs at the secondary level and, while most elementary schools had music programs, there was an inequity in they type and delivery of those programs in and across schools.
Also speaking at the meeting were teens concerned about the rising incidence of pregnancy and STD’s amongst teens in our community. They were advocating for better sex education and condom accessibility in schools.
A study by Scott Turner in Academic Leadership Live, shows that “The difference between success and failure has been simply identified as how a student spends their after-school time.”
The district has no problem recognizing the value of sports programs for students yet has not extended their view to include Glee clubs, Chess clubs, Debate clubs, Leadership clubs, Cooking clubs, and any other club that would bring young men and women together in a positive way. Volunteers can be utilized in all of these areas.
The cost of providing these opportunities for our youth can be measured in dollars. The cost of denying these opportunities to our young people is measured in their lives. Regardless of the financial investment, schools should be a place where children are given every opportunity to discover their greatness. Each Zone should offer children of all ages the chance to explore their passions and develop their dreams.
Giving students alternatives to being in the street would be more beneficial than giving them condoms to protect themselves once they are there.
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