Amid the Scary News – Some Inspiration

This morning I joined some friends to watch the 5^th grade culmination at Castle Heights Elementary School. None of us have children graduating this year, but as parents active in the school we wanted to check it out and support the kids. I haven’t been to an elementary school graduation since I participated in my own and my recollection is, admittedly, pretty dim.  I can, however, guarantee that it was nothing like this.

 

These kids were amazing. Many of them recited essays from memory about their time at Castle Heights, highlighting their accomplishments and talking about their life’s goals.  Not only were they beautifully crafted, but they were delivered with confidence, poise and grace.  I think I can say with a fair amount of certainty that at the age of 11, I had no concept of life goals.  Others sang – solo or in small groups.   And they performed a dance. I remember doing something like a square dance, but these kids learned and perfected a complicated looking swing dance to Zoot Suit Riot by the Cherry Poppn’ Daddies.

 

I watched a group of children from a myriad of ethnic and economic backgrounds talk about their commitment to the environment, their desire to work for the common good and their optimistic belief in the future. Some, who didn’t speak English when they started at Castle Heights, won awards for scholastic achievement.  Others thanked the teachers who had mentored them.

 

I can’t speak for other schools, but what I can say is that I was truly awed by these children and what they were able to articulate about their elementary school experience. It confirmed my belief, stronger than ever, that public education must be saved.  And, that there is a lot there worth saving. I would stack this neighborhood public school graduating class against any private school in town.  

 

By the time they cheered for themselves and filed out to where their parents, grandparents, teachers and friends were waiting, I too felt optimistic about their futures and their ability to reach their goals.  Isn’t that what we all want for our kids?

 

Victoria

 

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MOMS UNITE is a grassroots parent advocacy group devoted to improving public education in California. To join, please send your contact information to momsunitela@gmail.com, join our Facebook group and follow us on Twitter @MOMSUNITE.

Comments

[Barbara Kaye]

Bravo!

Thank you, Victoria, for your upbeat and articulate vision in these frustrating times. I think we parents are full of hope for change in our national economics and politics, but faced with shriveling state support at our schools. Thank you for the reminder not to give up on our dream of providing something better for our kids.