Monday, September 24th, 2007
Candidates and their supporters are still trying to make the most of this last day to gain more votes. They will be waving in the streets and doing last-minute canvassing in the neighborhoods. Just one more day of political madness and this hotly contested primary election will finally be in a sprint to the finish line. It should be a day for peace and quiet to give voters some time to contemplate their own minds.
Posted in General Musings, Fitchburg Blog | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
PHOTO BY B. Snyder
I looked outside the window with excitement as I watched some parents bring their kids to school. It brought back old memories about my school life; most of them were happy, fulfilling, and very precious. It also ignited some thoughts about things I have observed ever since I came to this country.
For instance: history said that centuries ago, Americans created the public school system because they believed that every child needs to be educated. Not just for their own good, not just to make a career, not just to hold a better job, but to make democracy work. With only 2.4% of the registered voters here in Fitchburg who actually voted during the last election, is this effective democracy?
One thing that strikes me most is that schools usually get the blame for the misbehaviors and unproductivity of youth. Most parents get worried about what their kids learn from school but allow them to spend five hours or more watching TV, hitting the malls or playing video games. So, what do they learn instead? Simple. Always seek pleasure to avoid boredom. Violence is entertaining. You should win at all costs. Happiness is found in having things. Get everything for yourself and get it all as quickly as possible.
I also noticed this: American kids never greet their teachers. But I was told that ten years ago, there used to exist some respect for teachers, schools and administrators. Now, that rarely happens. Who wouldn’t want to be respected, anyway? I don’t think the schools teach the children to disrespect them. Have we been expecting our schools to do the job that parents should be doing?
Posted in General Musings, Fitchburg Blog | 1 Comment »
Thursday, August 23rd, 2007
Jesus said: “Let the children come to me and do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14)
With the opening of schools only days away, I feel heartbroken that St. Joe’s isn’t going to be opening its doors anymore to our children. Its closure had nothing to do with the quality of education it provides. It was based on demographic changes, enrolment issues and financial costs. Things that perhaps with the help and intervention of the entire community of Fitchburg, this school could have been saved.
Yes, Fitchburg has just lost 104 years of Catholic school tradition. The whole city watches while the parishioners of St. Joseph’s grieve. It’s really difficult to feel the pain of seeing one Catholic school being shut down especially when there are other Catholic schools around. But wait, until all our Catholic schools are gone… one by one. Then we can ask ourselves: “What have I done to help?”
Catholic schools are more than just schools. They are places that can uplift entire neighborhoods, providing not just academics and discipline but hope for low-income families and their children. When St. Joe’s closed, we left more than just its old building behind. We actually left the children and those children needed us to help them reach their dreams.
Posted in General Musings, Fitchburg Blog | No Comments »