There was a time when I looked forward to going to school. It was so simpler then. Boys wore clothes appropriate for the
time. Dark pants or courdroys were in fashion. Button down or pull over shirts completed the outfit. Our sneakers had no fancy brand name or label creating competition among fellow classmates for status. There was always someone though having better or lessor levels of fashion, but who cared really.
Girls in the lower grades donned the wardrobe choices of their mother. Some were not as elegant as others yet they remained prim and proper. As the grades increased so did the size and style of blouses and shirts. A few young ladies protruded more than others but that was okay for us guys. Still the bosoms were covered from view.
Teachers led the day off with the pledge of allegiance, complete with the words Under God, and no one complained. We even had the okay to have prayer. Such a good way to begin the day. We actually liked doing it. The same teachers took their time to go slowly enough for each and every student to grasp the lesson. She or he had the compassion to do that. Today's leaders of
education believe sometimes teachers spend too much time with individual students and send the slower pupil to another area. What a great way to inspire our future and present tutors. Anyway, as to days gone by, going to school was fun.
We did not worry about metal detectors in doorways, drug deals going down in the boy's and girl's bathroom, a bad person being punished for wearing the wrong colors, or a fellow classmate getting so upset with life he or she has to bring a gun to school to shoot that source of agiatation. No, we worried about greater concerns such getting caught skipping a class or being in the bathroom full of smoke from a cigarette someone just happened to light or shooting paper airplanes in class or things of such tragedy. Yes we really had a lot to fret over.
Is lack of prayer the fault for our 21st century down slide? Is it because parents don't care about how their children act, look, or think about school? Can it be a small minority may be permitted to inflict thier warped ideas and ideals we can not make schools fun and safe any more?
Recess was the highlight of the day. Energy was burned off in a positive way. Athletics paved the way for college scholarships. Drugs were not a part of that scheme. Violence was not included in the program. Being found smoking a regular cigarette in the store near school cost one position on the footbal team. Now steroids are the number one concern.
Where does the foolishness end and the old ways become the norm again? When will our teachers be allowed to be just that,teachers,again? No one person has all the answers. One thing is certain though. Until we as a society take back the reins of the free running horses of education nothing will change. Let's make going to school fun again.