School-opening thoughts
Eleven days from the publication of this newspaper, the schools in West Haven will open for the 2021-2022 academic year. As we await the opening, bus schedules are finalized, teachers are preparing for another year, and parents are hoping their children will be successful in their educational pursuits. But it shouldn’t stop there. Here’s what we hope will happen in the coming school term:
Drivers – We start with the usual admonition to those commuting to and from work during the time school is in session. Children tend to be focused on what they are doing and not focused on oncoming traffic. Over the years serious accidents have happened in the city; thankfully, we have gone several years without serious mishap.
The fact remains drivers must be cognizant of children waiting for school buses and their activities. Keeping the speed limit is a good way to start with alertness to one’s surroundings another plus.
That stated, we admit anecdotally we have noted an increase in the number of motorists who seem to believe flashing red lights do not apply to them. There are some drivers who believe they can wantonly disregard the school bus signals and pass the vehicles. This can result – and has resulted – in consequences of injury and death in the state and elsewhere.
Bus drivers, too, can help the situation. Again, anecdotally we have noted that flashing yellow lights for long periods of time have confused motorists on both sides of the road. The yellow caution lights are to be used to alert motorists to a stop, and our research state’s it should be 100 feet prior to the actual stop, wherein the red flashing lights will be used. Some have stopped and still have the yellow lights flashing. That action has created not a little confusion.
Teachers – Teachers are the first line of information for students, and should teach the courses outlined in their curricula. Teachers are not purveyors of political ideologies, nor should they espouse them in their classrooms. Nationwide, and we can point to hundreds of cases where teachers stepped over the line, becoming activists.
While in our area this has not be a problem as in other places, it would be a safe bet that some teachers, especially those in the social sciences, will filter some of their material through a political point of view. That should not happen. Marxist ideologies such as Critical Race Theory and other such historically inaccurate and dangerous “isms” should be kept out of discussions and lessons.
Parents – Parents play a big role in the education of their children, and should keep close eye on not only daily lessons, homework, and projects, but what is being taught. School is not a day care center, and should not be. Teachers are not babysitters, but educators. Education is process that includes parental participation. Students excel in those homes where parents take an active role in monitoring children’s progress. One of the biggest problems in American education is the lack of parental interest in their children’s progress. All the money in the world is not going to make Johnnie read if he doesn’t get help – and monitoring – at home.
The new school year brings with it new hopes and new expectations from students, teachers, and parents. By working together from the time a child leaves the home, until he comes back, we all have a role in helping to build a road to success.
Good Luck in the new school year.