I believe Tamir and Carly both have good points. Again, I'm not a parent, but I am a product of both parochial and public schooling.
First of all, Minneapolis teachers, like any other working folks, have a right to decent, safe and comfortable working conditions, just as their students have a right to a decent, safe and comfortable learning environment. You cannot have one without the other. Tamir, I don't think there is anyone on this list as left-wing and doubtful of conventional authority as i am. Still, I think your perspective promotes a form of hyper-individuality that plays right into the hands of modern capitalists.( Please allow me to recommend just about any issue of ADBUSTERS, or Tom Frank's books <Hip is Dead> and <Commodify Your Dissent>.) Children need guidance. It is the teacher's responsibility to teach children things they do not know and need to learn in order to succeed in a cooperative-based society. (Admittedly, our society operates more on the principles of bullying rather than cooperation, but that's another issue . . . ) Of course, teachers must be morally and professionally accountable if they are to receive the respect and cooperation that they need from their students as well as the students' parents. Along with an enlightened school board (ours isn't, I'm afraid), it's only parents like you and Carly who can ensure the integrity and competence of our community's teachers. Dress code: I think the Minneapolis Public Schools would be doing children and their parents a huge favor by requiring inexpensive, durable uniforms (that aren't manufactured by exploited labor). It's the best way to protect children (along with many parents already in dire financial straits) from the pernicious exploits of our corporate merchants that promotes bogus individuality and "hipness" for their own dubious ends. De-emphasizing fashion can help youngsters focus on scholarship, compassion and creativity. I know this first hand from my own experiences in the sixties and early seventies when I attended both parochial and public schools. Finally, Soda pop and high fat foods have no place in our schools in Minneapolis. Friends of mine who are parents have told me that too much of it makes their children hyperactive and prone to behavior disorders. Since parents cannot be present at the schools to regulate their childrens' junk food intake the only moral and practical course is to ban it. Nevertheless I certainly understand the dilemma of school boards that contract with dealers of junk food. They're caught between a rock and a hard place and what a sad commentary that is on a country that can always find billions of dollars to attack and occupy other nations, not to mention a metropolis that can grant 60 million dollar subsidies to stores like TARGET. Peter Schmitz CARAG "And if the student finds that this is not to his taste? Well, that is regrettable. Most regrettable. His taste should not be consulted; it is being formed."--------Flannery O'Connor "Total Effect and the Eighth Grade" REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
