Uncle Roger's Notebooks of Daily Life

Educational Rescue II

It occurs to me that because I put in a break, not everyone may have read the full post about Jared's school. If you didn't, please go read it now.

If you're the sort of person who believes in "every man for himself" and "I gave at the office" and that Social Security should be revamped so you get back what you put into it, then never mind. In fact, what the heck are you doing here? Shouldn't you be off shopping or something? If, on the other hand, you are the sort who sees everyone as part of a larger community where each person helps and is helped by every other person as necessary, then you'll want to pay close attention.

The Child Study Center benefits us all, whether we have kids or not, whether we're local or not. Better educated kids grow up to be better citizens, less likely to be involved in illegal activity or otherwise require excessive assistance from the state. They grow up to contribute to society rather than detract from it. The CSC doesn't just educate 32 children a year, it educates teachers who will go on to educate thousands of other children. Further, the research done there helps early childhood educators everywhere do their jobs better. So, in the grand scheme of things, it comes down to spending a little on the CSC now means spending a lot less on things like welfare, police, correctional facilities, and so on later.

I know you understand that; I just wish the geniuses at SF State understood it. (For that matter, I wish everyone understood it.)

Related Links Notebooks: Educational Rescue Notebooks: Educational Rescue Those Shirts The Child Study Center at San Francisco State University Friends of the Child Study Center

[ Posted: 10:00 | home | print ]

How about you and I form a group and take our show on the road. I have been screaming (for me anyhow) bout this same thing forever. Merced has serious poverty problems which in turn means gangs, crime, kids dropping out of school, everything that ties in with poverty. So what is the city building? A new Courthouse. (And plans are afoot for our overcrowded jail.) The largest women's prison in the country is right down the road. It's bursting at the seams; largely with women arrested for non-violent drug offenses. Of course your program should be funded. So should our recreation centers which were one of the first items to be cut. Now the city rec programs are almost as expensive as day care and back the kids go to the streets. Sorry - I'll stop now but I believe what we're doing to the kids in this country is nothing short of criminal.

Posted by ann adams

I want to help

Is there anything I can do to help, Uncle Roger? I know I'm across the pond, as it were, but I could write letters (I'm good at that) or make a small donation towards the cause if you tell me how to do it...? Email me and let me know. I'm not sure what to do, but if there is anything I can do and it is within my means, I'll sure as hell do it. Education is important. Way too important to let some pompous fat cats who don't have a clue how the real world works take the opportunities for it making a difference away. Alice

Posted by Alice