Is This For Real?
During an Arts Master Piece presentation given by my daughter to her son’s kindergarten class, the teacher abruptly interrupted telling all students to “Duck and Cover”. Children immediately dropped to the floor. This was a practice drill should an armed intruder threaten students or staff. Elizabeth heard her son say to his teacher, “Is this for real?” Kindergarten children are at an age when they are trying to figure things out.
Elizabeth’s heart sank knowing that such a practice was part of the curriculum. It is alarming to think that classroom management requires that children learn such tactics in a school in our communities. Elizabeth too had a curriculum that included how to be safe in case of a tornado. I remember getting under my desk because the Russians were coming. The recent teacher response to an armed student in Hastings, Minnesota reinforces the need for such practice and preparation. Charlie’s question during the drill was a good one. The teacher’s answer was probably, “ This is only a practice.” However, in Hastings it was for real.
These are confusing times. We just had Easter. During this time for some, reverence is held for a man who died on the cross who later left the tomb after a huge rock was moved. During this time for others, a large rabbit delivered colored eggs - jelly beans and sometimes gifts. Is this for real?
This spring break, Elizabeth and her family spent the week in La Jolla, California. On Easter, Elizabeth heard Charlie running up stairs when the house began to rock. Everyone ran outside waiting for the rolling to stop. His grandmother carefully explained how the house was built of wood and able to withstand the jolt. Charlie remembered pictures of Haiti and Chile. Is this for real? Days later, he still worries about the house, his safety and the fear experienced.
I read in the paper a lengthy discussion about the increasing numbers of homeless in the metro area, the need for school districts to lay off teachers, close schools and cut costs. My friend continues to search for a job having been out of work for over a year. I watch with alarm as our elected representatives are spat upon and called names and the number of physical attacks at the University of Minnesota continue to rise. At the same time that this is reported, so too is the sale of over 330,000 I Pads in a matter of hours, the wonder of an outdoor baseball stadium and the fact that the stock market is going up. Tulips and daffodils are mentioned in the same lecture describing the astonishingly quiet but deadly attack of the Emerald Ash Borer leading to the eventual demise of all the ash trees in our state.
Charlie at six is trying to separate myth from reality. He is trying to understand the differences between fantasy - truth and make believe. Frankly I too find the question a challenge. Is this for real?
Elizabeth’s heart sank knowing that such a practice was part of the curriculum. It is alarming to think that classroom management requires that children learn such tactics in a school in our communities. Elizabeth too had a curriculum that included how to be safe in case of a tornado. I remember getting under my desk because the Russians were coming. The recent teacher response to an armed student in Hastings, Minnesota reinforces the need for such practice and preparation. Charlie’s question during the drill was a good one. The teacher’s answer was probably, “ This is only a practice.” However, in Hastings it was for real.
These are confusing times. We just had Easter. During this time for some, reverence is held for a man who died on the cross who later left the tomb after a huge rock was moved. During this time for others, a large rabbit delivered colored eggs - jelly beans and sometimes gifts. Is this for real?
This spring break, Elizabeth and her family spent the week in La Jolla, California. On Easter, Elizabeth heard Charlie running up stairs when the house began to rock. Everyone ran outside waiting for the rolling to stop. His grandmother carefully explained how the house was built of wood and able to withstand the jolt. Charlie remembered pictures of Haiti and Chile. Is this for real? Days later, he still worries about the house, his safety and the fear experienced.
I read in the paper a lengthy discussion about the increasing numbers of homeless in the metro area, the need for school districts to lay off teachers, close schools and cut costs. My friend continues to search for a job having been out of work for over a year. I watch with alarm as our elected representatives are spat upon and called names and the number of physical attacks at the University of Minnesota continue to rise. At the same time that this is reported, so too is the sale of over 330,000 I Pads in a matter of hours, the wonder of an outdoor baseball stadium and the fact that the stock market is going up. Tulips and daffodils are mentioned in the same lecture describing the astonishingly quiet but deadly attack of the Emerald Ash Borer leading to the eventual demise of all the ash trees in our state.
Charlie at six is trying to separate myth from reality. He is trying to understand the differences between fantasy - truth and make believe. Frankly I too find the question a challenge. Is this for real?
posted by Ada at
12:30 PM
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