Thursday, May 16, 2013

An open letter to all public school critics



Dear _____________________, 

I know you think that the public schools are "failing to do their part." And that public school teachers are "protected by unfair unions that need to be busted." And that the tenure system is "archaic and unpalatable in this day and age."  (Which, actually, I believe to be true).  

And, I've heard you toss around words like "accountablity" and "data-driven decision making" without ever sitting in a classroom with a child who has a) had no breakfast, b) has lived in five houses in the last five years, c) whose parents are working 3 jobs to pay rent and are going to school, d) whose most reliable babysitter is the tv, and e) who went to sleep at 10:30 after drinking soda and eating chips.  

A decade ago, you were all sure that no child would be left behind by 2014, but,with one year to go to reach that nearly impossible goal of having every child read on grade level, we are once again, not as successful as we could be if we would have "market choice, charter schools."  

Yada, yada, yada.  I have heard it all.  

To you, who doubt the work ethic of teachers and demand the robotic standardization of all methods, outcomes and children, I have an invitation. 

Come to school tonight.  We're having an Open House from 7 -8.  Check out the kindergartener's writing about the trip to the farm.  Look at their labeled drawings of community helpers.  Read their "Wonder Board" where they ask questions like: How much do bones weigh? Or, how many ways are there to get to space? Yes, all of them can read an write.  Could you when you were in kindergarten?  I couldn't. 

Drop by a first grade room where they studied Nelson Mandela and Sally Ride.  Look at their needs and wants surveys.  Peek into their investigation journals about the crystallization of water.  Look at the world map, where this week they studied Belize.  

Maybe second grade will grab your attention.  The ten foot collaborative murals about endangered species.  The nine page book filled with their research.  Or perhaps you would like to read their poetic responses to looking at famous works of art by Jackson Pollack and Georgia O'Keeffe.  

If you are not convinced by the dedication of teachers and the rabid curiosity of students by now, swing by the art room, where students have designed masks imitating artifacts they've seen from a teacher generated Prezi.  (Do you even know what a Prezi, or how to make one?) Or look at sculptures of hybrid animals made with an artist-in-residence.  Maybe the Faith Ringgold space paintings will impress.  

Or go the gym, with the rock wall, inline skates, snowshoes.  No dodgeball here.  How about reading the students personal journals about healthy decision-making?  Or maybe you'd like to watch a video of a disaster dance -- wanna see fourth graders interpret a tornado in a collaborative way?  

In the music room, all of the fourth graders can read notes and play a recorder.  Every single one.  How many members of the Congress could say the same? 

Then jog up to the third grade rooms, where you will see elaborate maps showing the way that community systems work in concert to provide services for their residents.  Maybe you'd like to see a pro/con t-chart comparing the affects of renewable versus non-renewable energy sources.  Maybe you could write a story about the ways you are a thinker or principled.  You see, these are base values we try to encourage and share for the betterment of all.  

Just down the hallway, stop by my room.  Algebra problems written up by third graders.  A flight project about the way an engine uses Newton's Laws of Motion to propel a jet with thrust.  Or, perhaps, you'd be drawn to the 25 slide powerpoints about plant growth, each with data graphs and animation.  

Just around the corner, you'd find fourth grade.  That's the grade where they volunteer at lunch to mediate problems on the playground.  That's the grade where they wrote a 45 minute poetry play.  If you'd like something more academic, they could tell you about the War of 1812, if you'd like.  Or the causes and affects of deposition and erosion.  Maybe you'd like to read their migration interviews.  Many could show you how they are dividing mixed numbers, and other 7th grade skills, with an individualized computer program.   There's just so much to see.  

Come doubters.  Walk inside our school.  

Talk to the teachers.  Talk, even longer and with more interest, to the students.  

We are far from failing.  We are more than accountable.  We'd love to show you everything you doubt we are capable of doing.  

Tonight, 7-8.  We'll all be there. 

Jean Reinhold
Proud Teacher in her 25th year of public school service 

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