Apology, sorta - peeve, definitaly

I was just rereading my last post for probably at least the tenth time, and I got to thinking about what I said at the last of it. I'm sorry, but that is still how I feel about what goes on at a high school graduation. I said it was supposed to be a serious time in the life of the graduate. Well, 60 years ago, when I graduated from high school, things like that were major, serious, events in the lives of young people. But you know, I think I can realize that things are different now, it is a different time. All that "foolishness" the graduates do is not rebellion or meaning to be disruptive; I think it is just their way of celebrating the fact that they have finished their years of primary and secondary school. For many, this is the end of their school years. For some, there will be more years, maybe many more, before they have to face some of the realities of life. Now that I've done some serious thinking, I think I can understand why they do the things they do. That doesn't necessarily mean I like the idea, just that I think I understand.

Not long after I started these postings, I really vented about some of the things in the education system now. One of my biggest gripes, is the way the education system is taking such a beating in the state budget process. But I don't care how badly the system gets beaten by the budget cutbacks, I don't think that excuses letting kids go through school without learning some of the basics of life. Sure, they are teaching more advanced scientific and mathematical subjects than when I went to school, but darn it, when I graduated from high school, or even from grade school, you could read my writing, and I could at least use correct grammar and punctuation. (Belive it not - some times you wouldn't think so from reading these posts). About 10 years or so ago, I went to visit one of my grandkids at high school one day for some reason. One of the classes she was taking was "keyboarding" or learning to use the keyboard (type) on a computer. I was absolutely dumbfounded when she handed me a paper with an "A" grade on it. The spelling, punctuation, and grammar were atrocious. I was told, I believe by the teacher, that that was not the purpose of this class. In this class, they were just suppossed to prove they knew how to use the keyboard - the rest of it would be taken care of by another teacher!! To me, that just did not make good sense. "English" in all it's forms, should be a part of every class. I hadn't thought too much about it later, because I really wasn't involved in the kids school work, but I got an email from one the other day. This kid had finished high school, and I was really shocked at the email. It was almost as if the computer did not have capital letters, and maybe it is from texting too much on the phones, but spelling seems to have gone by the wayside. Now, this is really frustrating to me. Oh well, I guess, as I said, I am getting old!!

Well, I think that is enough for now, so That's all, folks!!

I did it again!!

Man, I did it again. In my last post I was griping about the errors in my work that got past me, and there I found two or three more. I give up!! If, when you read me, I don't make sense, just guess at it! You probably won't be too far wrong.

Yesterday, I received an email from my granddaughter. I think it is just priceless, and it goes right along with the school situation I have been complaining about - you know, the things teachers are required to do, or not allowed to do, due to some state or federal regulation. Well, anyway, that's what I started out to do, but I guess I did get a little sidetracked on some of it.
Anyway, this came as a forwarded email. It had already been forwarded two or three times, to a whole bunch of people each time, and there was no originator's name attached, so I guess I am legal in putting it here. I think it is so true! and so priceless.


After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:

Let me see if I've got this right.
You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their distruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their "T"-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.
You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and secually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self-esteem and personal pride.
You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.
You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.
You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish, or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.
You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.

You want me to do all this, and then you tell me . . . .I CAN'T PRAY?

Thank God for teachers who ARE still willing to try to do all these things.

And, on the outside back cover of this month's Country magazine, I read "IT ISN'T WHAT GOES INTO YOUR MOUTH THAT HURTS YOU -- IT'S WHAT COMES OUT OF IT."