A Note of Thanks

Below is but one simple note of thanks that we receive at this time of the year as we've made our delivery of student supplies to the various CPS and Harvey IL schools. In many respects such simple notes are all the justification one needs to acknowledge our great donors and volunteers and their concern for others. To realize the sincerity and warmth with which our donations are received means so very, very much.

Hi Mr. Flesher,
Just wanted to let you know that the backpacks arrived here at Jensen sometime last week and to thank you and your organization again for your generosity!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Thanks to one and all,
Dick

More of the School Safety Commission

Here's my take on things with regard to the School Safety Commission headed Ms. DeVos the Secretary of the Department of Education. There are some positives among them the fact that there have been numerous meetings of the commission as well as a number of stakeholders weighing in.

Here's my biggest beef. If the charge (which it is) is to look at school safety then ALL points need to be on the table including all issues with respect to firearms. Why? The commission is a result of a firearms shooting at a Parkland High School. So it simply makes sense that firearms would be investigated in full as part of the work of the commission.

To ignore any discussion of firearms is simply wrong.

Dick

The Federal School Safety Commission

The good news is that Ms. DeVos, the Secretary of Education, has convened the School Safety Commission on a number of occasions this summer. There have been many witnesses to the four person commission including the Attorney General. There have been a wide range of opinions and thoughts regarding school safety put forth.

I'll get into more of these in the next day or two. At least two things seem clear from my examination of the reports that come out of the meetings; first, there seems to be a growing consensus that a type of 'citadel' - a strong fortress - is being touted. Also, the idea of arming teachers or other personnel has some attraction to the commission.

One thing seems evident to me...there seems to be little chance that the Commission will look at 'gun control' as it pertains to schools and school safety. This is an interesting/confusing juxtaposition in that the Commission might well arm personnel in schools but doesn't want to look at 'gun control.' Seems to me that they ARE dealing with the issue, dealing with it by potentially allowing guns to be out of control!

Dick

A Drop in Dept. of Educ. Funding

I always think it is important to be steeped in facts in order to be informed prior to rushing to judgement or making any assessments. In looking at the Department of Education funding going into 2019 I have noticed that the budget has been slashed by over $3 billion from the 2017 level.

As we have more students involved in education, both public and private, with a greater demand for all types of additional services, it seems to be a black mark that doesn't bode well.

Though the U. S. Dept. of Education is but one element of the total funding in the country, the 5% reduction is bound to harm various programs. In fact, beyond the drastic reduction in funding, the department is also looking at 'streamlining, eliminating, or reducing 39 programs.

For this educator I am saddened at this unfolding news.

Dick

More on the Dept. of Education

The possible use of federal Dept. of Education funds to purchase firearms for schools has certainly stirred some controversy and it's not the first time Secretary DeVos has found herself in the cross hairs of controversy. The complaints have been many and over a good portion of her tenure.

Ms. DeVos has been quiet on the proposal to severely slash the department's funding. She's also not weighed in on the Administration's proposal to merge the Department of Labor with the Department of Education. Her silence on these issues has sent a chilling warning to the education community at large.

This past spring Ms. DeVos found it difficult to ease peoples concerns about the Dept. of Education not doing enough to stop 'abusive practices' by companies serving student loans.

Together, these controversies and others have not only shed a light on Ms. DeVos' ideas but they have put many education initiatives in peril. Hopefully, the vigilance of many in Congress and within the education network will serve to head off any harm.

Dick

DeVos and the Gun Issue

Apparently the Secretary of Education, Ms. DeVos, is considering using funds from the $1 billion Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant to arm teachers with guns in the nation's classrooms. Now this should come as a major shock for any number of reasons not the least of which is this...most children would be all the more upset and fearful.

There is another reason why DeVos' consideration of putting guns in the classroom is wrong. Just this past March the U. S. Congress passed the School Safety Bill which expressly prohibits the use of the money to put firearms in schools. It seems clear that our House and Senate don't want monies used for the purpose of arming school personnel.

One can only hope that Ms. DeVos will take a much more serious look at the many ways of improving school safety absent putting more firearms in our schools.

Dick

Dollars Do Matter

Those who strongly support and believe in public education are well aware of the need to have a broad curriculum including all of the electives. You name it; Music, FACS, Art, Physical Education, Foreign Languages, Tech courses and Shop and the answer is the same...they are invaluable to the growth of each student.

Here's where I'm going with this. If the above is indeed the case - and it is - then dollars DO matter!!

You can't provide a comprehensive public education on the cheap. Yes, I realize dollars need to be spent wisely. Prudent use of taxpayer dollars is critical. But to those who lament something along the lines of 'we're just throwing good dollars after bad' miss the point.

The mind and the growth of an individual is best fostered by providing a world class education. Anything less and we are shortchanging the children.

Dick