Part 1 of a Series
The country and the world have started to recognize the need to get more sustainable. There is a swell of enthusiasm to 'get Green'. The new green economy is being created.
All of these are wonderful things that have tremendous implications on our economy, our society, our way of life. The move to become more sustainable also has a tremendous impact on our schools. Primary and Secondary schools are just starting to get their arms around how to teach and live more sustainably. They are looking for new ideas, models and leaders to enhance the educational experiences and prepare America's children for the world that they will inherit.
Sustainability isn't just about teaching students what it means to recycle, or that global warming is a real event. Teaching sustainability means teaching about complex problems like energy interdependence, materials management, carbon neutral development and the geopolitical struggle to slow global warming. These are issues that cross between math, science, history and politics. They require our young people to learn more about the worlds around them, both natural and man made.
Schools as institutions are struggling with how to be more sustainable as well. It is not good enough to teach these important lessons without learning to live them as well. Schools new and old are exploring options to renovate or build with a smaller footprint. They are striving to be more energy efficient in their operations, food service programs, athletics and transportation. There are great success stories and tales of falling short, but they all have value.
Moving forward this series of posts titled 'The Greening of America's Schools' will explore the current state of of sustainability in our schools and identify some of the great ideas that are out there to try in your community. While I have a stack of story ideas for this series I am interested in hearing from all of you. Send me your stories, long or short about how green or not so green your school is. Maybe I will build a post around it.
The path to building a sustainable future is long and arduous. Together lets take the first steps to see far our schools have come, and how far they have to go.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Let's get to WORK!
Hey folks.
So the inauguration happened. Obama is in the Oval. Bush is hanging down in Texas. The equilibrium of the world has shifted, somehow closer to center. All is moving from wrong to right. Right?!? Wrong!!!
The pomp and circumstance is over. Now it is time to roll up our sleeves, strap on our boots, pick up our tools and get to WORK! This election wasn't about change we can watch on TV. It was about changes that we all need to make, every one of us. Some big changes, some little changes, but all important changes.
OK, so here is my first list for each of us. A few simple things you can do to start to make a real, lasting change in education in your community.
1. Go to school. But wait, I graduated, why do I need to go to school? Seriously, go to school, any school in your community. Check out the state of affairs. See what the schools are like in your neighborhood. Do they need help? Are they doing well? See it with your own two eyes. You can arrange a tour or visit during an open house. Perhaps come to a public event like a game or performance. Go check it out!
2. Respect your teachers. The teaching profession is one of the least respected professions in the world. These people are instilling knowledge, creativity, rigor and a love of learning in our youth. Show some respect for the profession. Acknowledge the work required and the value of their time. They deserve at least that much.
3. Find out who is running the schools in your community. School boards are made up of publicly elected officials. Some of these people are wonderful community activists focused on the right moves for the schools. Others have special interests in mind. Find out who your are voting for and why by attending a school board meeting, reading their minutes (often published on-line) or going to meet with them individually. These people make important decisions that will impact your community for decades to come.
4. Write a letter. Tell someone that they are doing a great job, or a terrible job. Reach out to an administrator, teacher, coach or counselor who is making an impact either positive or negative in your local schools and share your opinion. If you feel strongly either way share your thoughts with their supervisor too. Your words will make a difference.
5. Get involved. Volunteer to tutor. Attend a PTA meeting. Become an assistant coach. Help clean up the school. All of these are wonderful ways to give a few hours, but create a lasting impact. Pick something that fits your interest and you will get both satisfaction and results.
OK those are some of the low hanging fruit we can all enjoy. Send me some of the best ways you know to make a difference in your community schools and I will continue to expand this post.
Let's get to WORK!
So the inauguration happened. Obama is in the Oval. Bush is hanging down in Texas. The equilibrium of the world has shifted, somehow closer to center. All is moving from wrong to right. Right?!? Wrong!!!
The pomp and circumstance is over. Now it is time to roll up our sleeves, strap on our boots, pick up our tools and get to WORK! This election wasn't about change we can watch on TV. It was about changes that we all need to make, every one of us. Some big changes, some little changes, but all important changes.
OK, so here is my first list for each of us. A few simple things you can do to start to make a real, lasting change in education in your community.
1. Go to school. But wait, I graduated, why do I need to go to school? Seriously, go to school, any school in your community. Check out the state of affairs. See what the schools are like in your neighborhood. Do they need help? Are they doing well? See it with your own two eyes. You can arrange a tour or visit during an open house. Perhaps come to a public event like a game or performance. Go check it out!
2. Respect your teachers. The teaching profession is one of the least respected professions in the world. These people are instilling knowledge, creativity, rigor and a love of learning in our youth. Show some respect for the profession. Acknowledge the work required and the value of their time. They deserve at least that much.
3. Find out who is running the schools in your community. School boards are made up of publicly elected officials. Some of these people are wonderful community activists focused on the right moves for the schools. Others have special interests in mind. Find out who your are voting for and why by attending a school board meeting, reading their minutes (often published on-line) or going to meet with them individually. These people make important decisions that will impact your community for decades to come.
4. Write a letter. Tell someone that they are doing a great job, or a terrible job. Reach out to an administrator, teacher, coach or counselor who is making an impact either positive or negative in your local schools and share your opinion. If you feel strongly either way share your thoughts with their supervisor too. Your words will make a difference.
5. Get involved. Volunteer to tutor. Attend a PTA meeting. Become an assistant coach. Help clean up the school. All of these are wonderful ways to give a few hours, but create a lasting impact. Pick something that fits your interest and you will get both satisfaction and results.
OK those are some of the low hanging fruit we can all enjoy. Send me some of the best ways you know to make a difference in your community schools and I will continue to expand this post.
Let's get to WORK!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Letter to Henry
Dear Henry
Today is a historic day. Today we usher in a new set of promises, a new breath of hope. Today we inaugurate a new president.
Henry you will never know what it means to when we talk about the first black president. You may never really understand what racial tension was in our country. When you hear stories about the slavery, the civil rights movement or the daily challenges of race, you will probably look at all of us and say things like 'why didn't you do something about it?' or 'how could you let that insanity happen?'. I expect we will all be better for it.
Henry you will probably only ever read about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in history books, or watch them on TV just as I did with Korea and Vietnam. You probably will not really understand why we felt so strongly about taking the first steps into those countries, or why we are embarrassed by those wars now. I am hopeful that we will be better for that as well.
Henry you may never know the economic bluster and wealth of the last thirty years or the great crash of the past eighteen months. You may grow up in a time of temperance, regulation and challenge, but prosperity is in your grasp. You may look to the adults around you as fools playing with the prosperity of their children. I know that we all must be better for it.
The promise of America is not won or lost in elections. It soars in the eyes of our children, the strength of their parents and the foundation of a community built on shared experience and faith in humanity. Today promises a deep breath of that hope into the lungs of our economy, our government, our very society.
Mr. Obama takes office today. We wish him good fortune, wise council, temperance in the face of oppression and strong action at times of need. We wish him good luck as well, for we could all use a little of that today.
I tell you now that the only gifts I have are the strength of my hands, the sight of my eyes and the size of my heart, but they are all that any of us will need to care for our communities, our families and our loved ones.
Do not put your dreams on the shoulders of our leaders, but lift our leaders on the strength of your good works. In our times of trial there are no silver bullets or lottery tickets. Only sweat earned by honest work can be the currency of today. Let us all trade in that enduring market of honest efforts and shared success.
Son, today is a special day. It is a day of hope and healing, promise and community. Today is a day that I look at you and find the strength to work a little harder, care a little more and dream a little bigger.
With Love
Your Father
Today is a historic day. Today we usher in a new set of promises, a new breath of hope. Today we inaugurate a new president.
Henry you will never know what it means to when we talk about the first black president. You may never really understand what racial tension was in our country. When you hear stories about the slavery, the civil rights movement or the daily challenges of race, you will probably look at all of us and say things like 'why didn't you do something about it?' or 'how could you let that insanity happen?'. I expect we will all be better for it.
Henry you will probably only ever read about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in history books, or watch them on TV just as I did with Korea and Vietnam. You probably will not really understand why we felt so strongly about taking the first steps into those countries, or why we are embarrassed by those wars now. I am hopeful that we will be better for that as well.
Henry you may never know the economic bluster and wealth of the last thirty years or the great crash of the past eighteen months. You may grow up in a time of temperance, regulation and challenge, but prosperity is in your grasp. You may look to the adults around you as fools playing with the prosperity of their children. I know that we all must be better for it.
The promise of America is not won or lost in elections. It soars in the eyes of our children, the strength of their parents and the foundation of a community built on shared experience and faith in humanity. Today promises a deep breath of that hope into the lungs of our economy, our government, our very society.
Mr. Obama takes office today. We wish him good fortune, wise council, temperance in the face of oppression and strong action at times of need. We wish him good luck as well, for we could all use a little of that today.
I tell you now that the only gifts I have are the strength of my hands, the sight of my eyes and the size of my heart, but they are all that any of us will need to care for our communities, our families and our loved ones.
Do not put your dreams on the shoulders of our leaders, but lift our leaders on the strength of your good works. In our times of trial there are no silver bullets or lottery tickets. Only sweat earned by honest work can be the currency of today. Let us all trade in that enduring market of honest efforts and shared success.
Son, today is a special day. It is a day of hope and healing, promise and community. Today is a day that I look at you and find the strength to work a little harder, care a little more and dream a little bigger.
With Love
Your Father
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)