The Future of our Children is Bright...but How Can We Make it Brighter?

This past Wednesday I had the opportunity to visit Lindley Middle School for a teacher workshop. Tens of students ranging from fifth to tenth grade were on hand to help with the experiential training. These students volunteered to participate. Yes, they all gave up days of summer vacation to do the unthinkable…return to school.

What kind if student would do this?

Cobb County students. South Cobb students. These are the students that we have verbally written off when we say the schools out here in South Cobb are bad, or poor-performing.

When we make these comments we act almost as if our children do not attend them. We act as if our neighbor’s children don’t attend them or anyone’s children. These children are our future and from my observation on Wednesday their future is bright.

As part of the workshop students asked me questions about bullying.  In one discussion with fifth graders they spoke about how they thought verbal, physical, and cyber-bullying were each uniquely different and damaging. When I spoke to a group of middle schoolers they assessed whether bullying should be punishable based on whether the bully's actions were unreasonable versus whether a bully had reason for his or her actions. I was surprised by such legal analysis! Needless to say I walked away thoroughly impressed by the maturity of their insight.

My positive impression of these students was contrasted that evening and each evening that I meet voter after voter that express concern about the quality of schools in South Cobb. Some residents have stated that they are considering moving or that their neighbors have already moved because of the schools.

So my questions is: What makes schools good? 

I know one thing. Leaving our schools will not help the schools, especially if those children who are leaving have parents who are concerned enough about their children’s education to move. 

To those who are considering moving or moving their kids to private schools please tell me is it too late to turn the tide?

And to those who are keeping their children in South Cobb public schools what can we do to help our schools? How can we make our chidren's future brighter?