Today has been a day of contrasts, where the haves and have-nots
intersect. I started my morning at my
children’s elementary school. I was
meeting with the librarian and a group of other parents who will be coaches for
this year’s Reading Olympics program. So many parents volunteered to coach, the
librarian had to turn several away. If
our little school has a need, parents line up to meet that need. Pretty lucky.
And easy to take for granted.
My next stop was at a local warehouse club. I filled up the cart with fruit, granola bars
and water, fulfilling a request from a PE teacher at a school just a few blocks
from our church (for more about the neighborhood around our church: Neighborhood) He called our church, and the request
was sent to me. He is organizing his
school’s participation in International Walk to School Day (you can read more
about that here: http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/). Funny, I had always assumed that the kids in
this neighborhood lived in close enough proximity to the school to walk. For various safety reasons, they ride the
bus.
This particular school is one that several individuals in
our congregation have made concerted efforts to spend time volunteering in the classroom. It is one of the schools that did not receive
full accreditation, missing benchmarks in both English and math. Contrasts.
I started my drive about 6 miles north of this school on Chamberlayne Road at
my children’s blue ribbon, parental presence everywhere, to another school off
of Chamberlayne Avenue that is struggling in every way possible. Low testing scores. Very little parental involvement. Kids in unpredictable living situations. Kids who come to school hungry every day. Certainly not a place where kids are ready to
start the day learning. Contrasts.
I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately. How my children’s school really doesn’t need
ME, another can jump in and fill my spot.
My absence really wouldn’t be noticed.
If we are all truly investing in our children, ALL of our children, the
haves and the have-nots, perhaps we should invest some of our energy into those
schools who truly need us. I am still engaged in my own children’s lives, but
my absence at their school is probably not going to impact their
education. But, what difference would my
presence at a school in dire need make?
And, imagine the example that sets for my own children…
So, I arrived with my vanload of snacks, and there, at the
edge of the parking lot, in a grassy area, no track, no soccer fields like the
blue ribbon school I had just left was this PE teacher with several of his
students. They greeted me with such
enthusiasm. They were all eager to help
me unload the car. The teacher reminded
them to use their manners, but this group remembered on their own. They were excited about granola bars and
apple slices. I can’t remember the last
time my own children were excited by those things.
This PE teacher, he is so young and so energetic. The kids respect and like him. I thought to myself, "I hope he doesn’t burn
himself out.” One way to prevent burnout
is for people to get involved and help.
He shared that he has recently begun a before-school running club and
has 50 regulars. 50! He needs help: adults to cheer the kids on,
adults to run with the kids. Huh. I
run. Didn’t I say something about hoping
someone would trust me enough to run with me recently? Bravery Huh.
That sounds like God speaking pretty loudly to me. Stay tuned…
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