Parents: Read the letters here
--Tim Law
►Expectatations that Parallel Society: Some Tips for New Teachers
--Tim Law
►Raising the Bar for our Children
--Tim Law
--Ana Bermudez
►Bullying: The "New" Social Disease
--Kathy Hersh
--Geneen D. Massey
►Tips For Parents, Caregivers and Educators
--Aleida M. Menendez
--Aleida M. Menendez
►How Can I Help My Child to Become a Successful Reader?
--Mrs. Mimi Rutland
►Open House: A Message for Parents and Teachers
--John DeMartin
Raising the Bar for our Children
By Tim Law
Perhaps the biggest challenge we have in our nation today is the "mind pollution of the young." Due to a variety of cultural influences, our children are literally bombarded from all directions from a number of violent and explicit sources. All of this exposure is taking place at much too young an age for many kids to absorb and comprehend.
Much of this material is coming from the Hollywood/Entertainment field who care little about our black, white, yellow, brown and red children but only cares about the GREEN (as in money)! Today's parents have to be incredibly vigilant with the continuous onslaught in all directions of this material and do their best to protect the young, impressionable minds of their children.
What does the Hollywood/Entertainment field say? "If you don't like it, turn it off!" This is a sad commentary coming from them because their lack of responsibility and concern is unconscionable! Turning it off when we are flooded from so many directions is not an easy thing to do but one that a good, vigilant parent must make if their children are to have a chance at a happy, healthy childhood and life.
The key suggestion here is to raise the bar on your standards as a parent on what you will allow your children to be exposed to. Please do not get caught up in the weak argument that kids have to learn about life sometime. Make that sometime well off in their future when their minds have matured enough to handle some of the negative material. Continually monitor what your kids are watching on TV, online, music, movies, etc. Talk to other children's parents about what their standards and expectations are as well.
Always tell your children how much you love and believe in them and encourage the highest standards of conduct and behaviors from them. Do not compromise your high parental standards! Even when it seems "everyone is doing it!" There is a very high price to pay for low standards. Set the bar high! Remember, you are the parent! Be the parent, not their buddy!
Your children are worth it and will thank you someday!
Tim Law
Middle School Social Studies Teacher and Coach
Formerly at Hancock Central School-NYS
Eastern Guilford Middle School-NC
Coach and Consultant-Success Learning Systems
York, PA
tlaw5@yahoo.com
717-332-1689