bracelets

I wore one for a long time... Livestrong, after my father passed away from cancer ten years ago. I still have it. Now I wear his watch as a testament to his always wanting to be on time. The newest bracelets come in all colors and all causes. They are generally a great way to get a message across, raise some awareness and a few dollars to promote a cause. We are sponsoring an Autism Awareness event in April over at Meadow Breeze Park, might be a good idea to promote that cause with bracelets....

In this bracelet scenario, I just have a hard time thinking that the words on the bracelet represent the cause in the eyes of middle school and elementary students; to some it may. However, at this level of educational development, emotional maturity and social development, the words used in this instance, I feel, are not appropriate. They might cause a disruption to the school day and if so, should be dealt with appropriately. I enjoyed the Easton Express-Times editorial this morning that focused on the school's duty to promote order and to enforce policy and rules. Sometimes it is difficult on those who violate the policy, but the lesson is learned.

In this case involving the ACLU, the message is clear. If life becomes difficult because you have to follow a rule or a policy.... sue those in power! Take away valuable $ that could go to instructional support and throw it away to defend your right to violate school policy. Life is full of rules and many of us have faced the frustration of having to follow them. In this case the remedy is go to legal proceedings so that we can say "it is ok! you won't have to deal with frustration. We will make it go away" Not a good message for our students to learn.