May 02 2008
Schools and teachers
The schools in our area are really nice in terms they don’t indicate winners nor labeling losers. I learned this at the nursery. During my first parent-teacher meeting, I naturally asked how my child was doing in the class. The female teacher looked tensed and informed me she didn’t know [ya right, she didn't know] since they didn’t keep track that way. I thought my mid/high school in Beijing would list the testing scores at final, from the winner at the top down to the loser at the bottom. The colleges in the US do that, so why do the lower schools follow the suit too? Within every group there will only be one winner and one loser. So why avoids the issue? Shouldn’t we let the kids know where they stand, and that if they don’t try hard, they’ll be the loser listed on the bottom? See Gates’ Rule no. 8 - if you have no qualm of telling kids that life is not fair, why not letting them taste it? I’d rather my kids be prepared to face the world early on. Saving rain forest and aiding Africa are great endeavors but they’ll have to be able to survive on their own before they can help others. Correct?
I just got this summer camp’s mailing from school. Going to summer camp is a big tradition in this town. Many parents send their kid on sleep away camps as early as second grade. When Golfer attended the school here, summer camp at school was free and now they’re charging up ward $990 ($840 for early bird) for five weeks of 3-hour day - this is the rock bottom price among other camps. But one of the booklets list the tuition as no fee if you get written recommendation from the counselor or principal. Who’s the fortune to enjoy free summer camp? Let’s check out Gates’ Rule #8 again. The no fee camp is called Intervention Program. Leave no kids behind? Just wondering IF you make them pay, may be the parents or the kids would try harder?
Last week Pumpkin argued with her teacher openly at class: after spending better part of time exampling drinking and driving is dangerous, the teacher asked the students one by one, if they’ll drink when they grow up. All said no till it’s Pumpkin’s turn who said, "I won’t get drunk but sure I’ll try it when I’m 21." Teacher’s face hardened.
"Didn’t you heard what I just said few minutes ago?"
"Yes I did."
"And you’ll go out and drink?"
"Yes I will."
The class became very quiet and the teacher walked closer to Pumpkin, "I repeat, drinking is bad .. drinking and driving is dangerous .." Someone’s missing the point.
"I won’t drive if I drink .. and I won’t get drunk .." Pumpkin stood her ground firm.
"No, drinking and driving is dangerous .." The teacher insisted. Pumpkin shrug her shoulders and looked away.
"Did you just roll your eyes?" The teacher rose her voice.
"No, I did not."
"I saw you .."
I’m so glad that Pumpkin didn’t give in under the pressure, from her teacher. Obviously the brain wash didn’t reach the effect the teacher expected. Keep in mind that thirteen years old can actually think on their own. Why would any one on earth telling the teenagers drinking is bad? Yes, drinking and driving is dangerous, but drinking, especially wine itself is an enormous pleasure in life, that I truly hope my kids would come to appreciate as much as I do. This kind of teaching is really beyond me, looked very foolish. I think that many kids get drunk as soon as they reached the drinking age, perhaps is from such theory that alcohol is bad for you. Rice/bread can harm you if you over do it! Many reckless but sober drivers cause traffic accidents every day, so do we tell the kids not to drive??? The teacher needs to come up with a better reasoning, and picks better topic.
Is this just my narrow perception or the truth that American youth and young adults view getting drunk as a sport? Lots Chinese do too. I’ve never met an European that take drink to get drunk. There are always bottle of wine set on the table at most restaurants in Europe, especially in Italy, drinking wine is part of life, which rightfully correct. Perhaps teach the kids the truth and right way to consume may spare them getting drunk later on in life? Drinking has nothing to do with driving.