Hank, Margie and Clio ran in the annual one mile Harrison Classic race. Margie is the most reluctant participant but finished and was award a prize for her effort. It is a beautiful city of trees medal that is not the normal plastic. Margie loves it,  the neck trophy is made of a shiny gold metal. Could not be prouder of her vocabulary.

The kids go to a new elementary school in Boise and it is a wonderful place. A new gym, great play ground, and a large grass field for any type of sports. Parents at the school are very involved and the activities are well planned, advertised and supported. One of the ideas was a cake sale where  each class was challenged to bring the most cakes for the eventual sale. One class had over 60 cakes and I hear the total K-6th grade classes brought over 300 store purchased cakes. (You can’t bring home baked goods to school any longer) On Monday and Thursday the grandkids stay at school from 3:15 to 4:45 to participate in SoleKids, a running club.  Organized by one of the teachers it is well attended with running interspersed with stretching, games and snacks.  You get the idea that the students are so lucky to be at a new facility, with passionate teachers, and supported by engaged parents.

I attended a Principal Partners event sponsored by the Idaho Business for Education and participated on a panel with my Partner who is now a Quad leader in the Boise School District and previous Title I program manager.  One of our panelists is the principal at a grade school where over 90% of the students receive free and reduced lunch. There are over 20 different languages spoken and a few of the students have no one to translate for them as they work to master English. Resources are scarce and parents would not be able to provide an abundance of cakes for the bake sale. I understand the teachers bring the same commitment and passion to their students although in a very different environment.  I don’t think we can ever adequately pay or recognize teachers in our public school system for the difference they make in so many young lives.

IBE has an excellent website that tells the story of their mission and work. I hope you will find a minute to look at idahobe.org. The job is to prepare tomorrow’s workforce. You can learn about durable skills that will be critical to future success. Early education is proven to be a good predictor of later personal outcomes, third grade reading proficiency is a must so that students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Math skills are fundamental to many career paths, you can see how Idaho’s children compare to the rest of the nation. You can partner with a Principal, have your company sponsor a school, provide ambassadors to talk to legislators about key issues, provide apprenticeship opportunities for high schoolers.

 

> I spent a bit of time around a group of teachers after the panel I described and it was inspirational and informative. What do they worry about? Just like the business world, not enough qualified teachers in the system and losing those leaders to other industries and out of state. So many children without parental support or role models creating many behavioral issues that the system is not prepared or trained to adequately address.

 

Sorry, I am rambling a bit but our public education system in Idaho does a fine job in spite of the lack of adequate funding. It is not perfect but we must be vigilant of those who want to weaken or destroy it in favor of vouchers, private schools, and misinformation.  Please ask your legislative candidates for their knowledge of and positions on public schools.

Let me know if you have checked out the IBE website and I will send you a medal.  Mike