WINTER 2012 Edition

Email: vsciacca1@optonline.net
Website: scca.homestead.com

SUNSET CITY MEMBERSHIP DUES: Remember to support the many advertisers that offer us discounts. Check out some of the new advertisers in our newsletter. Send $5.00 for your new membership (2012 thru June 2013) if you haven't already, to Sunset City Civic Association 630 Interlaken Lane, North Babylon NY 11703 and make check payable to Sunset City Civic Association. I want to thank those of you who remembered to send in your dues, this was our best year.

GARAGE SALE: We are planning a garage sale on Saturday June 9th and Sunday June 10th 2012 - 10Am to 3pm. Anyone interested in participating contact me by phone 631-242-2443 or better yet, e-mail me at vsciacca1@optonline.net

---

NEW FEATURE: UPDATED DAILY
Free content by Fresh Content.net
USA NEWS

POLITICS NEWS

FINANCIAL NEWS

NFL and NBA SPORTS NEWS

EDUCATION

COUPONS / FREE STUFF

If you would like to see a special daily newsfeed, please contact us and we will add it if available.

---

THE CHALLENGE OF AMERICAN EDUCATION TODAY: BY VINCENT SCIACCA

    The crisis in American education is due, in part, to the notion that all students need to be prepared for a academic degree oriented university education. The fact of the matter is, not all students are geared for a rigorous academic curriculum. This is not to say that those students should not be encouraged to pursue academic excellence. However, there is a need in society for other fields of endeavor and students should be given the opportunity to explore careers that will maximize their full potential and interests.

    There is a need to elevate vocational educational opportunities to a level which rivals that of the current focus on an academic based career only. Our society needs to de-stigmatize hands-on creativity, craftsmanship and gold old fashioned American ingenuity. After all, America's economic and innovative greatness is based upon the credo "necessity is the mother of invention".

    Other industrialized nations have followed America’s previous focus of steering qualified students into vocational education. As a result, they have produced some of the world's greatest craft persons in all fields. In these countries, the skilled worker is as respected and in demand as all others.

    Some states, like Massachusetts, have made forward strides in addressing the solution. They have what is called "Regional High Schools" which are supported by surrounding districts. They offer "Vocational Training" to students which offer a wide variety of courses ranging from computer technology and repairs to carpentry. Students are also given the core curriculum of English, math, science etc., with special emphasis on those topics related to their specific need. For example, if a student is studying auto mechanics, the math he/she learns is related to that field. Advanced calculus might be useless and soon forgotten by that student. These schools have their own athletic teams, administrative staff, etc.

    Unlike today's Boces here, where students attend part-time regional high schools and spend much time traveling back and forth, these schools are self contained and are maximizing their student's abilities, while maintaining their interest in career oriented education. Self contained focus schools also stop the "musical chair" disruptive syndrome of transporting students back and forth between schools. Boces could easily be re-tooled to handle this innovative, (but not new) learning direction. Years ago, in New York, it worked well. As has happened many times, the advice.. "If it ain't broke don't fix it", fell on deaf ears.

    Today's students need more options. We still need the proverbial rocket scientists, but, we also need someone to build and fix the rocket when it breaks! As commissioner of education Mills said, "All students can learn". No one can dispute that. However, WHAT WE TEACH THEM AND HOW WE MAKE WHAT WE TEACH THEM RELEVANT TO THEIR LIVES IS THE CHALLENGE OF AMERICAN EDUCATION TODAY!

---

SCHOOL UNIFORMS: BY VINCENT SCIACCA

    Most administrators agree that uniforms aren't a cure-all, but in most cities that have tried a uniform dress code, the results are very impressive. Before implementing uniforms, Whittier Elementary in Long Beach, CA., had one of the lowest attendance records in the district. After three (3) years of uniforms, its record is among the highest. In Kansas City, MO., the reputation of Martin Luther King Middle School was among the lowest in the city. After four (4) years of required uniforms as part of its Latin Grammar Magnet Program, the twenty (20) year old school had shown a dramatic turn-around in attendance, test scores and school pride.
    Schools using uniforms to address chronic problem. Most students agree with the notion that wearing uniforms to school solves many problems. As one 11 year old student at Cherry Hill Elementary in Baltimore explained, "When you wear street clothes, you can get in fights about what you are wearing."

    Avoiding fights, easing peer pressure, whatever the hoped for outcome, many districts around the country are trying school uniforms as a way of avoiding disciplinary problems. Wearing uniforms is voluntary at some schools. They encourage, but don't require, students to dress the same. Other schools mandate uniforms.

    Today students, in an effort to "not be different" pressure their parents into buying expensive designer clothing so that they can be "like everyone els". Instituting a dress code has been a way that some parents have reacted to the above mentioned situation. In essence parents have said, "Enough, let's bring some sanity to this situation".

    Unwelcomed guests can be easily identified by their lack of a uniform.

The common thread that seems to be apparent in most academically successful schools, such as Charter schools, Catholic schools, and private non-denominational schools is wearing of school uniforms.

    It is my sincere hope that the P.T.A., School Board Trustees and Administration will consider the adoption of a district wide uniform dress code.