Thanks to All!

Last Wednesday was Grandparents' Day at Harriet Bishop! Hundreds of grandparents and special guests filled our gymnasium and classrooms throughout the day to participate in dancing and other activities. There was a sort of magical flow to the day from beginning to end.

Thank you to all of you who attended, all of our volunteers who helped make the day special, and to our staff, especially Mrs. Perry, for coordinating the activities of the day!

Grandparents' Day complements our approach at Harriet Bishop. We believe in helping kids to grow in all facets of their lives - honoring the past, making the most of of the present, and contributing toward a better future. What better way to do that than by bringing generations together in the school!

The Wealth Gap and How It Affects Children

I saw the following article and felt compelled to share it. It comes from InvestMN (Implementing a New Vision to Educate Students for Tomorrow in Minnesota).

International academic rankings of U.S. schools often disappoint us when we consider those rankings (test scores) in isolation. In truth, those rankings may not only give us a narrow profile about how our students do in school, but may more importantly be an indicator of how our students are supported (or are not supported) out of school.

A 2010 UNICEF report ranks 24 of the world’s wealthiest nations in three key areas that appear to be linked to the academic outcomes for kids.

Numbers to know and share:

• In the category of our children’s material well-being, the United States ranked 23rd of the 24 wealthy nations.

· 20% of American children live in poverty
· More than 40% of American children live in low-income housing.
· Over the past decade, the percent of impoverished children has grown by one third.

• On measures of health, U.S. children ranked 23rd of the 24 wealthy nations.
• On measures of education, the U. S. ranked 19th among the 24 wealthy nations.

Although there are other variables, such as which students are tested or language and cultural alignment, there appears to be a strong correlation between the support children experience and the academic accomplishments of those children. (The preceding data is taken from Ken Mitchell, The School Administrator, October, 2011.)

The changes in average household income for Americans over the past three decades have increased the wealth gap, and therefore, the childhood well-being gap.

Numbers to know and share:

• The bottom 80%t of average household incomes have remained relatively constant.
• The top 20% of household incomes have doubled.
• The top 1% of household incomes of have quadrupled.
• The top 20% of Americans own 80 percent of the wealth.
• The bottom 80% share the remaining 20 percent of the wealth.

A Pew Research Center study – based on U.S. Census data – revealed growing wealth inequity between races that has occurred during the current recession (Perspective: Tricia Rose on America’s growing inequality, July 29, 2011). Considering the correlation between socioeconomic status and school success, this is a clear and compelling threat to the future prosperity of our country and our state.

Numbers to know and share

• Median wealth in white households has dropped 16%.
• Median wealth has dropped 53% in African-American households.
• Median wealth has dropped 54% in Asian households.
• Median wealth has dropped 66% in Hispanic households.

Often our means as a state or nation is referred to as if it is a static number—never to change in response to the needs or dynamics of our evolving circumstances. We talk about means as a limitation – “we must learn to live within our means” – but rarely as an opportunity to invest in a more prosperous future. In reality, our means are defined by politicians, often to reflect a specific political platform including how much and who our lawmakers are willing to tax.

Research has shown, confirmed, affirmed and reaffirmed that the best possible investment of our tax dollars—with the greatest monetary return—is in early childhood education. Research also shows that high school and college graduates will earn more, contribute more and experience greater life-time success than non-graduates. We will all be richer if we take seriously our constitutional responsibility to provide a high-quality and equitable education to all of our children, and if we logically invest in the fundamental support systems necessary for those children’s success.

We will not have the means to sustain our quality of life as a state or a country if we do anything less.

Excitement Builds

I'm feeling that sort of nervous excitement an athlete feels before a game, a student feels before a big test for which they are prepared, or what some of you might feel at 11:59 p.m. on Thanksgiving - just before the Black Friday frenzy begins. No, it's not for any of these reasons, however. Instead, it's because so many people will be coming through the school in the next week.

On Wednesday we are hosting Grandparents' Day at Harriet Bishop. I'm excited for the activities our teachers and students have planned when our grandparents and special friends come to the building. Cross-generational celebrations and learning opportunities bring past, present, and future together. It is fun to hear conversations that start, "When I went to school..." or "Did you do something like this when you went to school?" The school will be buzzing with excitement as we expect well over 800 people to visit us on Wednesday!

Next Monday is the first of two parent informational nights for families looking to join our school community next year. Word has definitely spread about the terrific and innovative things we are doing with our students at Harriet Bishop. Each year parents attend these nights filled with questions. Connecting with each of you is a passion of mine, so please don't hesitate to ask questions that night or anytime (952-707-3900)!

The Ripple Effect: It’s Not Just About You

by Joe Cavanaugh, Founder & CEO of Youth Frontiers

October 2011

www.youthfrontiers.org

The scene: a local high school hockey game. A kid on the ice pulls a cheap shot on another player and gets a penalty. While on the way to the penalty box, the kid swears. The kid’s father is sitting behind me and I overhear someone say to the dad, “Don’t worry; it’s not a reflection on you.”

Pardon me, but it is a reflection on the dad. Often our parental peers dismiss the behavior of our kids in situations when said behavior is clearly not representing the community’s or the family’s values. The truth is, it is a reflection on you and your family because your child has your last name.

You may have heard me talk about the African idea “ubuntu,” which, translated from the Bantu languages in southern Africa, means “I am because we are.” For me, this concept highlights that although we are individuals, we are highly connected to those around us. It is easy to forget how dependent we are on others, especially those people close to us.

My wife and I tell our daughter, “Your name is Tess and you are the only Tess in the world.” At the same time, we tell Tess that her last name is Cavanaugh. Having this name means that you represent a set of values, and a family that lives out these values. Your behavior does not just impact you – it ripples out and affects your mom and I, and how people look at us and our family. Its ripple affects your grandparents, your cousins and many others. In other words, it is NOT all about you. You have a responsibility to live well not only for you, but for those you are in relationship with. Tess Cavanaugh, you are because we are.

The ripple effect of our behavior means that acting without character could have a tremendously negative impact on people we work with, people we love and people who depend on us. On the other hand, think about how our positive decisions could change lives. Our actions that strive to help, heal and love others create just as strong of a ripple as our negative actions. I tell this to Tess at home, and we here at YF tell this to kids every day on retreats. We all have the power and the responsibility to create a positive ripple effect… because it’s not just about you.

Exercise:

This month, talk to your kids about what your last name, or family name, represents. What values does your family use as a guide post and why?

© 2011 Youth Frontiers, Inc.

This article was reposted with permission from Youth Frontiers.