Spring is always associated with the notion of getting out and enjoy the outdoors. It is no wonder that the National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is celebrated during this time. The dichotomy is in the fact that while the Olympics and Super Bowl draw record numbers of television viewers, the masses seem to limit their physical activity to exactly that - watching others do it!
The Herald (Scotland - 5/17/11) reports that the numbers of students in Scotland walking to school is steadily declining despite Scottish Government attempt to promote physical activity. The latest survey found that only 45.8% of school children walked to school while two decades ago it was 62%. This is in contrast to walking being stated as the most frequent for of active travel among youth. The upside is that slightly more students cycle to school (2.8%) compared to 2.3% in 2008. Needless to say the the number one reason given by parents is the fear for the safety of children. This is not unlike the United Sates and a similar barrier for the national Safe Routes to School program.
The British Heart Foundation recently published a survey showing that 73% of students are interested in learning first aid at school that included cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It continues that more than three-quarters of parents support such teaching. According to the BBC (5/15/11), there is a push to make first-aid part of the national curriculum.
If spring is the start of your push to be more physically active, sign up for the President's Council challenge at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/ and record your progress at no cost. It's fun!
Michael Cordier
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Teachers - Dedicated to Serve
While turmoil circles the daily lives of teachers in the form of budgets, curriculum changes, accountability and various learning models, they continue to show up in class every day to do what they do best - teach children. This dedication to the improvement of other people's children, sometimes at great personal sacrifice, is something not quite well understood by those who lack the passion to teach. Every teacher will admit to a single moment in a classroom or conversation with a student where their life's work is made all worth it. The very reason why they at times suffer abuse from parents, administrators, politicians, and at times, unions. Most parents will admit it is tough enough raising their own brood, never mind 30 others such as theirs.
But how deep does this dedication run? The China Post (Apr 26) reports that teachers in China is concerned about a new law that will limit their work day to eight hours a day, five days a week, beginning in August. Teacher say the new rule is unacceptable because teaching often requires working additional hours. If they are forced to stop working it will leave students unattended. Wow!
This article highlights several issues:
1) Teachers in China consistently work more than eight hours a day, often more than five days a week. They do not have a three-month vacation as is the case in the USA;
2) Students are spending eight hours or more a day, with these teachers - year round;
3) Incredible discipline on the side of the students to maintain an academic workload;
4) Academic performance at school guarantees entrance to the top universities across the world;
5) Global competition is of paramount importance for these students and teachers.
This is underscored by an article in the Daily Mail (London, Apr 28) that reports the number of foreign-born students enrolling in Britain's private schools has increased by 44.4% since last year. About one-third of the students are from China and Hong Kong. As USA states cut back on education budgets and have holds on employment opportunities, one wonders how this will impact the ability of our students to compete globally. With furlough days in several states these past two years due to budget cuts, the gap seems to widen between progress in emerging countries and the status quo on the home front.
As we show appreciation for our teachers let's not forget what other nations are doing to prepare their students for the future.
Michael Cordier
But how deep does this dedication run? The China Post (Apr 26) reports that teachers in China is concerned about a new law that will limit their work day to eight hours a day, five days a week, beginning in August. Teacher say the new rule is unacceptable because teaching often requires working additional hours. If they are forced to stop working it will leave students unattended. Wow!
This article highlights several issues:
1) Teachers in China consistently work more than eight hours a day, often more than five days a week. They do not have a three-month vacation as is the case in the USA;
2) Students are spending eight hours or more a day, with these teachers - year round;
3) Incredible discipline on the side of the students to maintain an academic workload;
4) Academic performance at school guarantees entrance to the top universities across the world;
5) Global competition is of paramount importance for these students and teachers.
This is underscored by an article in the Daily Mail (London, Apr 28) that reports the number of foreign-born students enrolling in Britain's private schools has increased by 44.4% since last year. About one-third of the students are from China and Hong Kong. As USA states cut back on education budgets and have holds on employment opportunities, one wonders how this will impact the ability of our students to compete globally. With furlough days in several states these past two years due to budget cuts, the gap seems to widen between progress in emerging countries and the status quo on the home front.
As we show appreciation for our teachers let's not forget what other nations are doing to prepare their students for the future.
Michael Cordier
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