Vampire Slayer

Bully busting today.  Bullying is systemic.  Today, in school\, I called two boys during the general assembly.  I asked the whole school to see and not just look at the humans in front of them.  These two boys were bulled repeatedly in spite of the school's efforts to form and reform.

One was a gentle giant and the bully was a classmate who was only up to his chest.  The other boy was tiny for his age and his nemesis was a boy who is twice in height and mass.

The school is "pro-kid" but against bullies- child or adult.  Everyone is enjoined to protect everyone from enjoying his place under the sun without the torment from bullies.

These two boys were empowered by the mere act that they were given attention by the whole school.  I saw in their faces a newly assumed strength and the assurance that they are under our protection.

It was a perfect morning and the slope where we meet every Monday was awashed with sunlight.  Nobody hides from the open sky.  Bullies have no dark corners where they can lurk and pounce on their prey, yet they can do it in broad daylight if we let them.

The NItty Gritty of Learning

The HedCen's Science Expo is about the journey every child undertakes in the avenues of self discovery. I hope that in the process of making a grade, the child sets himself up to transcending perceived limits, and therefore the rung of indolence and procrastination, becomes the ladder to self improvement and a more positive self understanding.

I hope that the parents see the greater reason behind this and use this activity to model positive and productive mentality- that to spare your child from the yoke of labor is an utter underestimation of your child's ability to conquer adversities.  Please take an active interest on your child's activities, help him with time management, provide basic needs and tools, then back out and leave the rest to him.

I have encountered parents who in their zealous ness created a situation more complicated than being parents.  These are some of the ocassions in school where activities such as this expose the "stage parent syndrome" from our otherwise great parents.  Too much control and meddling can be dangerous because it does not allow the child to learn to live using his own skills.    

The teachers or the mentors on the other hand should take a very active role in facilitating not only knowledge but life skills by  paving the way to learning and discovery without the least intention to "just make it happen" leaving the child cold and judged in the middle of this challenge... that a child's failure to meet the highest degree of accomplishment is a question that every teacher should address himself and be accountable for.  I believe that a mediocre teacher produces a likeness of himself among his students while an excellent teacher would want every child to "win"!