Sunnye

Sorry, galvestonangel, but prayer is NOT allowed in school just so we won't disrespect others AND to adhere to the basic teachings of the founding of our government: SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.
How would you feel if we had a "christian" prayer every day at school/work/wherever, and you are Jewish or Muslim or Hindu or atheist? That 'little act of prayer' tells you that you are different. Where's the tolerance there?

TanyaL

I have 2 children who have taught for 20 years and they are adament in that the biggest impediment to a child's learning is the home environment. Parents who send children to school hungry, without 8 hours sleep, who do not know if their child can read much less understand the lessons, who do not keep a drug and alcohol free home, who do not keep a safe home; the list is endless. Parents who do expect the child to stay in school during the day or even to go to school. Parents who do not want their children to have a better life than they have. And unfortunately these problems are not limited to any one economic status. Schools now need to teach all the subject matter they always taught plus what used to be taught in the home and church. How much history can you teach in one session if that day you need to address bullying or an issue brought up by the assault of a student? In the schools where there is a large number of illegal aliens there are cultural issues that frequently interfer with a child's learning. Unfortunately, the illegals are not the educated citizens of another country and frequently do not have an understanding of how to help their children learn and being illegal they keep a low profile, which means they do not go to school to meet with teachers, etc. The problems facing many teachers are overwhelming.

Kim Bohannon

that is too funny! thanks for sharing

damaquilts

Iraxy.. This is so true. I do not buy the teacher is Always right(like when I was a kid) but it has gone the other way now where the teacher is Always wrong. I know my child will do whatever they can get away with ... I always laughed at the parents that said MY child would never do that so it must be ??? ..... I also know people who stopped teaching because it was more crowd control and paper work then teaching. Sad. Also it is sad that these sports figures get paid more than teachers. And they get away with things that no teacher would in a million years.

Stitchit123

The teachers are teaching-the kids choose not to learn... As the old saying goes -You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink -

TanyaL

If kids live in a home where learning is expected and a way of life, not limited to what is presented in school, then learning in school is not an issue. I feel so very sorry for children whose parents don't teach them by taking them to museums, to see different geological features, to see ethic celebrations, to church, etc.. who read to them when they are little, who have required reading when they are older, who teach them gardening, auto repair, home repair, etc. We did all of that. It made for a rich, full, interesting life with our family and they are doing it with their children and grandchildren. Learning is a way of life that must be enjoyed.

joyce blint

Hilarious! Thanks for sharing!

Kas

I just have to say something here. There is no seperation of church and state in the constitution. There is freedom OF religion. The first amendment states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEROF (emphasis added); or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." And yes, there are many schools that provide a time and place during school hours for Muslim students to pray. Fact. It should be all or none.

Sunnye

First Amendment to the Constitution; Separation of church and state is meant to protect all of us.
But if you force children to pray in school, you are denying the right NOT to pray, NOT to engage in any religion, which is the same as forcing them to "practice" YOUR religion. That's why people left England; they did have a religion, it just wasn't the king's religion and he said that wasn't allowed. What if MY "religion" is being an atheist? And prayer is not always the answer anyway. Actions are what counts in the real world. Prayers are for your own peace in private.
Aristotle said, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."

Now, we've been serious for too long here over something that was meant to be humorous. Shall we move on and agree to disagree? If no,t we should probably move this discussion to some political blog. Holy cow, I don't want to go there!

wildyard

LOL, my daughter is also a teacher and I know she is thrilled when she meets parents who take an active interest in their child's education. At the same time, she is very involved and active in her children's education and schools. She has a star student and an "I don't know and I don't care" student as her own children. How does this happen? Same family, same home environment, same involved parent and same schools and teachers. My question is rhetorical. It happens because each child is unique and individual and there is no one right answer to any of the problems and issues.

I also know that I can be made to stand quietly and listen to one or 100 people pray in any faith they choose, but not for one second can anyone anywhere force ME to pray. I also know that if I want to pray, no one anywhere can stop me from doing so. Since when is it only possible to pray if it is done in a designated time and in a spoken voice? No one can take prayer out of school or anywhere else as we each can pray anywhere and anytime we want.