Spirit Cancelled
(In response to how our "Matchmaker" activity (which is a survey, and matches you with others at school, as a valentines spirit thing) got cancelled, because some questions "does not promote character development".)
I'm not understanding my school's administration. So the purpose of the administration's actions are to do what is in the best interest of the entire school and the entire community. In this case, because this activity does "not promote character development", this would ward an activity that is essentially "useless".
But of course, that would make sense on an obvious scale. Not promoting character development = useless = doesn't forward the school in terms of reputation towards the community and the board or anyone.
I think the administration is a bit too caught up with the technicalities of how everything makes them look (self-conscious? as in a bad developed character? oh the irony). I remember the time when the administration used to include the wants of the students in their decision making process, even if it is reasonable (which most things are). But nowadays students have no influence.... at least with our administration.
Now let's compare this to an activity that DOES promote character development. Throw one up for example... how about the Leadership Conference (once known as Supernova)? Oh wait, that would be a horrible example, being that this program designed as a great way for promoting character development is... nonexistent. Let's try another example... ... hmm, can't think of anything.
So how about hypothetically. Let's say that there is some sort of day where character development is an event's key purpose. How about if Student Council has a Spirit Day, called the "Perseverance Day!" or the "Optimism Day!". Now as students, how do you feel this event will run? In all honesty, even if students ARE some how hyped up about these events (which is next to impossible), will it actually make a difference in terms of actually developing character? Are students going to become more optimistic with everything they do in life, because "Student Council tells them so"? Let's think about that one.
Now what happens if we have events at school, for the sole purpose of just creating good, clean fun. Like Autumnfest for example! Does hitting each other with spirit sticks, or doughnut eating contest really do a difference on one's character? No. But does it make a difference in school, where student mindsets are changed about how they see this standard boring institute? Maybe by giving students something besides standard academics, and boring "character development" exercises, they might actually enjoy school. And hey, students wanting to enjoy school wards many things! The most important thing for administration is positive image they've created. Hey, RHHS students love coming to school and learning, and being the top trained kids academically and have a great time at school! That looks good to me. And hey, if students are actually wanting to come to school everyday, doesn't that sound a bit like optimism to you? Oh no, and isn't optimism a "character" that matters? Oopsie daises, seems like school spirit accidentally promoted character development in a way that... works.
If the Matchmaker thing was actually still on, definitely I would have something to look forward to. I'll actually want to come to school that day, regardless of what test/midterm/exam/eut/essay/etc I have to do.
It's great to keep everything in line by treating school like a corporation, but even corporations have some sort of employee appreciation.
School can be fun again. It's possible. But aren't we pushing a bit too textbook way of promoting character development? What works better: when a teacher reads off a sheet of paper and gives you a definition, or if he/she actually shows it to you.
Show, don't tell.
"Take care of the customers, and everything else will fall into place." - Lee Iacocca
I'm not understanding my school's administration. So the purpose of the administration's actions are to do what is in the best interest of the entire school and the entire community. In this case, because this activity does "not promote character development", this would ward an activity that is essentially "useless".
But of course, that would make sense on an obvious scale. Not promoting character development = useless = doesn't forward the school in terms of reputation towards the community and the board or anyone.
I think the administration is a bit too caught up with the technicalities of how everything makes them look (self-conscious? as in a bad developed character? oh the irony). I remember the time when the administration used to include the wants of the students in their decision making process, even if it is reasonable (which most things are). But nowadays students have no influence.... at least with our administration.
Now let's compare this to an activity that DOES promote character development. Throw one up for example... how about the Leadership Conference (once known as Supernova)? Oh wait, that would be a horrible example, being that this program designed as a great way for promoting character development is... nonexistent. Let's try another example... ... hmm, can't think of anything.
So how about hypothetically. Let's say that there is some sort of day where character development is an event's key purpose. How about if Student Council has a Spirit Day, called the "Perseverance Day!" or the "Optimism Day!". Now as students, how do you feel this event will run? In all honesty, even if students ARE some how hyped up about these events (which is next to impossible), will it actually make a difference in terms of actually developing character? Are students going to become more optimistic with everything they do in life, because "Student Council tells them so"? Let's think about that one.
Now what happens if we have events at school, for the sole purpose of just creating good, clean fun. Like Autumnfest for example! Does hitting each other with spirit sticks, or doughnut eating contest really do a difference on one's character? No. But does it make a difference in school, where student mindsets are changed about how they see this standard boring institute? Maybe by giving students something besides standard academics, and boring "character development" exercises, they might actually enjoy school. And hey, students wanting to enjoy school wards many things! The most important thing for administration is positive image they've created. Hey, RHHS students love coming to school and learning, and being the top trained kids academically and have a great time at school! That looks good to me. And hey, if students are actually wanting to come to school everyday, doesn't that sound a bit like optimism to you? Oh no, and isn't optimism a "character" that matters? Oopsie daises, seems like school spirit accidentally promoted character development in a way that... works.
If the Matchmaker thing was actually still on, definitely I would have something to look forward to. I'll actually want to come to school that day, regardless of what test/midterm/exam/eut/essay/etc I have to do.
It's great to keep everything in line by treating school like a corporation, but even corporations have some sort of employee appreciation.
School can be fun again. It's possible. But aren't we pushing a bit too textbook way of promoting character development? What works better: when a teacher reads off a sheet of paper and gives you a definition, or if he/she actually shows it to you.
Show, don't tell.
"Take care of the customers, and everything else will fall into place." - Lee Iacocca
1 Comments:
Update: It turns out the questions on the Matchmaker were pretty much "vulgar" (in my opinion), so it's understandable that it got cancelled. But none-the-less, the main principle in this rant on how our administration is being frustratingly controlling on everything else, remains true.
Post a Comment
<< Home