Letters to the Editors
Organizing against library closings
To the editors:
Last year when Victory Schools Inc. took over my school, Bethune Elementary in North Philadelphia, just about the first thing they did was eliminate our librarian in the name of saving money. As a teacher, I was appalled at this action; the library had been the heart of our school community.
Faculty and staff members were able to argue successfully that they should keep our librarian on staff, and she became the writing prep teacher, teaching writing in the library. But even with a librarian on staff, Victory told us they were turning our library into a multimedia center...with no librarian. So now children can visit our multimedia center, but with no one there to teach them about literature or information literacy.
Distressed over losing our library, we have learned that we are not an isolated case - this is happening throughout the city. (For a treat, visit some private schools and see what resources they pour into their libraries.)
Studies by Keith Lance prove that student achievement is directly related to well-staffed, equipped, and funded school libraries. The time is now to invest in our libraries and librarians.
We have recently broadened our organizing efforts to include any Philadelphian who feels that libraries and librarians are critical for our schools' success. Our first meeting was last June, and we plan on coming together again this fall. Individuals concerned about this issue are encouraged to contact us at 215-848-6081 for more information.
Karel Kilimnik
karlitakat@aol.com
Students don't have to say Pledge
To the editors:
This past summer witnessed quite a moment in Pennsylvania history! No sooner did the National Constitution Center open in all of its glory than we are treated to a stirring, practical lesson on how our First Amendment rights can be better protected or restored.
I speak of Judge Robert Kelly's federal court ruling striking down Pennsylvania's obnoxious law requiring the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance by public and private school students. The judge made a particular point of upholding students' rights of free expression.
This is the same law gleefully approved by all but one or two state House and Senate members last year in a fit of patriotic frenzy. As usual, we can thank Rep. Babette Josephs for her courage and integrity in opposing this legislation. Thanks also to the persistent and clear-headed people of the ACLU who handled the court challenge. They all deserve our financial and moral support.
Readers of the Notebook may have already seen this law for what it was: an assault on the First Amendment, on the constitutional right of dissent and a bad example for democracy in the schools. The law purported to teach patriotism by forcing the pledge recital and exposing students to ridicule and harassment (or parental sanction) when they refused to go along. Judge Kelly saw this as a requirement that "would chill the speech of certain students."
I hope readers will monitor how the ruling is being honored in our schools. We shouldn't be surprised if certain administrators and their political allies choose to ignore the court's decision in the name of a "higher patriotism." It may take greater vigilance on the part of students and teachers who truly respect the Bill of Rights.
Jack Malinowski
Philadelphia, PA
Marketing to a captive audience
To the editors:
Every parent is aware of how successful corporations are at marketing to children. When children enter stores, they are immediately drawn to the colorful displays of their favorite characters pitching their favorite toys. Parents have always served as the guardians of their children's purchasing habits.
But corporations today are trying to bypass parents' protective eye by appealing to children at locations where children are a captive audience, but there are no parents around - in our schools.
Schools are subjecting children to advertising and product placement in search of dollars to make up for budget cuts.
Channel 1 is a television news program shown in many schools. In exchange for televisions and cable connections, students must watch Channel 1 and any corporation that chooses to advertise on it. Children not old enough to evaluate an advertisement become victims of the advertising.
Coke and Pepsi have sought lucrative deals with the schools in order to sell more products. John Alm, CEO of Coca Cola, has stated, "The school system is where you build brand loyalty."
Schools are where children are sent to obtain an education. The drive to make a profit should not replace classroom instruction. The principle that corporate America can tell teachers what to do and when to do it is not a principle conducive to good education.
Our schools now need parental involvement to assist administrators in making decisions that will result in positive educational outcomes.
Keith Newman
Philadelphia, PA