By Staff
I heard something on the radio the other day that really upset me.
Target has refused to stop selling the new video game that is about bullying.
Bullying in our schools is something our superintendents, principals, teachers and parents have been fighting.
It is bad enough that the company that produced this game has no concern for the victims of this action by other students. They are out to make money, period.
The big box stores already make enough money.
This is the time they can really show the communities where they are being supported by customers that the good of these youths is more important than making even more money.
Sure for some, these are just games. Not every one is going to go out and steal a car after playing a video game.
But what really is the true purpose of kids being shown bullying other students?
Just recently, our nation has seen the heartbreak of three school shootings.
The aftermath is these actions have caused young people to be fearful in a place where they should feel safe.
I remember when my son was pushed down every day in preschool by a bully.
Was he ever stopped, or did he grow up to use his fists to win his battles?
Encouraging bad behavior with this game is like putting the tools or playbook of how to make others miserable in these students' hands.
How sad is that?
We all need to declare bullying wrong. We can support our school policies against bullying.
We can commend those who stand up for the underdog.
We can also let our big box stores we fail to see the merit in their decision to stock this game which can only be detrimental to our youth.
This week I also attended a community forum in Cassopolis looking at facility needs in the district.
Many of our area school districts are facing the same problems of deteriorating buildings, unsafe conditions and poor security.
Lighting for good learning is also lacking.
In one building, students had to walk through two other classrooms to reach a reading area.
I know how hard it is for the newsroom staff when people from other departments walk through on the way to get coffee.
Can you imagine little first- or second-graders paying attention to their teacher as another class passes by?
For years when funds were lacking, many school districts put off repairs and improvements. Now they have reached a point when it looks like solutions are overwhelming for the problems have magnified.
The school districts need to address these changes.
Buildings must have a way of directing all visitors first to a central reception area, without allowing for strangers to roam the halls.
Heating and cooling systems need to be updated to assist with proper learning. Being too hot or too cool isn't conducive to paying attention.
Students shouldn't have to cross traffic when dropped off at their buildings or when boarding buses.
No one wants their taxes to go up. In these economic times when many are living on a salary which hasn't increased while expenses have, more taxes are another burden which can't be handled by many.
Still chicken and spaghetti fundraiser dinners are like Band-Aids when the arm has been cut off.
We need to work together to find actual solutions.
First of all, we can support community sessions where the superintendents, principals, staff and school boards are educating the community to the individual problems in their district.
They are dedicated to the students and education. They know they aren't going to be popular, saying what needs to be done and how much it will cost. Still, they would be unworthy of their positions if they just let the problems slide for the next people in those roles to deal with.
Get involved.
Attend the information meetings – for our kids.