Tag Archives: children

January 6, 2013 · 11:38 am

School Cafeterias How Clean Are They?

coventry-highIn this age of instant communications and politicians claiming they want transparency, maybe it is time that school cafeteria health inspection reports are posted on the websites for local schools.  What would prompt such a proposal?

School administrators and elected officials are fond of telling us how they want to communicate and provide information to citizens and parents about our schools.  There is an inherent responsibility to disclose the good and the not so good information, so that all stakeholders have a complete picture.

When recently surfing the internet some interesting information was found concerning Coventry public schools, as well as other schools across the state.  Most schools are required to have 3 or 4 cafeteria health inspections per year and some communities such as Stamford post some information on line.

While the information found is from the year 2010, it makes you wonder just how we are doing today.  For some, the following information may be disturbing in content, for others it may be more disturbing that it was never discussed openly and they were kept in the dark.

First the good news, Coventry Grammar School cafeteria was nearly perfect with two scores of 100 and one inspection with a minor floor issue.  Congratulations to their staff for a job well done.  Now it is unfortunate that the other schools in town did not fair quit so well.

While there were some issues of mold related to ceiling and cooling fans at G. H. Robertson during the first two inspections by December the 5th all was corrected.  Not only did it receive a perfect score at that time but also a special notation of a “Very well organized and clean kitchen” was included.  So far things are pretty good, but there is more.

At Captain Nathan Hale School during the first inspection on January 12, the following violations were noted:  utensil drawer needs cleaning; inadequate sanitizer; dirty, rusted shelves with a score of 93.  During the second inspection on May 5 things got a little worse, the score dropped to 89 and more violations were found: floor under washer needs cleaning; some mold; some dented cans; sanitizer inadequate.  Then on November 15, the score was 91 and the following items were notated: washer rusted and paint peeling; mold in walk-in refrigerator; washer temperature being evaluated.  It is obvious that this was not a perfect situation but it offers guidance for corrections and is informative.

Now Coventry High School cafeteria is another story that may have you a bit more concerned and may prompt you to want health reports posted on-line in the future.  On January 12, the report indicates a score of 91 and violations of:  cutting boards marked up by knives; need replacing; storage room floor needs cleaning; bleach spray is not to be used on food contact, only for sanitizing.  On May 5th we find the cutting board issue has been ignored and the violations read as follows: dusty fan; broken sink valve; floor peeling; cutting boards are knife marked and should be replaced.  It is the next report on December 5 that is most disturbing, the site FAILED INSPECTION because of a 4 point violation “mice had chewed through three bags of gravy mix; two traps in dry storage room had dead mice in them; need to get a pest control company to evaluate mouse issue”.  Now do you suppose the mice ate through the bags that morning and jumped into the traps just before the inspectors got there, or do you think somebody let things slide?  What would the situation have been if the inspector had not been there on December 5?  Coventry High School required a 4th inspection two weeks later on December 19th when the score was 99 and the  ”kitchen appeared to be much more organized and clean today”.

So there you have it, a bit of health inspection history for Coventry schools.  Does it make you think that maybe in this day and age of technology that such reports should be posted on line?  There is nothing to hide, after all the information is public record just not conveniently available.

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December 19, 2012 · 9:00 am

Arrested Child Development A Parental Problem

2 girlsTimes have changed and student interaction is learned on a different level than it was a generation ago.  There has been a basic change in the development of interpersonal communications and behavior.

Today in our schools teachers are commonly called upon to address perceived actions of a bully.  Teachers are not only teaching but acting as arbitrators, negotiators and counselors to resolve student conflicts. Why are we seeing this changing role of teachers?

It is not uncommon today for children to spend their leisure time centered on computers, television and isolated video games.  A generation or two ago, children would be found outside actively engaged with other children.  Sandlot games of baseball and football were a common sight and with them came interpersonal experience.

Children in the past learned to communicate and resolve issues on the playgrounds and backyards of the neighborhood.  They learned to cope with rejection, hard feelings, conflicts and they did it themselves.

Today without the experience of youthful interaction, when the reality of life hits the children of this generation with negative emotions they are more likely to seek guidance or resolution with the intersession of an adult.  They don’t know how to cope with the feelings and emotions of negativity.

Contributing to the lack of development is the “helicopter parent” hovering over every aspect of life to assure their child is protected from any upsetting emotional experience.  Too many parents in attempting to protectively nurture their children actually deny them the experience to learn the coping skills of real life.

Watching a child grow can be a trying time for the parents.  The tears of an emotionally hurt child are equally upsetting to a loving parent.  It is easy to react as a parent protector and intercede to “fix” the hurt, but it doesn’t always help in the development of the child.

It should be noted in families with closely aged siblings there is natural conflict arising from time to time that isolated children never see or experience.  Those trying times of family life are actually a natural teaching tool ultimately providing valuable life experience.

The solution for better childhood interpersonal development skills is not found in supervised sports leagues or books it is found only in the experience of real life.  It is found in conflict and hurt feelings, it is found in the school of hard knocks.

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December 17, 2012 · 9:04 am

A Time To Trigger Action

AP Photo

The President pauses during his speech at Sunday interfaith vigil in Newtown CT. AP Photo

A vigil to remember fallen children of God was held in a public high school with prayers and words from numerous religious leaders.  Make no doubt it was a sad occasion where tears fell upon the floor.

While the messages of condolence and prayer were spoken from leaders of Muslim, Jewish and Christian congregations, in the words of world religions we are all children of God.  Twenty Eight of God’s children perished on Friday in what can only be described as a horrific tragedy.

Yes twenty eight died but only twenty six of the twenty eight were being remembered.  Are not all of them God’s children?  Is the pain any less for a parent to lose a child based on the cause of death?  Was the mother of Adam Lanza any less of a victim on this day?  Does her family hurt just a little less?

In every religion represented at the vigil we are reminded about life, and the imperfections of mankind.  We are taught a responsibility to watch over and guide the weak and frail among us.  Our role on earth to propagate, nurture, and protect the children of God is well documented in all faiths.  I can recall no readings of scripture that would tell us to consider the souls of one more important than another.

It is our responsibility as children of God to forgive, as well as too remember and so it is, that a vigil and prayers would be appropriate for the young and innocent as well as all the other children of God found among the dead.

The deaths of twenty eight people may not have been from the movement of a trigger finger as much as the mental misfiring of a synapse.  In the eyes of religion there can be innocence where mankind sees only questions, revenge and hate.  It is not for us to judge.

President Obama delivered a speech much of which was words of scripture and yet neatly scripted were words of political overtones calling for change.  On this solemn and somber occasion reaction in newsrooms suddenly turned to gun control. At a time set aside as vigil for the departed the spotlight of reflection and commentary turned toward the impending political actions of a President, it was a message for another day.

When the day comes to talk of change will we face the root cause of our societal problems that foster outbreaks of violence, and suffering or shall we deny reality?  Can we continue to mainstream God’s children with mental challenges hoping they will not someday act out to harm themselves and others?  Can we put aside political correctness and deliver meaningful care and treatment for the mind?  Can we concentrate more on treating the triggers in the mind than regulating the fingers on the trigger?

Too often we see death not from the gun in the hand but from the hand on the gun.  The guilty shall be those responsible to care for God’s children and fail to act appropriately.

The innocent are not only the little children of God.  Innocence can be found among the ashes of dreams in the minds of the ill.  Forgive them for they know not what they do.

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September 17, 2012 · 12:25 pm

School And Driver Safety A Concern In Coventry

Coventry is falling behind in highway maintenance and it could contribute to accidental death or dismemberment.  Accidents happen, but the community recognizes that fact and invests money on traffic control signs as a preventative measure.  The investment however is compromised if the signs are not properly visible.

A recent drive from Main Street to South Street on Cross Street was troubling and potentially dangerous.  The street where G. H. Robertson School is located, a street where safety should be of particular concern, sight lines for safety signs are compromised and in some cases rendering the signs nearly useless.

Below are pictures of what a driver’s experience may be as they proceed along Cross Street.  Not all drivers are familiar with the street and these signs are there for safety reasons, signs paid for and installed with our tax dollars.  These are not the only signs in town with sight line issues.  This is only one example near a school on a highly traveled road and it should have some priority and attention paid to it.

You may leave your thoughts, observations or ideas for improved safety in Coventry by entering your comments below.

 

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September 10, 2012 · 9:49 am

Coventry Schools Ranked After Test Results

Each year the State of Connecticut test students to measure the impact of our educational system.  Here are the results for 2012 for Coventry CT.

Out of 164 school districts Coventry ranks 79th placing Coventry in the top 50%, this ranking is based on an average test score of 76.6.  To achieve a ranking in the top 50 the average test score required was 80.1

So how did Coventry do at the various grade levels and where are the problems and where are the best performances?  Below is a copy of the test scores as reported by the State of Connecticut indicating the percentage of students performing at or above goal in each of the subjects and grades tested.

Grade              Math                Reading           Writing            Science

3rd                   78.2                 75.8                 73.5

4th                    82.6                 75.4                 73.2

5th                    81.4                 77.4                 56.7                 70.2

6th                    83.6                 87.6                 75.8

7th                    81.3                 88.3                 88.3

8th                    81.6                 92.8                 86.1              82.6

CAPT TEST SCORES

Grade              Math                Reading           Writing            Science

10                    47.0                 63.6                 81.6                 57.6

Some observations and questions based on the results:

While reading score were a bit low on the 3rd grade level the steady progress and end results is admirable.  One has to question if the ability is there why the results are so relatively low in the early years and is there a weakness in the foundation of reading learning that can be addressed earlier?

Writing scores seem to follow a lagging progression with the reading scores and one anomaly in the 5th grade results which needs some additional explanation.  The 5th grade writing score somewhat distorts the overall test score average to the low side and does not necessarily reflect on the true quality of education in Coventry.

The math scores while consistent show little progress in actual performance growth and the CAPT test score of 47.0 at grade 10 is troubling.  This is another area that should be further explained or addressed.

While test results are not the final say or measure of a student’s ability to learn, retain or perform they are one of the tools to measure our educational system and the information is important to evaluate.  There are questions that will come to mind as you look at the results and listening to your Board of Education address the issues.

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November 11, 2011 · 6:00 am

The Value Of This Day For Children And Veterans

Our memory of events can be fleeting or forever embedded in our mind, for most local residents the recent loss of electric power will be long remembered.  No internet, no television, no water, no heat, no showers and flushing toilets required water, life was tough.

Many people complained, there was outrage, oh the inconvenience; but something was missing there were no concussions, there were no bullets intended to kill us, heck we could even go to a warm shelter and get meals.  We were lucky we were home, safe with family and when the power came back on life was back to normal we will have no long term mental of physical scars.

When men and women of our military are engaged in the defense of our country it is not something they will be forget; gruesome memories of suffering, carnage and death will forever be their burden.  They will spend many days without power, many days under hostile fire, many days away from family but you will not hear outrage, and whining.   No these men and women are serving their country; if they return alive they will be “our veterans”.  They missed time with family, births, deaths, and weddings but they served with honor.

Today is set aside to remember and honor those veterans.  There is no treasure more important than time with family and this is a day when children can have a day off school to share with a veteran.  It’s not about the kids this time it is all about the veterans, fathers, uncles, aunts or grandpas.  Veteran’s Day is a time we can give them back a day to share with family in return for a day they lay in the mud away from their family dodging bullets for us.  It is time set aside for them to have and share with the next generation and a day when all of us should set an example by showing honor to those that have served.

The most powerful teaching a child ever receives is the real life experience they live.  It is our responsibility as parents to provide them with an understanding and example of what it means to honor our veterans. Our children must learn why we bestow the honor of this day to those that served.  Veteran’s Day is so important that we have set aside this day for a life lesson outside school, a day that means so much more than a day in school set aside for a class trip to see a play or visit a park.

Making up a day of school it trivial compared to making up for the time lost by a veteran away from home in hostile territory with their life on the line to protect our way of life and defend our nation.  Veteran’s Day is a small honor for great service.  Learning to honor and respect the service of our veterans  is a life lesson worth teaching to the next generation.

Pictures provided on this page were taken at Veterans Memorial Park in Coventry, CT

 

For more from the Opining Quill about the history of Veteran’s Day click on this link http://wp.me/pPLAn-8j

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September 11, 2011 · 11:12 am

Two Mothers, Two Memories, One Nation

Two mothers, two generations apart, two sunny mornings, one tragic memory, in an instant their lives would change forever and the nation would be shocked.  Two days that were suddenly etched into the minds of every American.

It has been only ten years since that sunny morning of 9-11 and yet the mere mention of the date brings a vision of the burning towers and tragedy that soon followed.  We remember classmates and friends that were lost on that sunny morning but the pain of memory is deeper for the mothers of those that were lost.

The grief and emotional scars of losing a child are always deep and a mother’s memory never fades for the loved one she has lost.  Today the mother’s with the most tragic memories of 9-11 will once again be reminded publically of their lose.  It will not be an easy day.  Their dreams were shattered, their memories are clear, they have not forgotten, but today will be harder than most.

Today there will be special ceremonies, today it will relived on every newscast, today they cannot escape the pain and television will bring it all back so vivid.  Today we as a nation will be once again be reminded of that sunny morning; we will each recall the moment we learned of the attack.  Many of us will recall times spent with those lost.

As a nation we responded to that day ten years ago with great patriotism, flags were flown across the nation, people gave more consideration to their neighbors and life slowed down for a period.  We were galvanized as a nation, we were one people, and we were all Americans.  We said, we would never forget those that died that day and today we will once again remember them.

That sunny day on 9-11 was a tragedy and for this generation it will be remembered, it will be remembered by the mothers, our nation has said it will never forget.  Memorials will be dedicated and time will pass.  New mothers will have to pass the memory of this day to future generations.  Will we remember that sunny morn and the totality of that day on our nation?

Remember the opening words above, “two mothers, two generations apart, two sunny mornings, one tragic memory”.  Today one of those mothers is no longer with us as her time on earth is gone.  Her son was only 19 on that peaceful sunny morning but she never forgot Dec. 7 1941.  She remembered how America was attacked, how it galvanized a nation.  She remembered the memorials, and her pain never went away.  She remembered when her great granddaughter heard her mention Dec. 7th and asked what was special about that day.  Our nation had forgotten.

Our children had not learned a lesson about a sunny morning and how the peaceful day was suddenly broken, dreams and lives gone forever.  She had not forgotten, her pain remained but time fades a nation’s memory.

Today is 9-11 and we will remember at least for now that day ten years ago.  In fifty years will this nation still remember?  Will the mothers of today pass on the memories to future generations?

Two mothers, two sunny mornings, two tragic events, as a nation we must remember.  We should never forget those shattered dreams and broken lives, we must pass those memories to the next generation.

Two mothers, two mornings, remember them today and pass the memory forward.

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June 28, 2011 · 7:07 am

Children, Memories And Family Moments

Sometimes moments of reflection bring forth incredible observations.  When tragedy strikes it comes without warning.  Sometimes it changes your perspective, this is a story about just such a time.

It had been months since his son had died; a son that had brought such great joy and pride to a man’s heart.  A recent high school graduate, now a college student with a promising future, and suddenly he was gone.  The memory will never dye and the hurt will scar the heart forever his observations and interpretations have taken a dramatic turn.

Here it is June and he finds himself in a fireworks tent sitting and watching as the register rings and people get ready to celebrate the birth of our nation.  In a low voice he breaks the silence with pearls of wisdom.

In almost a whisper so as not too disturb any one he says, “See that father and daughter, over there and the lady on the other side with the little boy and little girl they are what makes fireworks so very special.  What is going on here is so much more than shopping and fireworks.”

He went on, “I have been watching for over an hour as people come in, most with family members, all are smiling and happy.  There is excitement in the air, they are shopping together and talking about a family gathering, aunts, uncles, grandma, friends, relatives and neighbors coming together to celebrate and light the fireworks.”  He paused, looked me straight in the eye and said, “There is no other product that promotes family bonding like fireworks, and there is no other product that brings families together to shop for it with the anticipation of gathering folks together to share in the joy of being a family celebrating together.”

He continued, “Christmas is special and the tree is nice but it doesn’t do what the fireworks are doing to promote family bonding based on a single product.  Almost everyone here has told a story about family memories from childhood and the role fireworks played in those memories.”  He was right on and any one that has spent time selling fireworks has seen this phenomena.

Fireworks bring a special glow and excitement to children’s eyes, men become little boys and moms feel the joy and warmth of family gathered around her.  Thirty or forty years from now the toys of Christmas, a video game and an ice cream cone will be forgotten but the family memories of fireworks and the Fourth of July will still bring smiles and reminiscence of good times.

Yes the man had it right you can’t put a price on family fun.  In the grand scheme of life a few more dollars on fireworks is a small price to pay for a lifetime of memories, and smiles.

The above story is based in reality the site was a fireworks tent in Bolton, Connecticut.

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June 11, 2011 · 11:07 am

Children, Parents, and Voters Depending On Leaders Hear Echoes of Failure

Leadership in any position carries with it responsibility no matter the position, no matter the organization, people depend on the leadership skills of those in charge to set direction and make decisions that will impact the group.  When leadership fails or falters the echo reverberates throughout the organization.

Elected government leaders hold a special responsibility, it is one of trust.  They have been placed in office with a valued piece of our culture, the right of the people to vote.  The voters have bestowed an honor, and burden of responsibility that should be held in the highest regard by those chosen to serve.

In government at all levels there is a special obligation resting on the shoulders of leadership.  It is an obligation to speak for and to protect the people they represent, to speak for those that can not or those that fear the podium.  Too often individual bias, special interests, and political posturing destroy the voice of reason in government.

Government leaders are human and prone to error like all of us but that is not an excuse for consistent failures of leadership or abdication of responsibility.  It happens at all levels government but it is most apparent on the local level because we are able to closely observe the process.

We have seen in Coventry the government attempt to take land from a citizen because they can, only to have a single elected leader question the process and restore the land to the owner.  Not because they were friends, they have never met each other, but because it was the right thing to do. Sometime we may all need a voice and we may all need protection from government.  That is a responsibility of those we elect.

Passing the torch of primary responsibility to others is not leadership it is avoidance and an abdication of the role you were elected to perform.  The Coventry Board of Education is currently considering their role in reviewing and approving curriculum.  That is a key responsibility of that Board as elected leaders.  If any member is unwilling to take an active meaningful role in curriculum development and review they should not run for re-election they should resign now and get out of the way for the good of our educational system.

The parents and children of Coventry deserve better.  The voters have entrusted the Board of Education with a most prized asset, our future generation.  The key to success is a good foundation and education is the keystone upon which our children build their future.  To abdicate their responsibility as leaders on behalf of the parents and community to protect our next generation is unconscionable.

One Board member Mr. Gene Marchand was not elected and given the trust of the voters he was appointed by the Democratic leadership to serve on the Board.  In his own words at the meeting of May 26, while discussing this issue he said, “Frankly I think the time commitment could be overwhelming”.  That may be true for Mr. Marchand and if it is the Democratic leadership put their trust in the wrong person for the job.

It takes a serious commitment of time and effort to serve on the Board of Education or the Town Council and the decision to run for the office should not be taken casually.  The citizens of Coventry deserve dedicated leaders able to commit full effort to the role of government they accept when elected.  The voters of today expect that commitment and the generations of tomorrow are depending on it, to give less is a disservice to your friends, neighbors and community.

 

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May 21, 2011 · 10:54 am

If We Forget We Fail Our Children

Have we forgotten some of the lessons of World War II, have we lost some of our traditions?  Ask any school age child what holiday we celebrate today and you are more likely to get an answer like the opening of spring soccer or little league baseball than Armed Forces Day.  Have we forgotten?

The war was over, it was 1949 and President Harry S. Truman was in the White House when he spearheaded the idea of a single holiday when all Americans would gather together and honor those serving our nation with military service.  That announcement was August 31, 1950.  Memories of World War II were vivid; the sacrifice of lives and dreams was etched deeply in the hearts of Americans.  How could this ever be forgotten?

The Department of Defense described the day as an “educational program for civilians with the goal of increasing awareness about the armed forces.”  According to the department of defense, “It was a day for the military to show ‘state-of-the-art’ equipment to the civilian population they were protecting. And it was a day to honor and acknowledge the people of the Armed Forces of the United States.”.

Until the day was announced each branch of the service held their own day but this was more than unification for celebration because it coincided with the unification of all military branches under the Department of Defense.   In Truman’s Presidential Proclamation of Feb. 27, 1950, he said:  “Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America’s defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality.

Today we are fighting a war on terrorism on multiple fronts, we have troops still posted in Korea, and Germany from wars of the past and the lessons of World War II are fading.  School children today have little understanding of this day and most do not even know the holiday exists.  How could we forget?

When a native son or daughter is lost in battle we lower the flags of our state for a few days.  We say kind words about sacrifice, and bravery then we slowly walk away.  Little regard is given to the daily duty performed by our military personnel both home and abroad.  Today is their day, how could we forget?

Today is a day for a little home schooling because our children may have missed the lesson at school.  Today we should not forget and our children should be taught to never forget the burden we place on those that volunteer to serve our nation with military service.

Our generation can not forget the lessons of the past; it is our responsibility to pass those lessons on to the next generation.  Today is Armed Forces Day, how could we forget?

The Opining Quill salutes the men and women of our military on this special day with this message:

All of America owes you a debt of gratitude.  May God be with you on your mission and may you return home safely to your families and your dreams.  You are not forgotten.

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