Dear Source:
My family and I are visiting cousins who live on St. Croix. In "my past life", I was a teacher, for eight years on St. Thomas. A few years ago, I retired from the position of district principal, in Victoria, BC Canada. Though I am retired from the education profession I still have great interest, concern and care for our Public Education system and our students. This in part, is the reason for my letter to you.
Why? Why?, during one of the most; significant, historical, meaningful events in the history of the United States; The Inaguration of the 44th President the United States of America, Barak Obama, have the schools here been closed?
Do the Educators, Parents, the Department of Education, the Commissioner of Education not realize that this event in; our time, and history, was the, text book example of that…."Teachable Moment"? All schools should have remained open, rather than declaring a "holiday".
The question should have been asked; "How can we enhance and contribute to this momentous occassion as community, educators and parents"? Imagine what an impact that the "powers that be" could have had to the contribution enrichment of this historical moment!
Here is a "simple" example of what could have, should have been done, rather Than simply closing schools. All students, staff, parents, educators, politicians and members of the community could have come together to share in this day. Could they not have brought groups to UVI, Government House and Churches, as well as conference centres at hotels, etc. to witness the live broadcast of the inauguration?
The live broadcast could have been followed by; interactive discussion and dialogue between educators, students, politicians an members of the community.
No, The schools should not have been closed! In part, here is why. When you are asked; "Where were you on the day the 44th President of the United States was inagurated; where were you and what were you doing?"….The answer given to the question, could and should have been, unforgettable!!
Respectfully submitted on behalf of students, educators, parents and those concerned community members.
Steve Frankel
Thetis Island, B.C., Canada
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