I can't answer for Ace's school, but we have an elementary school in our district that was built in the late 50s that has the exact same problems. Actually, our district is building the replacement and it will be ready by Christmas, so they will start out the second semester in it. The plumbing is terrible, there is no central air, only one 20 year old window unit in each classroom (nothing for the hallways or concrete floored gym besides fans). There is one electrical outlet for each room (try thinking of setting up just one simple computer on one outlet, much less any other electrical equipment).

 

Why is the school so delapidated? We have a very small tax base. I was the first minority student to attend that school back in 1980, but I wasn't the first poor one.

 

RTS, you keep mentioning that new buildings won't make the students/parents care more. What do you suggest would do it?

Neglect is the only reason I can see a building that young being in such bad shape. Do the poorer districts not get more money from the state? I know thats one of the reasons the Ft. Thomas school district doesn't get much help from the state.

 

 

I don't think there is any way of reaching the parents, I really don't. If I told what my answer for the kids was, you probably wouldn't like it.

How do you help people that just don't care?

 

Good point, RTS. How do we help them? You mentioned them as being a lost cause. Do we just write them off?

Good point, RTS. How do we help them? You mentioned them as being a lost cause. Do we just write them off?

The parents?

Neglect is the only reason I can see a building that young being in such bad shape. Do the poorer districts not get more money from the state? I know thats one of the reasons the Ft. Thomas school district doesn't get much help from the state.

 

 

I don't think there is any way of reaching the parents, I really don't. If I told what my answer for the kids was, you probably wouldn't like it.

 

If neglect means not having the money to redo things, then yes. Our district has three maintanence staff employees (for four schools and a head start). These guys spend a great deal of time making repairs to this old building. They certainly don't neglect it. It's just a losing battle.

 

I am not sure about your money question, but I bet that acemona will know the answer.

 

As to not liking your answer, well, I don't like a lot of answers on here, but I read them anyway! Go ahead.

The parents?

 

Yes.

If neglect means not having the money to redo things, then yes. Our district has three maintanence staff employees (for four schools and a head start). These guys spend a great deal of time making repairs to this old building. They certainly don't neglect it. It's just a losing battle.

 

I am not sure about your money question, but I bet that acemona will know the answer.

 

As to not liking your answer, well, I don't like a lot of answers on here, but I read them anyway! Go ahead.

OK, but I warned you.

 

They should be taken away from their parents and put into an orphanage where they would be made to go to school and given a fighting chance. It should be an orphanage where they are taught to earn their way by doing some sort of work, especially in the months school isn't in session, where they can learn to be part of something and gain self worth. I'm not talking old time orphanage where there is despair, I'm talking something closely monitored and funded to really give these kids a chance to learn and become something.

Good point, RTS. How do we help them? You mentioned them as being a lost cause. Do we just write them off?

 

The parents?

 

Yes.

If they don't want to take advantage of opportunities that are already there, then yes, write them off. If they don't care about themselves, why should we care?

OK, but I warned you.

 

They should be taken away from their parents and put into an orphanage where they would be made to go to school and given a fighting chance. It should be an orphanage where they are taught to earn their way by doing some sort of work, especially in the months school isn't in session, where they can earn to be part of something and gain self worth. I'm not talking old time orphanage where there is despair, I'm talking something closely monitored and funded to really give these kids a chance to learn and become something.

 

Wow...Would this be a state funded orphanage?

OK, but I warned you.

 

They should be taken away from their parents and put into an orphanage where they would be made to go to school and given a fighting chance. It should be an orphanage where they are taught to earn their way by doing some sort of work, especially in the months school isn't in session, where they can learn to be part of something and gain self worth. I'm not talking old time orphanage where there is despair, I'm talking something closely monitored and funded to really give these kids a chance to learn and become something.

 

You might be suprised, RTS. I dont necessarily disagree with you here. I have experience with some kids that have been removed from homes where parents didn't abuse them, but didn't send them to school. These kids have been placed in foster homes that have provided them with a positive, supportive school setting. One of those kids graduated from school last year and is on his way to college. Another is a high school senior this year that is very actively involved and I have little doubt will go to college also.

 

I would like to see your idea more with foster homes then with an orphanage, though. I certainly agree that "parents" that do not do their job of being a parent should not continue to have the right to "parent" that child. This is certainly not to say that just because a parent/family is poor that they should have the child removed.

If they don't want to take advantage of opportunities that are already there, then yes, write them off. If they don't care about themselves, why should we care?

 

Again, RTS, I don't disagree with your intent. The problem is, those that we would "write off" still become our problem, as they are more likely to become criminals.

Neglect is the only reason I can see a building that young being in such bad shape. Do the poorer districts not get more money from the state? I know thats one of the reasons the Ft. Thomas school district doesn't get much help from the state.

 

 

I don't think there is any way of reaching the parents, I really don't. If I told what my answer for the kids was, you probably wouldn't like it.

 

What sort of local taxes fund Ft. Thomas?

OK, but I warned you.

 

They should be taken away from their parents and put into an orphanage where they would be made to go to school and given a fighting chance. It should be an orphanage where they are taught to earn their way by doing some sort of work, especially in the months school isn't in session, where they can learn to be part of something and gain self worth. I'm not talking old time orphanage where there is despair, I'm talking something closely monitored and funded to really give these kids a chance to learn and become something.

 

 

And, who pays for the orphanage and the care and living expenses of these kids?

Wow...Would this be a state funded orphanage?

Better that then generation after generation living on welfare. But' I'd be willing to accept other forms of funding if within reason.

And, who pays for the orphanage and the care and living expenses of these kids?

Tell you what, I'm on my way to corrupt BF a little more, you can call there if you want and I'll go into detail.

Point is, he hasn't closed the door on a sum of money to each individual. If he does that, I'm in agreement with you.

 

So, you're saying the government doesn't give inner city public schools money?

 

If their parents don't care, the kid isn't going to either. I'd be willing to bet that the nice new school would look like the old school in a very short time as well.

 

These parent's aren't going to give two hoots about some programs at the schools to include the parents, they're a lost cause. I agree, if you can reach the kids the future may be better, but that's tougher then you think and new schools won't be the cure, it's much deeper than that.

 

How do you instill a sense of community in those that don't even have a sense of self respect?

 

If is a might big word, RM. While I would love to see all of this happen, it's just not realistic. You're dealing with people that just don't care, regardless of what you're willing to do for them. Many of them have no sense of pride, right or wrong or respect (be it for themselves or others) along with many other rejections to a civilized community. How do you help people that just don't care?

 

So, the solution, in your opinion is to just ignore it. Will that make it go away? Change doesn't happen because people think it can't be done. Change happens because people believe it can be done.