Failing The Future

The layers of the rotten onion are slowly being peeled away from the longtime failures of the Baltimore City school system. While this problem has been occurring for decades, it is finally getting it's due exposure largely due local TV station WBFF's "Project Baltimore" By the way, have you ever noticed how most city "leaders" largely ignore anything asked or initiated by WBFF? Hmm....

One of the most eye-opening examples came last March when it was revealed that a student at Augusta Fells Institute only passed three classes in four years. Although this student failed various classes, he was still allowed to graduate to the next level of each class. But perhaps the the most outrageous revelation of all was, even with his dismal .13 GPA, the kid was still in the top 50% of his class! So, more than half of the other students were worse off than him! *

And it was recently discovered that 75% of all students at Baltimore's Patterson High School are reading at an elementary school level. Some are at a kindergarten level. Of the 628 students tested, only 12 were reading at their grade level. No, that's not a typo.**

Of course, defenders of the school system will try to act surprised and pretend that this is something new. COVID restrictions and virtual learning are convenient excuses. But anyone who really believes that this problem has only been around for two years has their head buried in the sand. 

Since the overwhelming majority of Baltimore's students happen to be African-American, you have to wonder where the NAACP or BLM is on this issue. How many young black lives are being ruined by the current school situation? Why no outrage? Do these kids' lives matter?

The school system definitely deserves their share of the blame. When the dust settles, I'm sure that it will boil down to money. It almost always does. When big money is involved, you will inevitably find corruption.

But the parents of these students need to own some of this too. If parents were fully in tune with their kids, it's hard for me to believe that they wouldn't recognize these learning deficiencies. And if they are recognizing them, they really don't seem to care. If you're the parent of 12th grader who can't recognize that your kid can't read, you're part of the problem.

Gather up folks, it's story time.....

Once upon a time there was a bright young lady who aspired to become a school teacher. She went to college and got her degree in Education. She was on her way to make a difference in the world. Well, she landed her first teaching job, which just so happened to be at Baltimore City elementary school.

Upon arrival, the first thing she noticed was that the kids were a bit unruly. As the initial days rolled on, traditional classroom activities were routinely disrupted by random outbursts and physicals altercations. Things escalated to the point where even the young teacher became the victim of these assaults. The worst case being where she was almost choked unconscious by one of the more ambitious students. 

On any given day, there were a fair amount of empty desks due to students being out on suspension. But even the students who were present didn't seem to have a big interest in learning about prepositional phrases or compound fractions. The teacher did the best she could, but she was set up for failure by the whole system. Let me tell you why....

When it came time for report cards, she appropriately failed the majority of her students. However, when school administrators heard of this, they immediately told her that this was unacceptable. Even though the kids did not pass the required tests to justify a decent report card, the teacher was told to pass the kids anyway. Hmm, sounds a lot like the problem at Augusta Fells and Patterson, huh?

When it came time for Parent-Teacher Conference Night, the young teacher looked forward to discussing the academic issues with the kiddie's parents. Well, to her surprise and disappointment, no parents showed up! 

It was really too much to take for the young teacher. It was heartbreaking for her to see how these young lives were being ignored. She had no support from the school system nor the parents. She was up against a wall, They didn't prepare her for this in college. She eventually got frustrated and put her teaching career on hold. She would eventually land in a better place. But sadly, nothing has changed for the Baltimore City students she left behind....

And even before this happened, I met another young lady who experienced a similar situation. She happened to be working as a receptionist at the time I met her. She revealed to me that she had a teaching degree. I instinctively asked why she was answering phones instead of teaching. She told me that she had been physically assaulted by her students (more than once, by the way) and she made the decision to leave the profession. Think about that for a minute... teachers are leaving the profession because of safety issues. 

These are actual stories that were directly told to me by two former teachers....

Baltimore City has many problems and the downward spiral continues. There's little doubt that the lack of education is largely responsible for many of these issues. Without an education, your odds of success are severely limited. And without parent involvement, you really have no odds. It's a sad situation. And until people at high levels are held accountable, expect it to continue...

kw

* City student passes 3 classes in four years, ranks near top half of class with 0.13 GPA | WBFF (foxbaltimore.com)

** Maryland Governor calls test scores exposed by Project Baltimore 'disgraceful' | WBFF (foxbaltimore.com)

School Closings and Virtual Learning

Once upon a time, I was a young kid growing up in Baltimore City. It was far less dangerous back then. Or at least it seemed that way. And even though most of our families had two automobiles, we pretty much walked everywhere. And this included our journey to and from school each day. 

For me, it was roughly a one mile walk to Ben Franklin Jr. High School. As I walked southwest on Patapsco Avenue, this initial part of the trek was downhill and then midway it bottomed out and you began ascend. So, technically, I did indeed walk to/from school uphill in both directions.

Similar to the mailman, we often walked to school in all types of inclement weather. The rain would wreak the most havoc. By the end of our journey, we looked like we had swam to school. The bulk of the day would be spent drying out. I would try to find a heat source somewhere in the classroom to dry my coat. With any luck, the rain would pass by the time the dismissal bell rang at 2:30.

Snow could be a challenge too. But there was something about the snow that made it seem less grueling. It was kind of like watching TV while you're exercising on a treadmill. Baltimore City was a place where the schools hardly ever shut down for bad weather. While every other jurisdiction in the whole state of Maryland would close their school systems, the City schools were always open and on time.

Today, a mere mention of snow flurries on a Sunday will shut the schools down until mid-week. I have even seen local school systems shut down due to rain or wind. And with the COVID outbreak, many school systems have decided to go to "virtual learning". This is basically where the kids stay home and pretend to do school work for six hours a day. But what really took the cake for me recently is when I learned that "virtual school" was closed due to a forecast of snow! Ironically, it never even snowed. And even more perplexing, is that it's a virtual class! The trip to "school" consists of walking down the steps and into the living room! There is no traffic to deal with and, unless someone left their toy Slinkee on the staircase, the odds of slipping were pretty low.

Due to all of the impromptu closings, I understand that most of the school systems will now be in session until the end of June. If they keep cancelling school due to rain, summer break will be reduced to the Labor Day weekend. But then again, with virtual learning does it even matter if the kids are in "school" or not? It kind of reminds me of Charlie Brown's virtual teacher, Miss Othmar ("Wah-wa-wa-wa-wa"). But at least Charlie and the rest of the Peanuts gang were in an actual classroom.

These random closings and virtual "learnings" will inevitably have an effect on the intellectual growth of today's kids. Unfortunately, I don't think the outcome is going to be good. Kids need to be in a class room with a real teacher with other kids. I still have close friends from my childhood days. It's depressing to think that many of today's kids are being denied the opportunity to forge these longtime friendships.

I am not a big fan of anything "virtual-ness". Whether a virtual meeting in the business world or a Zoom meeting with distant family members, it's pales in comparison to face-to-face interactions. While technology has advanced and made things easier, it didn't necessarily make things better. The importance of social skills can't be underestimated. If people, especially young people, never interact with anyone on the outside world, how will they ever develop these skills? 

Bottom line, kids need to be in a school made of bricks and with hallways, a gymnasium, a large cafeteria and an auditorium. But mostly, it should  have real teachers in real classrooms filled with real students. And it should only be closed when it really snows....

kw 

Meatloaf - A Larger Than Life Performer

The first time that I heard "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" I was just a young boy. I really didn't completely understand all of the double entendres of the song. But even in my naivety, I knew that there was something extraordinary about it. I remember seeing a performance of the song on my parent's 25-inch console television. I can't quite remember the name of the show. But this was years before MTV, so I'm guessing that it was "America's Top 40" or something like that.

The song began with this infectious guitar riff and then transitioned into a familiar boogie-woogie progression. The vocals were delivered by this large man who looked like he could play offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers. He wore this half-buttoned tuxedo shirt which would soon be saturated with sweat. The guy had a stage presence that was immediately noticeable. He traded off vocals with a young woman as the song progressed. The banter between the two of them pulled me even deeper into the song. 

The lyrics of the song told the story of a young man's intimate quest for the affection of a young woman. The entire episode took place inside of the man's car. He was willing to do or say almost anything to get his way. The woman was about to give in but there was a commitment that had to be agreed upon first. And this is when the guy began to have second thoughts....

As the guy contemplates his final decision, legendary baseball announcer Phil Rizzuto chimes in to give us the play-by-play. It was a brilliant segue!

After the woman continued to pressure the guy, he eventually responds with, "Let me sleep on it." I still laugh out loud every time I hear that line. It is pure comic genius!

In the end, the guy gives in and agrees to stay with the woman forever. And before long, he's "praying for the end of time". Another great line!

The lyrics along with the energetic performance was an instant masterpiece. I immediately wanted to watch it again. But this was in the pre-DVR days so I had to wait to catch it on the radio, And every time I've heard it since my boyhood days, I instinctively reach for the volume knob. It remains one of my all-time favorite songs. Although vastly different, I rank it right up there with "Bohemian Rhapsody" in regards to epic songwriting and storytelling.

Of course, the main performer of this classic song is none other than Marvin Lee Aday, who is better known to the world as Meatloaf. Whether he was debating with Ellen Foley in "Paradise" or he was playing a part in a film, his passion could always be felt. He was a bona fide rock star from day one.

Unfortunately, Meatloaf left us yesterday at the age of 74. He accomplished so much as an artist and performer. His 1977 "Bat Out Of Hell" album is one of the best selling albums of all time. He has appeared in many movies and TV shows. One of his earliest but most memorable roles was "Eddie" in the "Rocky Horror Picture Show". And, of course, he also played a rather interesting character in "Fight Club".

And here's something that a lot of music fans might not know...Meatloaf appeared on Ted Nugent's "Free For All" album, delivering lead vocals on several songs. He is universally admired and respected by everyone in the music world. But oddly enough, Meatloaf is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. How is this even possible?? 

When you mention the word "meatloaf", I'll bet more people think of Mr. Aday than the actual food product. That's what I would call making an impact. Thanks for all of the memories, Meat. I will continue to reach for that volume knob every time I hear that familiar guitar intro....

May you rest in eternal peace....

kw

New Year 2022

So, here we are, on the cusp of another year into the new millennium. Can you believe that it’s been over 20 years since we made that monumental transition? When I was a kid, I imagined that we’d have flying cars (à la The Jetsons) by the year 2022. But we’re not quite there yet. And judging the way some people drive traditional cars, I’m not sure that I’d want them “driving” the friendly skies.

As expected, I’ve heard people talking about their New Year’s Resolutions. It’s the same typical mantra….lose weight, exercise, blah, blah, blah. Of course, most of the same people were making the same resolutions last year, And the year before. And the year before that…The happiest people this time of year is, no doubt, gym owners. Years ago, when I was a regular gym rat, I used to dread the month of January. You could always count on droves of “resolutionists” flooding the local gyms and causing major back-ups at the treadmill. Of course, this only lasted for a few weeks, Once Planet Fitness blindsided them with pizza night, it was game over.

My resolutions are modest and obtainable. For instance, my good buddy Chad has been on my ass to watch “Yellowstone”. I have started that path and I resolve to conclude it in early 2022. Keeping it simple is often the best approach…

There was a time when I looked forward to New Years Eve. It was always a fun night to be spent with family and friends. We would often party into the wee hours of the morning. But somewhere along the way, I got old. Nowadays, I’m asleep well before that famous ball even starts its decent.

No doubt, it’s been another challenging year. Most people would have thought that we’d be out of the COVID woods by now. But Omicron crashed the party and, well, here we go again. Let’s hope that 2022 will be the year that we can finally say goodbye to the Coronavirus and all its unwelcomed variants.

And as I finish up with this one, I just learned that beloved actress Betty White just passed away. She was a breath of fresh air, even at the age 99. Rest in peace, Betty. And thank you for being a friend 😉

Whatever plans you might have for the evening, please be safe and healthy. Wishing you and yours the happiest of New Years. 

kw

 

 

 

 

 

A Christmas Message 2021

 There was a time, not so long ago (at least it doesn’t seem that way), when I would gingerly make my way down the stairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa had left behind. There was always a tinge of concern that there might not be anything. I would weigh the “naughty” versus “nice” moments from the previous year as I descended into the living room. I am happy to say that Santa never disappointed….

These days, that same anticipation has transitioned into watching my grandkids tear the wrapping from their gifts. And there’s never any need to weigh the "good" versus "bad" moments. Because as any grandparent will tell you, grandchildren are the perfect angels and could never do anything wrong. 😊

As I take a little quiet time for myself this morning, I look forward to the busy day ahead. Tina is preparing to wake up to her latest birthday (I won’t tell you the actual number because that would definitely fall into the naughty category). Sharing a birthday celebration with a guy named Jesus Christ is a lot to handle. So, I’d better make sure that I have a fresh pot of coffee waiting for her when she makes her way downstairs.

Christmas is a great time for reflection. This will be the first year that we’ll be celebrating the holiday without Tina’s mom, Evelyn. And it’s also our first Christmas without my beloved cousin and mentor, Virginia. While they have left this earth, they remain with us in spirt as we regularly relive all the great moments that made them so special. And today will be no different.

No doubt, it’s been a challenging year in many ways. But as we prepare for Christmas Day and move into the New Year, try to focus on the positive things in your life. Nothing is guaranteed in life, so don’t take things for granted. When you gather with family and friends later, take a moment to appreciate them. And don’t leave any compliments or endearments on the table. Tell people how you feel about them now.

I’ve found that being kind to people is one of the main keys to happiness. Not only do you have the potential change a person’s day, but through a random act of kindness you can also change a person’s life. These can be the simplest things. If you see someone without a smile, give them yours. There’s no telling where things could go from there…

I recently heard a rather profound statement. It went something like this...”Anger is the punishment that we give ourselves for other people’s mistakes.” Think about that for a minute…

As you celebrate this special day, please keep our troops and first responders in your thoughts. And take a moment to remember Officer Keona Holley of the Baltimore City Police Department. She was senselessly gunned down while on duty last week. May she rest in peace and may her family find the strength to get through this difficult time.

In closing, I’d like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. And thank you for being a part of my life…

kw

Mick Jagger Walks Into a Bar...

The other night, I was having dinner and few libations at a local seafood restaurant. One of the employees decided to conduct an impromptu survey. It consisted of showing photos of iconic musicians to a specific group of customers. The "specificity" included anyone under 30 years of age.

The photo selection included well known performers like Elton John, Billy Joel. Prince and Bruce Springsteen. After showing these photos around the bar, he informed us that only one out of ten people could identify these celebrities. Several people thought that the Prince photo was Michael Jackson. Most of them had no idea who the other three were. And these weren't ambiguous photos designed to trick anyone. They were all photos that most of us have seen before...

I understand that young people might not have Billy Joel and Elton John on their regular play lists. But how can they not know who these people are? As a teenager, I wasn't exactly blasting Elvis or Buddy Holly through the speakers of my '74 Duster. But I could certainly identify them. 

Right on the heels of this, I was just reading a story about Mick Jagger walking into a North Carolina bar and to have a beer. Yes, it's kind of strange to hear that the Stones' iconic front man casually walked into a bar. But what's even more strange is that no one seemed to notice him. In the photo below, you can see Mick sipping on a beer at the Thirsty Beaver bar. It turns out that several of the people in the photo actually had tickets to the Rolling Stones show in Charlotte the following night. How do you not notice Mick Jagger knocking back a beer next to you?? Especially after you just spent $500 to see his band the following night??

This all takes me back a few years ago when I was in Florida for a big 3-day country music concert. The final night of the event was headlined by Toby Keith. After the show, Tina and I, along with our friends Kevin and Lorri, decided to stop off at a local oyster bar for a night cap. At some point, a small group of guys came in and sat at a nearby table. We didn't really pay them much attention. A short time later, I bumped into one of the them as I was entering the men's room (As Bruce Springsteen might say, I was walking in, he was walking out). Anyway, I said something like, "Sorry, bud. My fault."  

With his head down, the guy replied, "No problem."

So, I return to my table and take a sip of my beer. Before long, Kevin asks, "Do you think you would recognize Toby Keith if he was in this bar?"

I said, "Of course. We just came from his show!"

"Well, be subtle. But look at that table across from you," Kevin said quietly as he motioned to the nearby table with his eyes.  

Not doubt, it was Toby Keith. And even more surprising, it was the same guy that I literally bumped into earlier. It was pretty cool to be sitting across from the "rock star" who just closed down a three-day music festival. And as much as we wanted to say hello, we realized that this was his personal time and we didn't want to intrude. But eventually, when he passed our table again, Lorri asked him if we could take a quick photo with him. Similar to the bathroom interchange, he smiled and replied, "No problem."

We took a quick photo and thanked him. And that was that....

So when I think about all of this, I guess I can understand how someone might not recognize a celebrity right away. But Mick Jagger? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I would recognize him....

kw

Remembering 9/11 - 20 Years Later

Although today marks 20 years since the heinous attacks of 9/11, I still remember it like it was yesterday. As with most Americans, it will always remain as one of the worst days of my life. While I never personally knew anyone who died on that day, it felt like I had lost countless friends that I had not yet met. Nor would I ever get the chance...

Anger, despair, fear, confusion,.....all of these emotions were overwhelming me. With my eyes fixated on my TV screen, I wondered if I was simply having a bad dream or if I had accidently tuned into a science fiction movie. Sadly, it was neither. It was real. And raw. And so ugly...

I watched first responders desperately try to control the situation. They did what they could to calm people. But the situation was beyond anything they could ever prepare for. Countless firefighters bravely entered the unstable buildings. They put their own fears on the shelf, knowing that they might never come out alive. A new breed of hero was emerging. But at an unfathomable price.

And then the buildings came down...

A lone firefighter, covered in soot and kneeling on one knee, tried to regain his composure. He was mentally and physically exhausted. He had just watched a building collapse on hundreds of his brothers. He briefly looked to the sky, searching for any source of hope or inspiration.

As the days progressed, America remained on edge. Was there another imminent attack? Were there any survivors under all of the rubble? How many fathers, sons, mothers and daughters would never make it home again?

Random strangers came together to offer whatever comfort they could. We were all in this together. We didn't really know how to respond to it. But we knew someway, somehow, we would prevail. We knew this because we were Americans. No matter how dire the circumstances, America always prevails.

So, as I sit hear 20 years later, I reflect on how that infamous day changed me....

First off, my love of this country has only grown stronger. I could have been born anywhere in the world. But I wound up in America. It's like drawing a winning lottery ticket every day. I still get goosebumps every time I hear the "Star Spangled Banner". 

I've also learned that you can't take life for granted. When you leave for work in the morning, there is no guarantee that you'll make it home. I remember being at a party a few years ago with family and friends. At some point, I looked around and imagined many of these people not being around anymore. I had to step away for a moment because I started to get emotional. This had never happened to me before. But it reinforced the fact that the people in your life are everything.

I've learned to live life to the fullest. Life isn't a dress rehearsal, it's the main attraction. The best way to honor those who have passed is to live a great life. Smell the flowers, dance to the music or whatever else makes you happy. 

There's also something to be said about random acts of kindness. I have had many conversations with many different people over the years. You never know what someone is going through until you actually talk to them. Never underestimate what a few simple words of encouragement can do for someone. 

A few years after 9/11, my son entered the Army and eventually wound up in Iraq. Before he left, he gave me a dog tag with his name on it. I said that I would wear it until he came back home. I would get strange looks as I went through metal detectors. I would explain that my son was Iraq fighting the good fight. The security person would then shake my hand and say, "I understand. Thank your son for his service". I was eventually able to breathe a huge sigh of relief when I was able to take the dog tag off. My heart goes out to the countless military families who never got to have the same happy reunion. The sacrifices of these brave men and women must never be forgotten.

With all of this being said, I will never forget that tragic day of 20 years ago. I know we've still got some work to do in this country. But remember, we're all still Americans. Let's try to set aside our differences and find a way to come together once again as the United States of America. It's the least we can do for all of those who were lost on 9/11 and all of those who bravely gave their lives in the fight against terrorism. 

kw