LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE TWIN TIERS...COMMUNITY SERVICE IS A GREAT AMERICAN TRADITION THAT GOES BACK TO THE VERY BEGINNINGS OF OUR GREAT REPUBLIC.
I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET YOUNG PEOPLE--LIKE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS--INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE. HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL ESTABLISH A HABIT OF "GIVING BACK" TO THOSE IN NEED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, COMMUNITY SERVICE IN THE SCHOOLS SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A BARGAINING CHIP WITH STUDENTS. RECENTLY WETM 18 NEWS REPORTED THAT STUDENTS TAKING A NINTH GRADE CLASS IN THE CAMPBELL-SAVONA SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE EXEMPT FROM A FIVE HOUR COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT IF THEIR ACADEMIC AVERAGE IN THE CLASS IS 95 OR HIGHER. I THINK THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT CHEAPENS AND DEGRADES COMMUNITY SERVICE, MAKES IT A REWARD TO AVOID THIS IMPORTANT WORK, AND SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE TO THE KIDS.
I URGE THAT COMMUNITY SERVICE BE A PART OF EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM, BUT IT SHOULD NEVER BE USED--FOR WHATEVER THE REASON-- AS A BARGAINING CHIP WITH STUDENTS.
WITH COMMENTARY...I'M DR. STEPHEN HURRICANE COLEMAN THE THIRD. THAT'S MY OPINION...WHAT'S YOURS?
