August 28, 2006 -- Shaker Heights Superintendent of Schools Mark Freeman today urged the District's faculty and staff members to prepare students as "problem-solvers and peacemakers" for the challenges they will face as adults.

Citing growing international conflict, terrorism, and the global environmental crisis, Freeman said today's students will inherit "one hack of a mess." He encouraged teachers and other school staff members "to prepare our students both intellectually and socially for leadership in an increasingly complex world." He also urged staff members to hold Ohio lawmakers accountable for their failure to address school funding and other pressing education issues.

Freeman's comments came at the annual opening convocation of the 800-member Shaker faculty and staff, traditionally held the day before students return to school. The meeting opened with a stirring vocal rendition of the national anthem by Annie Sivertson, a Shaker senior.

Following is the text of Freeman's remarks:

Welcome back! A special welcome to the newest members of the staff. You are joining an intellectually lively and distinguished organization. We hope you will have a long and fulfilling career here at Shaker.

As we begin our 94th academic year in the Shaker Heights City School District, we need to keep in mind what’s happening in the world around us.

To put it bluntly, this generation of young people will inherit one heck of a mess. The Middle East is again in conflict; our military is bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan; Africa continues to be decimated by AIDS, poverty, and the tragedy of Darfur; Europe is struggling with the challenges of immigration and diversity; North Korea is rattling its saber; and we may be on a course for global environmental disaster.

This year’s entering kindergartners were born around the time of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. As terrorist attacks and threats continue around the world, we face the possibility of an entire generation growing up in fear.

Not a pretty picture, is it? But we need to keep these realities in mind in order to prepare our students for their future.

That means we need to teach them to be problem-solvers and peacemakers. We need to teach them about cooperation and tolerance, as well as math, science, reading, writing, and social studies. We need to make sure they learn about cultures other than their own, and about the relationship between science and public policy. Shaker has been a national model for other schools because we have excelled at developing students’ academic ability AND social awareness. It is more important than ever that we continue to do so.

I think we are well positioned in Shaker to produce the informed and engaged citizens who will be needed in the challenging times ahead. Our students have the opportunity to experience and understand diversity on a personal level, leading to greater insight about the larger world.

At Commencement last June, graduate Makeda Farley made a revealing comment that got both a chuckle and applause from the audience when she said that Shaker Heights is one of very few places, where she, a Muslim, could have attended a friend’s bar mitzvah.

Every day, our goal should be to prepare our students both intellectually and socially for leadership in an increasingly complex world, and we have been doing just that.

These are not the easiest of times for public schools. Here in Shaker Heights, we continue to face budget constraints and have lost some good colleagues.

The good news is that our community is behind us, as evidenced by the resounding passage of the operating levy last spring. Shaker residents believe in their schools. We owe it to them to continue earning that trust.

Another bit of good news is the prospect of change in Columbus. Public opinion polls show that education is a top priority for Ohio voters. Education groups are putting their differences aside to press for a common agenda. This is an opportunity, at last, to hold our state lawmakers accountable for the decisions they make. No matter what your political persuasion is and no matter what district you live in, I urge you to make your voice heard for children. If we don’t, who will?

You have all heard me say many times that Ohio is failing to provide the resources needed to educate the state’s children. We should be willing to step up and advocate for all the children of the state. We must have an educated populace to have a functioning democracy and a strong economy.We can all take pride in our work and in our achievements. Last year’s graduates, like those before them, are going to college in large numbers – including some of the most selective schools in the nation. Our graduates are making a difference in their professions and volunteer commitments. Despite the many challenges we face, I have confidence that Shaker will continue to prepare today’s students to be productive and engaged citizens. Every one of us can contribute toward that goal.

Thanks for coming this morning. Let’s have a great year.

 

Site Map  |   September 1, 2006