School

A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students (or “pupils”) under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools. The names for these schools vary by country but generally include primary school for young children and secondary school for teenagers who have completed primary education. An institution where higher education is taught, is commonly called a university college or university, but these higher education institutions are usually not compulsory.

In addition to these core schools, students in a given country may also attend schools before and after primary (Elementary in the US) and secondary (Middle school in the US) education. Kindergarten or preschool provide some schooling to very young children (typically ages 3–5). University, vocational school, college or seminary may be available after secondary school.

A school may be dedicated to one particular field, such as a school of economics or a school of dance. Alternative schools may provide nontraditional curriculum and methods.

There are also non-government schools, called private schools. Private schools may be required when the government does not supply adequate, or special education. Other private schools can also be religious, such as Christian schools, madrasa, hawzas (Shi’a schools), yeshivas (Jewish schools), and others; or schools that have a higher standard of education or seek to foster other personal achievements. Schools for adults include institutions of corporate training, military education and training and business schools.

In home schooling and online schools, teaching and learning take place outside a traditional school building. Schools are commonly organized in several different organizational models, including departmental, small learning communities, academies, integrated, and schools-within-a-school.

When constructing a community security is the first objective. Plot out an area than can be defended and protected. Build fortifications if threatened to keep the population safe. Next make an area to grow or raise food and provide water for sustenance. Construct an infrastructure for shelters and transportation.

At this point the first large structure will be a meetinghouse also used for worship.

As a community grows it will require local security and imprisonment, distribution and storage of goods, and schools.

Schools not only taught the children how to count, read and write but also were a place for discipline and babysitting while the parents were providing for the community. Teachers were given leeway to become segregate parents and held in high esteem.

The community supported schools and when a new school was needed it was built like a barn raising. Parents, family and friends provided books, pencils, paper and even books. Desks were built, classes were divided up and subjects assigned.

Once a government was established, the schools were given names and assigned to populated areas within earshot of a bell. Property taxes for families were set to pay for the school system.

Knowledge is power so classes expanded into Accounting, Business law, Business management, Consumer education, Entrepreneurial skills, Introduction to business, Marketing, Personal finance, Animation, App development, Audio production, Computer programming, Computer repair, Film production, Graphic design, Keyboarding, Media technology, Music production, Video game development, Web design, Web programming, Word processing, American literature, British literature, Contemporary literature, Creative writing, Communication skills, Debate, English language and composition, English literature and composition, Humanities, Journalism, Literary analysis, Modern literature, Poetry, Popular literature, Rhetoric, Shakespeare, Technical writing, World literature, Written and oral communication, Chemistry of foods, CPR training, Culinary arts, Early childhood development, Early childhood education, Family studies, Fashion and retail merchandising, Fashion construction, Home economics, Interior design, Nutrition, American Sign Language, Ancient Greek, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Calculus, Computer math, Consumer math, Fundamentals of math, Geometry, Integrated math, Math applications, Multivariable calculus, Practical math, Pre-algebra, Pre-calculus, Probability, Quantitative literacy, Statistics, Trigonometry, Choir, Concert band, Dance, Drama, Guitar, Jazz band, Marching band, Music theory, Orchestra, Percussion, Piano, Theater technology, World, music, Aerobics, Dance, Gymnastics, Health, Lifeguard training, Pilates, Racket sports, Specialized sports, Swimming, Weight training, Yoga , Agriculture, Astronomy, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Earth science, Electronics, Environmental science, Environmental studies, Forensic science, Geology, Marine biology, Oceanography, Physical science, Physics, Zoology, Cultural anthropology, Current events, European history, Geography, Global studies, Human geography, International relations, Law, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Modern world studies, Physical, anthropology, Political studies, Psychology, Religious studies, Sociology, US government, US history, Women’s studies, World history, World politics, World religions , 3-D art, Art history, Ceramics, Digital media, Drawing, Film production, Jewelry design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture , Auto body repair, Auto mechanics, Building construction, Computer-aided drafting, Cosmetology, Criminal justice, Driver education, Electronics, FFA, Fire science, Heating and cooling systems, Hospitality and tourism, JROTC, Metalworking, Networking, Plumbing, Production technology, Refrigeration fundamentals, Robotics, Woodworking to name a few. This is just high school.

Recess playtime turned into regimented teams representing their schools in leagues of football, baseball, track, basketball, soccer and every other form of competition that could be imagined with cheerleaders.

Now I certainly approve of schools. I live within spitting of my elementary school. I walked to all my schools (sometimes uphill in the snow) and got a piece of paper from two that said I’d achieved smartness requirements.

Not sure all that I learned but it did keep me out of trouble for most of my youth. I never joined a team or attended games or dances. I did spend many summers trying to relearn what I wasn’t paying attention to the first time.

Many of my friends became teachers so I got to hear the other side of the classroom. I even had a chance to become a teacher and realized staring at blank faces is no easy task.

Today schools are sheltered communities of their own. Bused in for diversity, encumbered by cell video confrontations and constant grading adjustments and attendance policing to keep the flow going.

I do not have children. I do not know how parents have coped with vacations, snow days, sponsor request for more money or shelter in place. I also do not know how school administrators deal with sensitivity training, medical emergencies, transportation, feeding and cleaning regulations, confrontation control, legislative requirements and building maintenance.

I still pay my amount of property tax for the local school though I don’t send any little people there. I understand that was not enough so the Commonwealth invented a lottery from gambling to help support the school system.

For awhile the populations started dropping because of ‘white flight’ to the suburbs while others kids were moved to ‘private’ schools, but the reverse starting to happen with gentrification.

Even though the Millennial generation have not been as prolific as the Boomers were after the ‘Great War’, they are moving to new environments with dilapidated schools. How will the budget adjust? Remember to rename the old ones remembering Confederate generals.

Just like fixing ancient infrastructure of plumbing and pathways, young minds must have a path to follow to become the new generation of lawyers, doctors, politicians, taxi drivers, astronauts, drug dealers, coders, influencers, soldiers, baristas, entrepreneurs, border guards, plumbers, wall street brokers, pizza delivery drivers, Amazon delivery drivers, FedEx delivery drivers, police persons, priest, crafts persons, exotic dancers, musician, hair stylist, bails bonds persons, extreme sport participants, pedophiles, desk clerks, engineers, animal trainers, protestors, street pavers, heart surgeons, airline pilots, brick layers, bartenders, kung fu fighters, auto haulers, Indian chefs or teachers.

Once our parents teach us the basics: walking, talking,  eating and pooping; we get assigned to strangers to inform us of what we need to know to get through life. All the Shakespeare soliloquies aren’t as helpful a figuring out our taxes or building IKEA furniture but it fills in the gaps of social culture.

I’m a dinosaur in today’s technology but am still willing to learn. Most of the textbooks I purchased eons ago are obsolete and can only be used as historical manuscripts or kindling. Still the goal is to learn some everyday.

Today’s communication seems many have forgotten any of their formal training but can tell you the meaning of string theory or the funniest line of ‘Rick and Morty’. They can tell you every detail of the lands of Tatooine, Alderaan, Hoth, Bespin, and Yavin but can’t remember where they left their glasses. They can remember the lyrics to ‘Wake Up Little Susie’ but don’t know who is running for city council or education board.

You may be educated but how smart are you?