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Opinion

Editorial: Schools, communities step up, fill gaps

10/30/2009 7:55:01 AM

Comments (4)

To this day, the mention of Hillary Clinton's best-selling book "It Takes A Village" often will draw an immediate retort that "It takes a family to raise a child!"

The issue: Area schools and agencies are offering homework and nutrition programs for at-risk youth

Why it matters: The traditional practice of having one parent at home when children finish their school day is less likely nowadays.

Our view: These programs are admirable for realistically addressing our changing society.

Frankly, Clinton and her GOP foes were both correct: It takes a village and a family to raise a child, and some area school districts and communities appear to be taking that task seriously.

Take, for example, Red Wing's after-school program for at-risk middle-schoolers. "The Remedy," a cooperative effort of the school district, Red Wing Youth Outreach, the Red Wing YMCA and area churches, gives young people a safe to place to play games, exercise, receive tutoring or simply "hang out" during the two-hour gap between the end of school and their parents' arrival at home.

And here's the kicker: It's free. For four days each week, working parents can be confident that their children are warm, safe and under adult supervision, and might even be getting a jump-start on their homework.

Yes, in an ideal world, 12-year-olds would get off the school bus and find Mom or Dad at home, ready to play catch, help with long division and monitor their computer usage -- all while preparing a nutritious dinner for the family.

But a lot of us don't live in that world, and we applaud Red Wing's effort to fill in the gap.

Speaking of nutritious meals, that's another way schools are stepping up and playing a greater role in helping to raise kids. Students in Houston, Mabel-Canton, Chatfield, Plainview and Fillmore Central now find a greater variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and made-from-scratch entrees on their lunch trays, thanks to a change in the districts' food-service provider.

The rationale is straightforward. School lunch is the one meal -- perhaps the only meal -- many kids can rely on receiving each day, and if they're given the chance to make healthy nutritional choices, many will do so. They'll discover that fresh, minimally-processed foods can be more flavorful than fast food or frozen dinners, thus creating good eating habits could serve them well for the rest of their lives.

Not only will this help them avoid obesity, diabetes and a host of other health problems, but we're convinced that kids who eat an apple with their pizza, rather than french fries, will be more focused and awake during their afternoon activities. Feed the body, feed the mind.

And if doing so spells the demise of "mystery-meat casserole," so much the better.

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There are 4 comments - Display All Comments

AverageJo
e
Anywhere, US

Posted on 10/30/2009 at 12:06:29 PM

Here’s to the working parents who put forth the effort and still manage to “be present” for their kids!! They are the true and forgotten heroes in our society. Their world is not so elusive as you say. It takes hard work, love, and a true desire to put your kids’ needs above your own.

Examples of these hard working parents should also be recognized and to what we all aspire.

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irishman
Rochester, Mn

Posted on 10/30/2009 at 12:15:08 PM

AverageJoe: Very well said, excellent praise.

More parents should follow your comment both before having children and then a periodic refresher.

If more parents would take their own responsibilities seriously less children would be palmed off to be raised by the rest of the village.

I applaud those groups who are involved as stated in the article but each child also represents a failure of parenting on someones part.

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BT
Rochester, MN

Posted on 10/30/2009 at 1:38:26 PM

Average Joe and Irsihman; well put!

I know my wife and I love taking part in our kids’ programs at school and with homework at night.

If it is simply being there for them at a school program, bringing treats on their b-day and simply reminding our kids that “we love them”....it is so gratifying to see that smile of confidence. And we have some kids that unfortunately are already having a bad day before they hit our school doors.

So program like those above are so neat so that ALL kids know someone cares!

No one said raising children is easy; however, when parents are involved, the reward is huge. I know as a father, and I know I can speak for my wife, we would be so lost w/out our kids.

Good story and good comments!

Regards,
BT

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hometowng
irl
Rochester, MN

Posted on 11/1/2009 at 6:59:05 PM

I want to send out a big thank you to the “village people” who volunteered at the H1N1 clinic for uninsured/underinsured children yesterday. Know that your time and caring are appreciated. It just saddens me that the turnout was so low.

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