"The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become." - Goethe

I read several articles this week about a private school in New York City's West Side that has been separating students in homerooms according to color for the past year. Parents have stopped that practice for now, but I wondered what would make a school seem to go "backward" in terms of segregation. The article said they were trying to offer "greater opportunities for connection and support."  I am having difficulty seeing how a short homeroom time could do that, but I was only in Education for 37 years, so maybe I am wrong. 

The private school is called The Little Red School House, and tuition is around $45,000 per year. One would think that this school would work very hard to please the parents and students. I am just not sure that separating students by race for homeroom is the way to do that, although some parents like idea that the school was not color blind.  (See links below)

When I was in the classroom for those 37 years, I worked very hard at trying to make sure all students felt secure and cared for by this teacher. I also tried very hard to treat all the kids equally - regardless of their gender, IQ,  social status, sexual preference, or anything else.  Had any teacher in my public school district separated kids by race, the teacher would have been FIRED with no questions asked.

Our world is so disjointed already, especially in terms of economics, politics, and religion. I always hope that school is the one place where students can learn to be themselves in an accepting and supportive environment. School students are wading through their young lives trying to figure out who they are, and I think they should have the option to do that without being caregorized on race. I agree with Goethe - "The way you see people is the way you treat them. and the way you treat them is what they become."  I prefer to treat students like they are special, gifted, talented, and wonderful human beings, as past practice shown me that they will believe it and become those things. Race has nothing to do with those intangibles. Needless to say,  I do not agree with the practice of The Little Red School House. 

If you are interested, here is the link to the article:  https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Private-School-That-Separated-Students-into-Homerooms-By-Race-Ending-Policy-487061081.html  and another link http://atlantablackstar.com/2018/07/03/private-nyc-school-separates-students-based-on-race-for-cultural-reasons-spark-backlash-from-angry-parents/

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. 

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Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with a group called Field Trip Zoom. www.Fieldtripzoom.com  GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 from The Authors' Zone. For more information about The Authors' Zone, please visit http://www.theauthorszone.com/submissions/  

Visit Dede's webpage for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER. Many colleges have made the book required reading. Signed copies are available  www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics. 

I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books.  Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self.  However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37 years. I remain inspired! 

Elementary teachers in Western Pennsylvania and beyond - I am willing to come into your classroom in person or as a virtual field trip through a group called Field Trip Zoom.  Check them out!  http://www.fieldtripzoom.com/ 

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