Back in the Working Class

Today it finally arrived. The much anticipated first day for City Year was a huge success. There were so many great people, ideals, and fun times had, that it really didn't feel like work. But don't you worry, the challenge ahead for the 170 some odd number of us members is going to be arduous.

The day started off with a welcoming ceremony and general introductions. We were then split off into individual teams. I was placed in team Ripples **Boooooo Yeaowowowowowowowo** We met our group leaders and my group has the pleasure of being led by Gavin and Janae. Tons of fun with lots of laughs. We did some ice breakers and team building exercises to get to know each other better before we broke for lunch.

 

I packed a ham and bologna sandwich with a banana and pretzel sticks. Look Ma! I'm a big boy lol.

After lunch we watched this documentary called Waiting for Superman. It talked about the crisis that is the public school systems and how poor of an education inner city kids really recieve. You want to hear some sad news? Well neither did I, but here is the harsh reality that a majority of kids go through. (Yes my inner journalist came out and I took notes during the flick)

• 12 percent of 8th graders are proficient in reading in Washington D.C.
• Bad teachers cover maybe 50% of the curriculum but that isn't grounds for firing them because of tenure...no offense to any of my friends who are teachers, but the teachers union kinda screwed the pooch on this one...(my opinion anyway)
• Only 1 in 2,500 bad teachers get fired every year.
• Dropout factories are school where 40% of the students don't graduate on time and there are over 2,000 across the country. Want one for proximity? How about Oliver High School. It was specifically mentioned in the movie. Yeah the same Oliver that is just down the street from Perry, where I went to school.

 (The green arrow is Perry, the red A is Oliver...that's how close I was to a dropout factory)

I realize how lucky I was that Jim was able to get lotteried into Perry. It basically saved my education.
Money, laws and passing reforms have been tried to bridge the gap in education, however you can't have a great school without great teachers. Plain and simple.

After the movie, we had a lively discussion about the issues and how we were going to deal with them during our time in City Year. The day ended with more team building games and of course **trumpet call** the handing out of the bus and metro passes!!! Holla holla!

After work (boy does it feel good saying that!), about 25 of us went to Lucky's bar for 50 cent tacos and the company of new friends. All in all again it was a great day. Oh and let me tell you, I wore a button down shirt and dress shoes to work, and it feels great! I felt a lot more pronounced and accomplished wearing those threads than I did when working at the radio station and being able to go in wearing what I slept in and my slippers.

Busy day again tomorrow...Peace out girl scouts!