Friday Evening Entertainment
Friday evening I was invited to a 6th Grade County Chorus for the Westmoreland County Music Education Association by my granddaughter who was singing as part of the presentation. The energy and the sound of their combined voices were enjoyable to see and hear. The choices were varied and diverse. One theme did seem to dominate the program; togetherness that can change the world.
I agree that it is in the hands of our children and grandchildren to change things, to face the many challenges, and to solve problems, but that is a two edged sword. What is being taught in public schools to prepare them for those challenges? Are they being indoctrinated into “Woke” theology? Are they being introduced into gender fluidity? Is climate change a vital core issue? Is the red carpet being laid for a one world government? Is this togetherness a part of that?
Are things like local and American history being taught? Is pride in our country and loyalty to our nation and the flag being shared or being discarded? Does the course of Civics still exist? Is parental consent being upheld or have those rights been taken over by the government and school boards? There are so many other areas that government controlled schools are failing our future generations.
At one time school taxes paid for teachers’ salaries, provided paper, pencils, and texts. They paid for buildings and maintenance. But slowly the government began to demand paperwork to see that their “standards” were being met. More and more records must be kept to show those demands were being met, and the monies meant to educate our children shifted to mountains of paperwork to prove the school was meeting those standards. There’s the rub. Less education and more of a demand into a single, Federal controlled education system. When President Obama said teach “Common Core Math,” he implied that schools that refrained would lose finances or gain monies depending on whether or not they complied.
The songs that concerned me were “Together We Are Better,” “You and I Can Change the World,” and although the title is rather bland, “Why We Sing.” At first glance they are very nice, but only if the field of further education and be plowed and planted properly.