From: Michelle Murray <MichelleMurray@mtlsd.net>
Date: January 31, 2014, 8:28:29 AM EST
Subject: Cancer Awareness Week
Reply-To: Michelle Murray <MichelleMurray@mtlsd.net>
Dear Parents of Howe Students:Principal
Next week, February 3 - 7, is Cancer Awareness Week. All Mt. Lebanon Elementary Students will be participating by wearing the "color of the day/cancer."
The list of Cancers and the Colors for the week are:
Monday- White- General Cancer Day
Tuesday- Teal- Ovarian Cancer Day
Wednesday- Light Blue- Prostate Cancer Day
Thursday- Pink- Breast Cancer Day
Friday- Red- Gilda's Club Day
Help us to increase awareness by encouraging your children to wear the appropriate color each day. Thank you.
Michelle Murray
I understand that some parents are concerned. What do you think?
Update February 3, 2014 12:39 PM I wasn't quite sure what teal looked like. Here is what I found:
 |
| teal |
74 comments:
I'm sure the intent was meant to be a positive gesture, but somehow this just gives new meaning to the phrase about how fleeting childhood is.
I think grade schoolers are too young for such serious stuff.
Grade school kids have parents, grandparents ,aunts and uncles with cancer. some have siblings with cancer. The parent who is concerned needs a lesson in parenting. You don't give the questioning first grader an anatomy lesson!
If you explain the prostate is near, say, the kidneys, a first grader will be fine with that.
Grade schoolers are not (nor should be) too young for this "serious stuff." Cancer is indiscriminate; many Lebo grade schoolers have exposure to protracted battles with cancer, whether fought by parents, grandparents or siblings. Those children affected by this disease deserve the awareness of their peers. I know we'd like to pretend that our children all live in a bubble, but that is not the case. Exposure to the difficulties of this life only make our children more compassionate and more resilient.
Why not have awareness days for all the life threatening diseases? Or Poverty Awareness Day? Kids are required to come to school without coats. How about a Starving Children Day? Our kids can go without lunch for a week.
Nice idea in theory People.
Seriously 9:05???
Why not make Dante's Inferno the first grade reader and memorization of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse - War, Famine, Pestilence and Death and Boticelli's Map of Hell mandatory.
The little kiddies will be so much happier, hopeful and vibrant.
Unbelievable!
8:58 AM, I get a little nervous when I hear, "The parent who is concerned needs a lesson in parenting." Nobody knows the child more than his or her parent.
Elaine
Oh and pipe Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries over the intercom at regular intervals.
Can't start indoctrinating kids too early!
Here are my questions. Are teachers expected to discuss and create awareness, in addition to children dressing in the cancer color of the day? Or is the school district leaving that up to parents?
Elaine
Oh no Elaine, the school district's lessons stop at the wrist band.
Otherwise, we must now require our elementary teachers to become students in oncolgy so they can answer any questions the kiddies might have.
I think requiring elementary students to wear "a color of the day" to represent cancer trivializes the subject.
Here is my concern about this. I was at a get together the other night where a child had burst into tears when someone was sharing the loss of a friend to cancer. Many Lebo Citizens readers were also at this event and know what I am talking about. It was very emotional for adults and children alike. I think children get their fair share of awareness, and process it in a way that they can handle. I am not sure that creating a schedule for different kinds of cancer might be the way to go. Incidentally, the type of cancer that robbed the friend's life was not on this list. Does the school district want to break it down into the many different kinds of cancer out there? There are more than 200 different types of cancer. You can develop cancer in any body organ. There are over 60 different organs in the body.
I agree with the first comment.
Elaine
I wonder if anyone has considered the poor kid that is dealing with a grandparent, parent or sibling battling cancer and the family's constant worry and stress.
Rather than the relief of learning and playing with peers to escape lets pile on with a few more hours of dealing with reality.
Well said Elaine and 12:50.
Elementary teachers aren't really trained, nor should they be, to handle this kind of stuff.
Their jobs and days are full enough.
Not trying to be snarky - Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer has two days. Where is lung cancer? Melanoma? Leukemia? Bladder cancer? Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma? Pancreatic?
How will you handle little kids who'll develop fears that they'll lose their parents to cancer? Kinda extreme, I know, but little kids have enough to worry about.
Really 8:58? You said "If you explain the prostate is near, say, the kidneys, a first grader will be fine with that."
You need an anatomy lesson. The prostate is not even near the kidneys! Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra. This is the tube that carries urine out of the body.
2:25 oh do you point out the absurdity of this whole.
You have parents and perhaps teachers pushing an agenda on which they have little or no professional knowledge.
I mean how silly to make a comment that the kids will be fine with an explanation that the prostrate is near the kidneys and they'll be fine with that.
What if the kids ask: "What is a prostrate?" What is a prostrate for?" "Do girls have prostrates?"
How about breast cancer? We had people flip out over a photo of a painting of a naked breast at the library. Now teachers are going to have to deal with little kids curious questions.
Isn't it enough we have "Cancer Awareness Day" at the Galleria? The "Walk for Life"? Pink ribbons and pink football shoes?
Not pickin on 2:42 but it is prostate not prostrate. A simple mistake but what if 2:42 is a teacher?
Yes a simple typo, it is prostate not prostrate and no I'm not a teacher.
I may not type well but I know where the prostate is.
What happens if a kid DOES NOT have a shirt that color? Are they shunned? Are they told to go home? This is Howe and with that school's past are THOSE kids punished? Teased?
More accurately this should be called
COVERT Awareness week.
Simply, that is what it is. Covert awareness is the knowledge of something without knowing it.
Children at young ages don't understand how they know what they know. When children learn new information, especially if not explained well, will draw their own inferences from what they perceive combined with new information which may be inaccurate.
In other words, what they see and learn isn't always realistic. When do kids learn and accept the beaker experiment? Some children simply won't believe the volume of liquids is the same in each beaker.
Think of the cereal fruit loops. The loops are different colors representing different flavors. In reality, all the loops are the same flavor!!
Just the other day I had a hard time convincing my child each loop tasted the same!
Why break down each cancer for a color? These colors have already been established by others, not the school. As Elaine pointed out there are at least 200 kinds of cancers! Bladder cancer's color is Marigold/Blue/Purple.
Ironic to my fruit loop analogy is that recent research points to glucose (sugar) being the food for cancer. If you want to program young kids' little minds, do it with PREVENTION of cancer. I'm not arguing about sugar consumption here.
I urge everyone to read this post from Tim Ferris' blog about his thoughts on the cause of cancer. More importantly, what causes cancer to proliferate.
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2014/01/28/cancer-treatment/
I wondered about that, 4:07 PM. How many have teal clothing?
4:15 PM, I wonder how a child would feel if a loved one died of a cancer not being represented?
I think that everyone had the best of intentions, but I don't think they thought it through completely.
Elaine
At first glance the email I thought about the mothers I know that have died or are dying from Ovarian Cancer. I thought perhaps it was a nice gesture. Then I started to wonder how the children of the mother that died recently from cancer would feel. Would it rehash what the children went through, watching their mother slowly die? For a week, a day I am certain they would get nods of sympathy from other kids. But what about the next week?
These colors don't represent awareness of a disease to young children. I think, more likely, the colors will make them think of their parents' possible death! That is very upsetting to young children! For some children this will simply create unheeded anxiety.
I don't want my kid to think of ovarian cancer every time they wear teal.
Did an educator think this up? If so, not a very good one and this is not very well thought out considering how children form thoughts and concepts.
Piaget determined that children are able to incorporate inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning involves drawing inferences from observations in order to make a generalization. In contrast, children struggle with deductive reasoning, which involves using a generalized principle in order to try to predict the outcome of an event. Children in this stage commonly experience difficulties with figuring out logic in their heads.
Personally, I am not impressed with the pink ribbon campaign and limply support it. In fact it depresses me. It is a fact most of the money raised through pink ribbon does not go toward funds for a cure.
http://squiggybuttons.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/breast-cancer-awareness-dont-buy-the-hype-pink-ribbon/
For further reading check out why "Only one-third of adults can reason formally"
http://www.brainstages.net/the4thr
In addition, what bothers me about this is the agenda behind it. I suppose dropping dead from a heart attack is less worthy of a campaign. No mention of February 7th being heart awareness day. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women and is often a silent killer.
This is a poorly thought out plan by the school district (this is not Dr. Murray's plan) to raise "awareness" in grade school aged kids. Also, notification of this plan was given one day's notice. Barely time to upgrade laundry priorities for the week let alone give any protest or opinion.
Is this awareness plan supposed to accomplish something we are "unaware" of? Publicity for our school district or Lebo? I am suspicious.
Can someone tell me when health class is started? Third grade? Is a cancer discussion in the curriculum?
I truly hope those with the powers that be in the school district reevaluate this plan, especially for the grade schoolers. Perhaps they are doing exactly as they intend and this is better thought out than I realize.
What color represents stupid drivers who do u-turns in crosswalks or texting while driving?
Maybe a better idea would be to allow kids to make a small donation to a cancer charity like the Cancer Caring Place or The American Cancer Society and in return the children may wear their pajamas to school for a day. They could donate any amount they choose and maybe this will make them feel like they are able to make a difference in the fight against cancer instead of just wearing the color of the day. Just a thought and I'm sure other blog readers would be able to come up with some great ideas to make this a positive experience for the children instead of a fearful and negative one.
5:48 PM, that might be a better campaign for elementary school children, a concept that they can grasp better than having to worry about 200 types of cancer.
4:47 PM, is there a way that you can find out whose idea this was? Was it PTA? Was it an administrator? Was it a school board director?
Elaine
You really THINK they care whether you like, dislike, or anything about their policies? In the late 60's the PTA announced that education of "our" students would not approve till parents were removed completely from the process. I remember because that was the last meeting my wife and I attended. The following September ALL of our children were enrolled in private schools. We I transferred to Pittsburgh the one selling point of Mt Lebanon Schools were that K-6 students walked home for lunch. My kids failed lunch at our prior school so this was a selling point for my wife. Now I understand that kids stay at school for lunch. Is this true? Also heard that the kid's lunches are checked for certain items llike sugary treats. Is this true?
I think a high school student campaigned for this idea after observing his/her parent struggle with recurrent cancer.
I haven’t seen any studies of promoting cancer awareness among elementary school aged children. Cancer awareness programs, when delivered to adolescents, however, can help them identify symptoms earlier and communicate concerns.
There are also cancer prevention programs adopted by school districts that can assist in reducing the risk of skin cancers that develop as a result of exposure during childhood. Mt Lebanon School District should incorporate such a program into their mandated School Wellness policy.
6:37 - thank goodness they changed their lunch policy, or no working mother (without full time help) would ever consider moving here. I certainly wouldn't!!!
Oh come on! EVERYONE in Mt Lebanon is rich and has multiple servants to care for their kids. Money isn't an issue! But I know that my neighbors are stay-at-home moms but their kids don't come home for lunch. Is it now a requirement that kids stay at school? We're old and out-of-the-loop.
Will there be a mad rush at Kohls or Target for teal clothes for Tuesday ?
Since 2004 the number of students receiving subsidized lunches has gone from less than 200 to more the 400 or close to 8% of the students in Lebo. If I remember correctly almost half of the increase was due to Dr. Steinhauer making an administrative change to raise his academic standing among his peers. But I digress. Maybe Dr. Steinhauer should consider that not all families can go out and buy the color of the day just to fit in. Did he consider that there is a chance that not every student has something in Teal, Pink or even Red. White and "Light" Blue (not just Blue) might be safe. Can he really be that insensitive and disconnected from the real world?
If you're going to do this at all, why not have the older kids make Rainbow Loom bracelets in colors relating to the specific cancers.
That way the kids could discuss their reason for picking say -- "why'd you pick light blue?" "Because my grandpa has prostate cancer."
"Oh... don't worry my dad had that and he's fine. Hope he gets better!"
That way the kids deal with this by talking it out and with the proceeds being donated to cancer research feel they're actually doing something.
Maybe the kids could make rainbow colored tie-dyed shirts to stand for awareness of being aware!
Hey, it even makes a good lesson for art class.
Just Askin', yes, increased subsidized lunches got us in the US News & World Report Silver Rankings as I wrote about in the blog post, Relentless, is it?. And yes, I digress, as well.
Instead of buying awareness colors clothing, I do like the suggestions here. It would be nice if the district would consider them, if they do this again next year for the elementary school level. They might be more age appropriate.
Elaine
Here's another suggestion.
Have the kids paint grass on a plain white T shirt.
That'll make them and especially their parents aware of the carcinogens and potential health risks warnings from the EPA on artificial turf.
Like to see the school district discuss the EPA study with them!
Oh no, no, no 1:40!
That's a bad, bad idea.
We don't want the kids or parents to be that aware.
Commissioner Linfante told us the Environmental Sustainability Board had no problem with artificial turf.
Now you want to go and upset the apple cart.
Good Lord. I'm still trying to get my child's school to teach math properly. Do these little kids really need to be "made aware" of cancer? They don't hear about it from their families? See the ribbons all over the products we buy? Focus on learning. And play. Recess. Friends. Again - I'd appreciate more stacking, carrying and borrowing. Maybe a few decimals and fractions. This colored shirt cancer awareness week doesn't seem appropriate for the Elementary age kids. Does 8:58am have a suggestion for a parenting class for me?
By the time my children reached kindergarten, they were already familiar with cancer, chemo, risks, types, and death. They don’t need a lesson in cancer types connected to a variety of shirt colors. The cancer awareness week diminishes the impact cancer has already had on their lives.
What my children and all of the children in this district *need* is a school district and municipality that takes their risk for developing cancer seriously. They need health promotion, risk reduction, and science in their schools and in their community. They need cancer prevention to be woven into their daily lives. They need leadership that makes decisions that are enlightened by research, science, medicine, public health initiatives, nutrition, common sense, and above all, parents. Mt Lebanon needs parents and residents to urge these leaders to do a better job. We don’t need superficial initiatives that will do nothing to alleviate the ongoing suffering students experience due to cancer in their lives, or mitigate their future chances of developing cancer. Please speak up and tell the schools to take health seriously.
So parents, what are you doing? Will your child be participating? Are you contacting any school officials to share your concerns?
Has there been any feedback from your child?
Is this another teaching moment?
Elaine
mtl on Facebook-
This week is Cancer Awareness Week in Mt. Lebanon schools, organized by Alex Needles, in cooperation with Gilda's Club of Western Pennsylvania. He started it four years ago in honor of his mom, Chris', two successful battles. The goal is to inform students about the disease and show support and love to those who are touched by it.
Wow what a waste of a post.
Are you really going to bash cancer awareness?
Many children in Mt. Lebanon have been impacted by cancer. We have a huge turnout for the Relay for Life each year and much of that turnout is children.
Do you really think it's that big of a deal to ask parents who want to involve their children in cancer awareness to pull out an outfit with a certain color on it?
Remember, it is not the school district that identified this as cancer awareness week. They are simply telling those that want to be involved how they can show support for cancer awareness.
I'm done with this post. Move on already.
Thank you, 6:08 PM. Here are two very nice comments under their post.
Elaine
Gilda's Club Western Pennsylvania - We are so proud and grateful for all that Alex has done for those in our community who have been touched by cancer. Thank you to Alex and all who helped organize Cancer Awareness Week!
Angela At Gilda's Club - Thanks to Alex and all involved! What a great example you are for your peers!
I shouldn't have to learn from Facebook or Elaine's Blog what exactly is involved in Cancer Awareness Week in the Mt. Lebanon schools. I should've been informed by the school district (at least prior to Friday afternoon which is when I got an email). Simply telling me it's Cancer Awareness week didn't seem like enough. Would they be discussing this in class? Would there be some sort of assembly? Would there be activities in the school for this Awareness Week? What was the purpose of doing this in the schools? And what are the goals? A little bit of information goes a long way. My child made no mention of it today. When I asked, she said that there was no discussion of it in her classroom today. We're all different. Not all of us feel this is appropriate. That doesn't make us bad parents or that we are bashing cancer awareness. Just wearing a different colored tshirt without engaging the kids and making it a teaching moment seems just silly to me.
6:11, I don't think anyone here is bashing --- Cancer Awareness --- but rather as 6:59 says the silliness of this exercise.
1st, 2nd 3rd graders don't have to tools yet to connect T shirts with complicated cancers and the consequences.
They are maturing though where they can feel for friends, neighbors and family and that is why the Rainbow loom bracelets are a good teaching idea if awareness is the real goal rather than parents feel good moments.
Kids can connect and share feelings and awareness by buying a colored bracelet and saying something like, "Jane, I bought a pink bracelet to wear for your mom (with breast cancer)!"
"I know she's sick and I really care!"
Now that's cancer awareness at an elementary school level.
The kids get involved picking a bracelet color, contributing and talking.
That's awareness for a 6 year old.
For first and second aren't teachers still trying to get kids to make association that green means go, red means stop and yellow signifies caution.
Now we're going to add pink represents breast cancer, teal is ovarian cancer, light blue is prostate, etc., etc. Is that the lesson or is the exercise about something else?
It makes sense to build cancer awareness in school but it should be done in a way that is developmentally appropriate and meaningful. It is amazing that a high school student brought this subject to the district’s attention and I applaud him for his efforts. But now it makes sense that the district should take this student’s efforts seriously and develop a program that improves upon the activities this year. For example, Livestrong at School is a free age-appropriate curriculum offered through Scholastic that can help students learn how cancer affects individuals and what they can do to help. The curriculum offers different materials for grades K-2, 3-6, 7-8, and 9-12. Not only does the program build awareness of cancer, it demonstrates how making healthy choices can reduce the risk of developing cancer. In addition, PBS’s beloved show “Arthur” partnered with Livestrong for a special episode that would be appropriate for the youngest students. The school should gather these materials, in addition to other resources, and offer a solid program next year. The high school student is right —both children and adults are impacted by cancer and awareness can help us be better prepared. But the awareness has to reach a deeper level next time, and parents deserve to be well informed with more advanced notice.
Sigh...
Even if you're not bashing cancer awareness week...the tone used makes it sound like you are. When it was revealed that a current student came up with the idea in honor of his mothers 2 fights with cancer, all of sudden there is pleasant backtracking.
Some of the ideas put out were great, and should be pleasantly brought up to an administrator or at a PTA meeting. Instead, more complaining instead of proactive creative brainstorming occurs. Maybe we should all take a page from this kids book, and try to help, not tear down through complaining on a blog.
FYI
This is congruent with world cancer day, which happens to be 2/4/2014.
http://www.worldcancerday.org/
"not tear down through complaining on a blog." You mean like you have been doing? I thought you were done.
People have been told that they need lessons in parenting. Where were you for that? Parents have a right to ask questions. They deserve answers. 11:11 PM, about tone...
Elaine
No pleasant backtracking as the suggestions were offered way before the revelation 11:11.
Perhaps if you opened your mind earlier rather than looking to shut people out or off we as a community could do even greater things... in education, in youth sports, land development and yes, cancer awareness.
You say less complaining and more proactive brainstorming, but you start off admitting some of the ideas were great. Were and how do you think the brainstorming ideas came from?
Analyzing the awareness campaigm, discussing it shortcomings and then figuring ways to make it better.
6:10: first of let me say how short-sighted your post is. This is NOT a cancer bashing post!
Secondly, I am the person, Jake, who contacted Elaine and asked her the above question. My family has had drastic impacts from cancer. I am currently waiting for my BRAC gene results. I am VERY aware of cancer. My father had a massive heart attack when I was only 5 years old, so I know firsthand how illness and death can affect a very young child.
Thirdly, did you read anyone else's comments before you simply posted yours? Go back and read Elaine's post at 12:52. Read the post at 4:15.
The problem is not asking people to participate in cancer awareness week. The problem is that this is a poor exercise of awareness in a population (young children) that aren't able to use this information with fully developed logic. I hope I am being clear.
Children are many things and undoubtedly resilient. Great idea from Alex, but the color wearing request demonstrates ignorance LEBO school district has of children's cognitive and emotional development. Or, they do understand and are willing to offer our young kids up for psychological grooming.
Dr. Murray was merely delivering the message. I do not blame her.
The intent of this post is that young children simply do not have the ability to form certain concepts fully. Also, parents were not given notice nor asked if they wished their child to participate!
From what I gathered from my children today some teachers gave kids white strings because someone in that teacher's family had cancer. In no way was that meaningful for my child or for the child whose parent has cancer. My other child
came away with the awareness of scheduling a red shirt for Friday. I do not believe this is the expected nor intended outcome of Alex's proposal and Gilda Radner's association.
My question was answered that an educator did not come up with the idea. However a Lebo educator egregiously or ignorantly approved it for ELEMENTARY aged children.
I am not bashing cancer but I am bashing the poor choice LEBO district made for our ELEMENTARY school-aged children. Perhaps my expectations from what is supposed to be a premier school district are too high.
Signed,
Jake
Jake, you are so right and no Ms. Murray isn't to blame here except for maybe letting a group of well-intentioned parents run with an idea without thinking it through.
But the bigger lesson to be learned here is how things are in Mt. Lebanon right now.
How many times do we have to see it before it sinks in.
"I have no intention of revisiting bldg. C." Cappucci on the suggestions by the CAC (12 bldg. professionals) on the high school project.
Snickering and comments from the audience during a petition presention to control HS project spending.
"What the kluck" instead of waiting to see if anything worthwide develops from a "town hall."
Full speed ahead on the Washington/Bower Hill TIF, though people advised against it.
"Don't buy the McNeilly property" and now we have an empty lot.
"Lets sell field signs, the revenue will roll in!"
"Lets spend lots of money on a capital campaign!"
And now, this T-shirt idea and what is the response to people that question the goal and don't accept it with open arms... "Wow what a waste of a post. Are you really going to bash cancer awareness?"
"I'm done with this post. Move on already."
There, I believe is a perfect example of what is wrong with the leadership and direction this community is headed. Leaders and high-profile residents have an agenda, put it in motion and if you don't fall in step, its--- "how can you bash xxxxxx... Move on already, I'm done with you."
"Move on, I'm done with you." --- That is the cancer invading this community
Beautifully said, Feb. 3 at 3:32 PM. Yes, that is what the children of this district need. I hope everyone takes your advice, speaks up and tells the district to take health seriously.
The municipality and school district should also do due diligence on the turf issue and wake up to the fact that children who will play on these surfaces will likely face an increased risk of developing cancer later in life because of the toxic material and carcinogens in all artificial turf.
http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/02/03/5-reasons-to-teach-spelling-handwriting-in-the-new-year/
"Students will be better students if they are equipped with spelling and handwriting skills, which are critical for reading and writing success and act as stepping stones to higher test scores. While the Common Core State Standards focus on higher-level learning, they do not make the case for every foundational skill, leaving schools with the option of choosing whether to teach essential skills, such as handwriting and spelling.
Here are five evidence-based reasons for teaching spelling and handwriting explicitly and for carving out about 15 minutes a day during the reading and language arts block for each of these foundational skills:
Neuroscience and brain scanning reveal that retrieving spelling patterns in a special word-form area of the left hemisphere activates reading and writing circuitry. That is to say, associating sounds with spelling patterns that access meaningful language activates reading systems. Spelling knowledge is essential for flawless operation of both reading and writing brain-processing systems.
Spelling instruction helps beginners break the complex code of English. When conventional spelling is taught in balance with developmental spelling and writing for meaning, students are on track for proficient reading and writing by the end of first grade. In the beginning phases, the processing of spelling, reading and writing are nearly one and the same in terms of activating reading circuitry in the brain.
Handwriting instruction has been found to contribute to success with beginning readers. Brain scan studies show that early manuscript lessons help activate and coordinate reading circuitry.
Spelling expertise and handwriting ability lead to automaticity and fluency in both writing and reading. Expertise in both of these areas gives students confidence, helps them respond more quickly, and makes it easier to perform well on high-stakes tests.
Spelling and handwriting comingle splendidly with technology for literacy. Digital resources, such asonline games and apps, enhance opportunities for literacy development in the 21st century, but steer clear of the notion that technology replaces the need for these literacy-boosting skills, which work deep in the brain."
Or we can have grade school students focus on what color cancer a T-shirt represents.
The point the 2:32 pm post.
Want to make elementary students cancer aware and at the same time advance their development.
Incorporate cancer awareness into the curriculum, have them write papers on their experiences or questions about cancer.
Of course, this adds more work for teachers and they won't like parents adding to their work load.
I wonder how school students from 1635 (oldest public school in America) to February 2, 2014 learned about and dealt with cancer(s) if they didn't know which color represented which cancer.
Could we say they weren't cancer aware, they were cancer ignorant?
Were they worse off for being so unaware?
Yes, 1:55 PM, it would be hypocritical of the school district to have their athletic director supporting artificial turf, after celebrating Cancer Awareness Week.
Elaine
Wow 8:06 a.m. Even after the posts shortly before yours explain (correctly) that the idea for wearing the different color shirts was proposed by a high school student, you still say the idea was from "well-intentioned parents." Better yet, you work in Building C, the TIF, and more into a discussion about the t-shirts. What a shame because I think the original question of the post was a valid one--is this an appropriate idea for elementary students? But posts like yours are why this blog isn't taken seriously.
I think that sadly many young children have had to deal with cancer's affects on themselves, a family member, or a friend in some way. And I applaud the high school student for trying to create awareness and support. But I agree with posters who question how much the students will actually learn from this exercise. My understanding is that at Howe last year, they did a Pennies for Patients drive to raise money for the fight against leukemia and lung cancer. I think something like that is far more meaningful because it shows that even a small amount can help, and that when we band together, we can do good things. I know at least several of the elementary schools have students participate in activities like Jump Rope for Heart, which promotes fitness and raises money for the fight against heart disease. So I think that there is an attempt being made to talk about different diseases and give even young children the chance to help--and teach them their efforts matter. If you believe the shirt idea falls short on this, why not contact the district and suggest other, more meaningful ways that children can be involved in charitable activities and show support for those affected by different diseases? Or you could rant about unrelated topics for which Elaine has already provided plenty of opportunities for dicussion.
12:16 AM, you managed to work in the part about why this blog isn't taken seriously. According to whom? This is the mindset of the school board members, both current and past directors.
Elaine
Wow and double wow, 8:06.
Before you run off your mouth why don't you do some research. Here's the school district's own PR on the high school students cancer awareness initiative.
"Hello, my name is Alex Needles, and I am a senior here at Mt. Lebanon High School.
Over the past 4 years, I have started "Cancer Awareness Week" in the High School, to provide support for students affected by cancer. Over the Awareness Week, which is February 3-7, we provide ribbons for students to wear, and honor teachers who are affected by different cancers."
The complete article can be found on the district home page.
Nowhere in the article is there a request for different colored T-shirts to be worn on specific days.
Perhaps, I've missed that part of the students campaign, but until you "educate" me, I'll assume the t-shirts are the brain child of some "well-intentioned parents."
But, hey thanks for proving my main point that some people would prefer to construct walls and bash people than work to achieve even greater goals.
Who said anything about the various "participation" awareness activities?
Having mommy or daddy lay out your color appropriate T-shirt doesn't require a lot of awareness.
Even picking out the daily ribbon in homeroom requires more participation from the young students.
Correction: Wow and double wow, [12:16]. Not 8:06.
12:16 here's a suggestion that you take to Howe for cancer awareness.
There are approximately 334 students enrolled there.
Its might be a good bet that every student has every color T-shirt for Cancer Awareness Week so parents need to run out and plunk down $2.00 or so on a Teal or other color shirt.
So, lets 'fine' students or maybe let them buy a 'wrong color shirt' pass for $1.00.
The proceeds from which are given to a Cancer Research program voted on by the students.
334 kids buy at least one pass each the school raises at least $334 to fight cancer.
Plus the Lebo Green Team will love that we don't have 334 moms driving to Target or Walmart to find a Teal shirt, therefore not polluting the environment. :-)
On Monday, I set out for my elementary child a white shirt to wear for white shirt day. Yesterday, I didn't worry about it, because he/she does not own a teal shirt. Last night, he/she came to me and said that they need to wear a light blue shirt on Wednesday. I told him/her which shirt to wear, and he/she was relieved that he/she had one to wear. I'm wondering what is going on in school when they do not wear the color for the day.
That makes me sad, 3:44 PM. I am sorry that your child experienced that yesterday.
Elaine
12:16: You sound vaguely familiar , like a Dave. LOL
How would I know to look at the highschool's PR page? Dr. Murray sent out the email on Friday for Monday! No notice, no real emphasis on anything but a color plan.
Good for Alex Needles! But HE is still a child, too! Who's watching his back?
Maybe the kids should have worn the SAME white shirts all week long to truly create a message for all cancers.
There is NO WAY my running to a store to buy my kid the correct color of clothes is meaningful. What a waste of money and time.
How are we as parents supposed to feel free to suggest anything to the school district? Lebo has a silent "my way or the highway policy".
Sorry, its MY policy that I don't introduce things needlessly or haphazardly to my children.
This thwarted effort by Alex just stinks of how everyone must conform to the bubble.
Needles isn't the problem here, he's a student that had an idea and brought it to fruition and he's to be applauded for his initiative.
The issue arose when someone decided elementary kids "had to wear color T-shirts" at Howe.
There's been no mention of Lincoln, Foster, Markham, Jefferson or Hoover requiring T-shirts.
Are those kids ignoring cancer awareness?
My goodness how will they ever survive in this cruel, cruel world without a Teal colored T-shirt?
It is my understanding that all the elementary schools were participating. I know that Jefferson
Elementary students were to wear the designated cancer colors to school.
Elaine
Wear the color or wear a color T-shirt?
Here is Alex's story.
Elaine
Wear the color, 11:22 PM.
After reading Alex's story, which was quite touching, I think I see the breakdown in communication. The elementary school principals should have mentioned that pieces of yarn in corresponding colors would be available for those who wanted to participate, but did not have anything in that color.
The other thing that I find fascinating is that Alex was able to organize this district wide initiative successfully. How many parents have gone to the district with ideas and were dismissed without an ounce of consideration?
Elaine
Just some ponderings on life and childrearing prompted by this cancer awareness campaign and a comment made 2/4@3:17.
The first English settlement— Jamestown, was started in 1585. In the 429 years since, children have had to deal with losing parents, relatives, siblings, friends, teachers, neighbors to desease, pestilence, famine, war, natural disasters and somehow they survived, no flourished to build the greatest, most compassionate country the world has ever known.
These kids grew up and went onto develop vaccines, that did things like eradicate polio, procedures for conquering some cancers.
Somehow, they did all this without awareness weeks.
This isn't meant to diminish Alex's initiate or compassion, perhaps he needed to do this, but does it say something that we believe our kids aren't aware of something unless we adults guide them with a color-coded ribbon or shirt? Why now?
Just a thought and wondering if anyone else has pondered the above questions.
I could be completely offbase.
The only tying factor is that this story is another focus on a MtL student taking initiative. Hopefully you saw this Ellen and want to make a feature on it. (It touches on the PAYT initiative as well)
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2014/02/06/SSURVEY0130/stories/201401300024
Thanks 3:03, its great to read that young adults like Alex and Mira are thinking about the world around them.
Mira's survey on PAYT is certainly interesting.
Here's a suggestion for Mira's next project, see if her fellow students have any suggestions how to get the 70% or so of registered that don't vote to get involved in local affairs and then turnout to vote.
Update 2-6-14: Be sure to tune in to KDKA tonight at 6pm to watch a story on Cancer Awareness Week featuring Alex Needles, Mrs. Connie Booth, Mrs. Shelly Saba, Mrs. Lia Christulides, and Mrs. Tara Leja.
Thank you, Elaine, for posting the original link to the reasoning behind the T shirt wearing and Alex Needles' story. As you can see it was updated today. While I am very sympathetic to his family's plight and glad to know his mother is still alive, however, I think there is more to this issue.
When I received the original email, I was not given a link to Alex's story, nor any reasoning, activities to occur nor helpful links I could reference to help me deal with explaining things to my child, especially in a school situation without my observation. I regard that as thoughtless and honestly a little half-assed by the district.
I had to sign a permission form for my child to participate in the notorious "5th grade sex talk", but nothing for this. For example the prostate is more closely related to male sex organs (not the kidneys).
I do think the story of cancer is very different for those who fought battles and won versus others who also fought with every fiber of their being and lost. I know women dear to me that lost their personal war on cancer. Despite "Alex's" efforts, I am doubtful this will help the young children whose parents in this district died from cancer. I am very concerned for other children whose parents died from other causes.
I would be interested to know how Alex proposed this plan to our school district. If he did not have the backing of Gilda's club what deaf ears would his idea fallen upon?
This new update to Lebo school district's site confirms my suspicions. Publicity. With the past performance of our district's administrative antics I question their ability to reason and their motives.
Apparently Needles' made a video to be introduced at the beginning of this week. Alex's idea would have garnered more of my support if Dr. Steinhauer had sent a district wide email in a timely fashion with parent's ability to comment.
Even with all of this information (that I should have had last week) I think this week's T-shirt wearing exercise is not useful, helpful or appropriate for elementary aged children. It is, however, a huge demonstration of the respect Lebo school district has for the parents.
Thank you everyone for discussing a sensitive subject that may enable new policy and curriculum on the best way to teach and when to introduce this topic to young children if it is a must.
Sincerely,
Jake
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