Compulsory Community Service Plan?

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Era Might' post='1697718' date='Nov 8 2008, 10:32 AM']I don't see how physical education fits in with your view of a school. You said that community service would impede academic studies. How then does gym class not impede academic studies?[/quote]
Then perhaps you have the same reading comprehension problem that the middle school children entering the high school I work at have. The real purpose of phys. ed. is to prevent obesity through physical activity.

[quote name='Era Might' post='1697718' date='Nov 8 2008, 10:32 AM']Virtue cannot be forced, but the opportunity for virtue can be. Citizens who are required to serve on jury duty, for example, can still perform their service virtuously.[/quote]
Then let the kids serve on juries, and end it at that. The community service programs in the area where I live are merely symbolic, and they normally promote a form of "justice" that is in reality hedonistic materialism (e.g., the promotion of "gay" rights, defense of choice, etc.).

There is no community service requirement where I teach, but the kids choose on their own to do many things that exemplify the virtues that the school tries to inspire within them. Nevertheless, those types of activities remain completely voluntary.

Edited November 8, 2008 by Apotheoun

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Era Might' post='1697726' date='Nov 8 2008, 10:35 AM']That is a separate issue. Whether community service programs are well-run is a different question from whether students should be involved in some kind of community service. A Catholic school could require community service that is entirely consistent with Catholic principles.[/quote]
You are more naive than I thought. These programs were instituted in the 1990s as a form of propaganda to promote, for lack of a better word, a liberal agenda.

Edited November 8, 2008 by Apotheoun

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

Community service requirements can often do more harm than good. My wife was driven away from the Church by a psycho DRE who said her hours volunteering in the church nursery weren't service because it wasn't the type of service the DRE wanted her to do. She basically had sacraments held over her head and said "shove this" and left.

I am not confident of a federal community service requirement. There is going to be so much corruption as far as getting certain organizations approved and certain organizations not being allowed. You can easily have a group like Acorn getting approval and groups that advocate self-reliance and smaller government disallowed.

[Era Might]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1697728' date='Nov 8 2008, 12:38 PM']Then perhaps you have the same reading comprehension problem that the middle school children entering the high school I work at have. The real purpose of phys. ed. is to prevent obesity through physical activity.[/quote]
I understand the purpose of physical education. But how is that, in your view of a school, the school's responsibility? You said that the school should emphasize reading and writing. How does physical education accomplish that?

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Era Might' post='1697736' date='Nov 8 2008, 10:42 AM']I understand the purpose of physical education. But how is that, in your view of a school, the school's responsibility? You said that the school should focus on reading and writing. How does physical education accomplish that?[/quote]
How many years have you been teaching? I have been a teacher for more than 4 years now, and the physical activity that P.E. requires keeps the kids mentally alert, while also making them a bit, but only a bit, healthier. Sadly, a large number of the kids at my school are overweight. But then they only have two hours of P.E. a week, because the college prep courses that they take consume the vast majority of their time.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='1337 k4th0l1x0r' post='1697735' date='Nov 8 2008, 10:42 AM']Community service requirements can often do more harm than good. My wife was driven away from the Church by a psycho DRE who said her hours volunteering in the church nursery weren't service because it wasn't the type of service the DRE wanted her to do. She basically had sacraments held over her head and said "shove this" and left.

I am not confident of a federal community service requirement. There is going to be so much corruption as far as getting certain organizations approved and certain organizations not being allowed. You can easily have a group like Acorn getting approval and groups that advocate self-reliance and smaller government disallowed.[/quote]
Yes, sadly the Catholic Church in America has been infected with this same progressivist ideology.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='Saint Therese' post='1697485' date='Nov 8 2008, 12:56 AM']Its all good until its you that "has to" volunteer.[/quote]
Been there, done that - 3 years in Vista / Peace Corps. Thats why I say EVERYONE should hav to serve their country.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1697828' date='Nov 8 2008, 12:09 PM']Been there, done that - 3 years in Vista / Peace Corps. Thats why I say EVERYONE should hav to serve their country.[/quote]
If you have to do it it is no longer service.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1697621' date='Nov 8 2008, 09:56 AM']Of course it would be.


I was going to say the same thing. There was once a time when schools were created with the idea that everyone should know how to read, do math, learn some history, master the art of penmanship.... Somewhere along the way it became the place to get fed (two meals a day!) spend the afternoons, have your health care records maintained, learn about "social issues" etc. There is not longer a need for community, church or family... School is your one-stop shop.[/quote]
Considering some of the homes and neighborhoods kids come from now, school can be the only place where they get a hot meal, clean clothes or health care or a sense of safety. Families and society no longer provide a safety net for kids and somplace had to take up the slack. I don't like it either, but it doesn't change the reality of some parts of America.

[KnightofChrist]

Is this the first phase in the creation of Obama National Civil Force which will be just as strong and just as well funded as the strongest Army in the World?

Sounds like it maybe a draft in a youth army. No thanks.

[littleflower+JMJ]

I definitely agree with hsmom, Apo and Jay!

These ideas are nice but its actually just moving the line over and over to where there is no need to have parents, family and church activities and involvement.

When the government is taking on the responsibility of teaching American youth everything there is something dangerously wrong. We already see that in the sex education classes which really should be called "grooming future PP customers". What kind of agenda and erroneous teaching will these additional programs have?

Now they are just trying to take the line and cross it more.

[cmotherofpirl]

Our kids are required to do community service to graduate from high school. I think its an excellent idea to involve them in community activities as teenagers, since for many children its their first taste of the real world and how other people live outside their tight little neighborhoods.

[KnightofChrist]

[quote name='littleflower+JMJ' post='1697835' date='Nov 8 2008, 03:16 PM']I definitely agree with hsmom, Apo and Jay!

These ideas are nice but its actually just moving the line over and over to where there is no need to have parents, family and church activities and involvement.

When the government is taking on the responsibility of teaching American youth everything there is something dangerously wrong. We already see that in the sex education classes which really should be called "grooming future PP customers". What kind of agenda and erroneous teaching will these additional programs have?

Now they are just trying to take the line and cross it more.[/quote]

A weed by any other name.... Socialism/Marxism/Communism.

Edited November 8, 2008 by KnightofChrist

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1697832' date='Nov 8 2008, 02:14 PM']Considering some of the homes and neighborhoods kids come from now, school can be the only place where they get a hot meal, clean clothes or health care or a sense of safety. Families and society no longer provide a safety net for kids and somplace had to take up the slack. I don't like it either, but it doesn't change the reality of some parts of America.[/quote]

The problem, though, and I realize this is a vicious circle, is that because schools do it all, families, churches and communities are "off the hook" with regard to stepping up. Unfortunately, I don't see how it can be slowed and reversed... it certainly shouldn't be increased.

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1697836' date='Nov 8 2008, 02:19 PM']Our kids are required to do community service to graduate from high school. I think its an excellent idea to involve them in community activities as teenagers, since for many children its their first taste of the real world and how other people live outside their tight little neighborhoods.[/quote]
I am all in favor of young people (in particular) doing community or church service. As my children get older, I intend to "require" them to find some way for them to pursue an interest while volunteering (as it is, there are little opportunities-- too young yet... though we do some things). Imho, this will help them to pursue areas of interest, learn about different people, learn skills, and help in an area that is of value to our family.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1697836' date='Nov 8 2008, 12:19 PM']Our kids are required to do community service to graduate from high school. I think its an excellent idea to involve them in community activities as teenagers, since for many children its their first taste of the real world and how other people live outside their tight little neighborhoods.[/quote]
I do not think that so-called "community service" should be required for graduation, but I certainly encourage the young people at my school to give of themselves by helping those who are less fortune. Compulsory community service is not a true service, but a job, and I would rather have my students studying the subjects necessary in order to succeed in college and eventually in life and not wasting time with a symbolic politically correct activity.

Edited November 8, 2008 by Apotheoun