All aboard

Ever been up the down escalator? Seems pretty futile, but that's how I feel everyday the bell rings and the school day ends.

Everyday the bell rings to end school and the children are sent home. Sent to a cold, dark and non-nurturing environment. Many have to fend for themselves because mom or dad is working late. Many have to fend for themselves because there is no mom or dad at home. Many have to take care of a sibling while mom and dad are working, or mom and dad just want to put the responsibility on the child. I enjoyed my childhood, because my mother told me that my job was going to school and getting good grades.

Everyday the bell rings to end school and children are sent home. Sent home to violence. Sent home to a community that teaches values of the street, not the suite. Sent home with a mean look on their face, because a smile means you're soft. We teach students skills that would get them hurt in the streets. It's fine to say sorry, please, thank you, and excuse me, while at school. Unfortunately, many of these same skills that are welcomed in mainstreet are discouraged in MLK boulevard.

Everyday the bell rings to end school and children are sent home. One day they won't have to go home to the empty house or the rough streets. One day, they'll go home with me. They'll go home to the dorms of my boarding school. A school that will nurture all the behaviors that truly lead to success in the suites, not the streets. I would staff my boarding house with college grads who cannot afford to buy a house or pay rent. There would also be veteran teachers who want to dedicate themselves to a great cause.

Each day, students would receive intense life building, study, communication, and career building skills. The onsite social worker and psychologist would assist with behavioral issues. Since I'm a realist, I know my utopia will have its share of problems. Students would be able to go home after school Friday and return by 3 pm Sunday.

I can't tell you how many times parents have come to the school after the child was involved in a fight, and tell me; "If a bitch touch you, whoop a bitch ass."