Sun Blog - compare and contrast

[Avenging Eagle]

steckmom said:

Not exactly, but kind of, yes. I wasn't here at the time of NVHS, but I certainly heard all about it from all sides.

Hey, I'm not innocent here, we all stereotype. But for goodness sake, that isn't the issue.

From the OP:

brad204 said:

I hope you take advantage of it to share some valuable lessons:
1.People will not always agree - our democratic society allows for this, along with paths to peaceful resolution
2.Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are precious rights -we should appreciate them
3.Stereotypes are hurtful and wrong - we should all do our best to stop perpetuating them
4.Sources of information are not always reliable - they should be examined and critiqued for validity

Point #3 says that stereotyping is one of the root problems which caused our situation right now.

Please try not to stereotype and we should all be standing up against those who stereotype communities, neighborhoods, and subdivisions.

[steckmom]

avengingeagle said:

steckmom said:

Not exactly, but kind of, yes. I wasn't here at the time of NVHS, but I certainly heard all about it from all sides.

Hey, I'm not innocent here, we all stereotype. But for goodness sake, that isn't the issue.

From the OP:

brad204 said:

I hope you take advantage of it to share some valuable lessons:
1.People will not always agree - our democratic society allows for this, along with paths to peaceful resolution
2.Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are precious rights -we should appreciate them
3.Stereotypes are hurtful and wrong - we should all do our best to stop perpetuating them
4.Sources of information are not always reliable - they should be examined and critiqued for validity

Point #3 says that stereotyping is one of the root problems which caused our situation right now.

Please try not to stereotype and we should all be standing up against those who stereotype communities, neighborhoods, and subdivisions.

And my point was that comparing and contrasting the sites is irrelevant.

We should try not to stereotype, but it still exists and it isn't going away. Not stereotyping and calling out stereotypes isn't going to get a high school built in a safe spot. It's drama.

[fence]

Aside from a "fair and balanced" journalism lesson, this situation would make a good government "teachable moment."
I think the whole thing is an amazing local lesson in civil disobedience.

The lawsuit may have unpleasant implications for us personally, but it is forensically interesting to see people still able and willing to stand up to government and prevent them from being "agents of injustice."

I have been talking to my son about this whole situation, not in the context of HS sites, or people, or the sad and gory details, but in the context of what can happen when a government makes a decision that the people it serves don't agree with - that there is still a way to object and protest. He had just been to DC with class and studying alot of historic civil stuff not to mention this election going on - it's neat to see him connect the dots.

brad204 said:

I thought this was an interesting posting on the potluck.
blogs.suburbanchicagonews.com/newsblog/2008/03/its_official_d204_parents_sue.html#comments

In light of the formal lawsuit, I am reposting my late response on the previous blog in response to Warrior Teacher (March 8, 3:15):

We share the same vocation and I think you have a great "teachable moment" here. I hope you take advantage of it to share some valuable lessons:
1.People will not always agree - our democratic society allows for this, along with paths to peaceful resolution
2.Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are precious rights -we should appreciate them
3.Stereotypes are hurtful and wrong - we should all do our best to stop perpetuating them
4.Sources of information are not always reliable - they should be examined and critiqued for validity

Have your students compare and contrast two websites: www.nsfoc.org and www.nsfocfraud.com. Which one acknowledges that people have differing opinions on this matter? Which one says that all people in the district should be treated with respect, including the district administration? Which one resorts to stereotyping and using pejorative adjectives like "greedy", "arrogant", and "elitist" to describe people that live in certain demographic areas or subdivisions? They might be surprised at the results. I'm sure you are an excellent teacher and can think of more, or better, aspects of the websites to explore.

In case you haven't examined previous blogs in detail, here are just a few quick examples of the personal attacks and stereotyped comments my neighbors and I have withstood, along with comments about our children:

** I can't believe how many "soccer moms" who live in TG and WE are sitting at their computers complaining all day long.....how do your husbands stay married to women such as yourselves.
GET A JOB OR HOBBY (other than sitting on the computer and complaning all day long)
** Just a bunch of spoiled whiners! Get over it. If you don't like it move out of the district.
** White Eagle needs to get over themselves! Their children aren't any more special! The whole fight is over not wanting to send their kids to WV! I am so sorry! In my opinion, White Eagle residents have been living in denial all along.
** I have a question. How many Black or Hispanic parents were at the White Eagle clubhouse meeting last night? Thought so.
Followed by...
I love this post, because it brings to light the fact the room at the White Eagle Clubhouse was full of egotistical "I-deserve-it", types that will do everything they can to stop Metea.
OK, I'll type it. It's not the distance, the splitting, etc. They are EMBARRASSED to have to say they are going to Waubaonsie. (which my kids go to and is a great school)
** I wholeheatedly agree that WE and TG need to get over it. Their kids will survive going to WV, after all it is the same district and the same curiculum. Additionally all of their Abercrombie wearing friends will be headed to WV with them; welcome to the world beyond your elitist neighborhoods.
** The sense of entitlement and all the me, me, I's. It is no wonder TG & WE have a poor reputation and you're children have become selfish, spoiled, rotten little monsters. Now I know where they get it from. It's contagious... I hope you all get well soon!

I could go on, but I think you get the point. This cuts both ways. Oddly enough, if you read the blogs I don't think you'll find one criticism of WV, its students, its teachers, or the curriculum from people who live in Tall Grass or White Eagle (or anyone else who disagrees with the actions of the SB). It's pretty clear to me that it's pure conjecture and stereotyping of people in s/sw Naperville that has the WV students feeling bad. But, I would suggest to you that much of what they are repeating in the classroom is coming from their own homes. I assure you as a fellow teacher it is certainly not coming from mine.

I wish you luck in helping the WV students weather the storm.