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Date:         Tue, 22 Dec 1992 09:26:11 -0500
From:         URSIC@ASTRO.CS.HH.AB.COM
Subject:      That unnamed subject

Brent Winiger <ABDWINIG@IDBSU.IDBSU.EDU> writes:
>On Mon, 21 Dec 1992 14:14:40 -0800 John Weitzel said:
>>My main concern, at this point, deals with the quality of Catholic
>>Secondary Education.  There are many studies which show that academically
>>the Catholic Educational system is far superior to that of the American
>>Public Educational Systems.

>Superior academically, morally, spiritually, frugally, etc.ally,....

While I realize that many of you will let no opportunity pass to take a
cheap shot at public education, do you _really_ think that every "Catholic"
school is superior to every "public" school? We've had this discussion
before and I was under the impression that most of us thought that
parental motivation and involvement were the key ingredients to determining
the success of any particular student in any particular school system.

>      I see exactly the same thing in this area John, and it is really a pity.
>I do see a few positive signs, however.  We recently did a survey of the
>parents who send their kids to our Parish's Catholic Grade School.  They were
>overwhelmingly happy with the quality of general education at the school.
>They were not happy with the depth of religious education, however.  As a
>result, more religion is being worked into the curriculum.

I hope this doesn't shock you, Brent, but this is the same complaint heard
from the parents of CC children in our parish which doesn't have a Parish
school:-) We are happy with the general education our children receive
in our local public schools, but unhappy with the depth of religious
education received at CC on Sundays.

>     I see the solution to this problem as being similar to most problems in
>education, both public and private.  Parents need to get involved, both in and
>out of the classroom.  Additionally, the parents need to work at improving
>their own spiritual lives to set an example for their children.  The families
>need to put God first in their lives, and learn Catholic Doctrine and history.
>The parents need to be sure their kids can defend and be secure in their faith
>as they become more and more independent, and it sure helps if the school can
>aid the parents in this goal.  Unfortunately, I doubt that many of the parents
>really understand their Faith themselves.  The kids are the object of a real
>battle for their convictions (not to mention their souls) out there.  It is
>imperative that the parents win that battle.  For that reason I believe adult
>religious education is as important as religious education for the children.

In fact, our parish has adult CC at the same time as the children.
(but don't use me as an example of a model student:-)

>Merry Christmas (Happy Winter Holiday if you live in some school districts!)

Last weeks' concert at my son's 'public' high school was indeed titled
"A Holiday Concert", yet every song sang or played was a "Christmas" song,
including the first noel, silent night, and hark the herald angels sing.
The "holiday" concert performed by my elementary school daughter several
weeks ago, did include one Hanukkah song. (Both had some of the generic
"frosty" type songs:-)
But let me reassure, Brent, there are no police arresting children, parents
or teachers for wishing each other a Merry Christmas:-) -J.J.
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