CABPRO Report

A Speech Every American High School Principal Should Give

If every school principal gave this speech at the beginning of the next school year, America would be a better place.

To the students and faculty of our high school: 
 
I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling than to teach young people.

I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the ideas that have dominated public education in America have worked against you, against your teachers, against your parents, and against our country. Therefore:

First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow, or white. I could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian, or European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave ships. The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize, is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is American . This is an American public school, and American public schools were created to make better Americans. If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial, or religious identity through your school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race- and non-American-nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of America , one of its three central values -- E Pluribus Unum -- "from many, one." And this school will be guided by America 's values. That includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual orientation, or whatever else may become in vogue in a society divided by political correctness. Your clubs will be based on interests and passions -- not blood, ethnic, racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So, we will have clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy, languages you do not already speak, math, carpentry, and more. If the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being interested in are those based on ethnic or racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of yourself really interests you.

Second, I am not interested in whether or not English is your native language. My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has united America 's citizens for more than 200 years, and it will unite us at this school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without excellent English-language skills, I will have been remiss in my duty to ensure that you are prepared to compete successfully in the American job market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most Americans only speak English . But if you want classes taught in your native language rather than in English, this is not your school.

Inflation is Sneaking up Faster

By CABPRO Staff

Noticed any changes at the pump and store lately? What do you buy most often? For many of us it could be gas for transportation, and food items for pantry, freezer and fridge. Gas prices have crept up again and anyone who has bought groceries during the last six months has seen an alarming rise in fresh and packaged food prices as well as in non-food grocery items.  It’s easier to see when the bunch of spinach, which cost $1.69 a year ago, now costs $2.99, or your usual bread has suddenly shot up by 75 cents a loaf. But when that traditionally 5 lb. bag of sugar or flour is now a 4 lb. bag and the price is about the same as before, it may take folks bit longer to notice the hefty price increases.  Food producers figure on brand loyalty lasting longer if they shrink package size or simply put less product in the old package. (see interesting article on this ‘downsizing’ in Feb. 2011 issue of Consumer Reports

It’s happening worldwide. Raw materials and commodities are costing more and these costs eventually tickle down to us. Obviously, companies must raise prices in order to preserve their bottom lines, pay their employees, buy raw materials,  keep quality at high levels and pay huge corporate TAXES and regulatory fees. And it doesn’t help when the alternative fuel folks make corn producers sell a huge percentage of their crop to make a little ethanol to replace gasoline,  instead of using it for food for livestock or we the people.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) each month produces statistics on the overall price fluctuations for the US, broken down in different ways. The CPI for Dec. 2010 and Jan. 2011 reflects increases larger than expected for energy and food.

A myriad of events and economic forces contribute to rising consumer prices (just google ‘inflation’). The ordinary consumer must be a vigilant observer of their own local living and purchasing habits and be creative when deciding when and how best to invest and stretch each dollar – and we don’t mean trading in your safe SUV for an electric tin can vehicle to save on gas!!

Be Informed – Plan Ahead – Stock Up!

U.S. media blackout?

Remember just 3 short years ago when everyone was going to love us?

Is there a U.S. media blackout happening now?

Check this out which is not being reported here.

 

Off The Top of My Head - Hands on Science Is Key to Future Prosperity

by Russ Steele

What we have to learn to do, we learn by doing - Aristotle

Last month the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress science test results were announced, and California students were at the bottom of the pile with 43 other states scoring higher than California. How can California lead our national economic recovery with such dismal science scores?

According to both the United States National Research Council and the National Science Foundation the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math fields are the core technical fields, which are the foundation of an advanced society. The strength of a work force knowledgeable in science, technology, engineering and math are indicators of a nation's ability to sustain itself. They are also indicators of California’s ability to lead the nation’s economic recovery. However, we cannot have a robust growing high tech business sector without knowledgeable scientists and engineers.

One concern is that elementary and middle schools are not preparing students for careers in science and technology, because science is barely taught at the elementary school level. According to some observers the California Academic Performance Index algorithm overemphasizes Math and English. Science is simply not measured. If it is not measured in the Performance Index, it is not going to get much attention in the classroom. By the time these science-deficient students reach middle and high school, they are so far behind in the prerequisite skills and knowledge needed to be successful in rigorous high school science and math courses, and eventually, university science, technology, engineering and math requirements as well.

After I retired from the Air Force I went to work for TRW, an aerospace and automotive parts company. TRW manufactured every thing from satellites to airbag activation systems, to the remote control door openers. All of these projects required engineering skills from design to manufacturing. Recognizing the need for more engineers was growing; TRW joined industry councils and investigated the problem. They discovered that many grade and middle schools have abandoned hands on science in the classroom, focusing more on science appreciation than doing science.