Kids make mistakes, says Parkway West mother
Liz Slutzky, the mother of a student at Parkway West Middle School, sent this e-mail out to other parents this week.
She was responding to Edward Weinhaus’s letter asking the Parkway Board for an independent investigation into “Hit A Jew Day.”
Ms. Slutzky is far from the only parent who has said such things. But her note is brief, and eloquent.
Here it is. I edited out her son’s name, at her request:
My son was one of the Jewish kids who was “hit” by another student. I have absolutely no interest in signing this petition, however, as I think it is focused on trying to find someone to blame for this unfortunate event rather than trying to create meaningful dialogue from which we can all learn.
I have no interest in seeing anyone suspended, disciplined or “held responsible”.
The truth is kids make mistakes - all of our kids. Yes, they are 12 and we hope they all demonstrate respectful behavior at all times, but we all know that is not always the case. Our kids are experiencing incredible changes and challenges. They are in a new school with new kids and a completely new hierarchical structure. They are dealing with new teachers, new expectations, new rules, peer pressure and hormones.
One of the kids who “hit” my son was one of his good friends. Yes, he was hurt and surprised, but his friend realized her mistake and was genuinely saddened by her own behavior. He forgave her.
In my opinion, the response to this event has been inappropriate and largely guided by people who were not even directly involved in it. Rather than petitioning for a “full investigation” and identifying who is to be held responsible, I’d much rather us focus our time and resources on teaching our children through constructive dialogue and meaningful experiences how we are all different and why differences make us stronger individually and as a community.
That is the purpose of our educational system and what our tax money supports.
The Grade is the St. Louis region’s premier blog on education and child welfare. To read other recent posts, go to www.stltoday.com/thegrade.
Why are parents so quick to turn an unmitigated disaster, known the world over, into a “Teaching Moment”.Are our schools “so great” that we never take time for a “learning moment.” As a parent of a student who went to PWM, I know there have always been problems - racial ones - that started in fun. its literally like we just refuse to take a look under the hood.
This person thinks he knows something? Its pretty clear from his website today, that he is going to keep going. Enough already.
I am a little scared that he does know something. I read on his website that the Superintendent now has most of the information. But what is it? And why would he risk being so hated so much for information the district now has?
As the parent of an 8th grader and a younger child who will be coming here, I am torn. For my older child, the attention is quite a learning experience. But, a distraction.
For my younger one, I think, for my own sake, a healthy airing of issues would be positive.
The good news is that now, on Halloween, the distraction is over. These kids are out having fun already, So, let’s let the investigation begin - at our school, we are tough and can take it.