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These areas are among the most painful to me because as a high school
teacher I see how many students do not connect to t'filla, and also their
cruelty to others. My suggestion towards improving the situation echoes
some of the past submissions-e.g. make these issues a real part of the
curriculum -with mekorot and active study; make the school a "makom
kadosh" with each individual a "dugma ishit" -not only in t'filla, but
also in behavior towards the student, each other, administrators,
janitors, secretaries, etc. The school culture must resonate with "kavod
hadadit" and this must be instumentalized by involving more individuals in
decision making -or at least getting their input - and true acts of
kindness modeled by the adults within the student's environment. The final
element which has not been mentioned yet is the family and community. If
you visit the beit knesset on some of our students on Shabbat, their
behavior in the school minyan is less of a mystery -they are simply
talking like their parents do during t'filla.
In terms of derech eretz, more parents are reluctant to impose demands of
kibud horim and one is shocked by the type of talk to parents which is
accepted. Schools must work with the rabbanim of the kehilla as well as
the parents in having a community wide movement to help reinforce the
values we try to teach. The environment of our students (the media-TV
shows, movies, music) have canonized selfishness, disrespect , bad
language etc.. They are bombarded with negative messages. By working via a
"chut meshulash"-School culture, curriculum and community - we have a
chance. It is important to recognize that our students are being exposed
to major negative influences and if we do not get our act together as
mechanchim, to teach them an alternative in a convincing and cogent
matter, it will be our sin.</HTML>
