RCSD

On January 27, 2010 I had to present a five minute speech in my Public Speaking class. We were able to choose any topic to present before the class. I chose to do my presentation on the Rochester City School District. Below you will find my speech in its entirety.

Well, my presentation today will focus on RCSD: This stands for The Rochester City School District. As a former Rochester City School District student I would like to talk about a few issues that are discussed so often in the local media. I would like to give my take on these issues as I feel that not only should parents of students need to address these issues but citizens with no children (such as myself) need to address them too. I say this as a non-parent because those children are still the future generations of our community. If everyone does not get involved, parent or not, then the issues plaguing the community and the school district will not be fixable.
As a former student of the RCSD my journey began as a student at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School #9. I attended the school from Kindergarten through sixth grade. Back then, schools were grade appropriate. When I say grade appropriate, I mean that elementary schools were solely for elementary students; from Kindergarten through Sixth; Junior High or Middle School as it was called when I attended; was for 7th and 8th grade; and High School was 9th through 12th. The way that the city schools are integrated now, causes for too much interaction between small children and teens. In my opinion this is too chaotic. How can children learn effectively and efficiently when there is overcrowding in the schools?
Next, let me speak about the teachers. In my experience teachers were supportive and cared for their students. I can re-call those times when sometimes I would slip a bit on my grades. But I remember teachers, and in my case, one specific teacher, Mrs. J. She always made sure to inform not only my parents, but me as well, that I wasn’t doing my best. She would say, you can do better, or she needs to put forth more effort. Teachers would provide help and assistance where and when needed. Today it seems as if teachers do not express caring and supportive statements to students, or want to provide additional help. It seems that they have lost touch with what their purpose was for becoming a teacher. In my opinion, why become a teacher if it is not to help a child become a better student and to become a better individual? Lets face it; teachers don’t make that much money. I would think people would know this before pursuing this profession. So if you’re a teacher and you are not in the profession to help improve and educate a child’s life, then why become one? I believe teachers prior to even studying in college should do internships and volunteering in public schools to see if this is really where they would like to be five or so years from now. Then after internships and volunteering have been completed, a test should be conducted through college prep courses to evaluate their experience. Once college is completed more tests should be done to determine where these teachers should be placed and even if they should be teachers at all.
Perhaps the most important elements plaguing the negative overtones about RCSD, are the students. In this portion, I will combine the student and parents. Students need to understand and respect why they come to school; and that is to learn and develop their future. In order for students to have this respect and understanding, parents play the most important role in their development. Teaching first begins at home with the parents. If the parents are not teaching and enforcing rules in their household with their children, how do they expect them to go outside of the home to become productive students? Everything first starts at home. So parents please play your part and regulate before sending your child out to be regulated.
And students, you are not off the hook by any means. As a student you have a responsibility to be a student. That is to learn, and to be respectable to your peers and teachers. The student needs to understand that they will not become successful without education. So why go to school to act up and take learning for granted? Education is your key to success and it is ultimately up to you, the student, to see your education through.
Please remember that these thoughts are solely my opinion and not the opinions of parents, teachers, students, or school board members.