Forward Janesville - TheReport - Third Quarter 2019

August is just around the corner as I write this column and watercooler conversations naturally flip to the reality that a new school year will start soon. I had the pleasure of visiting with a friend about her son’s preparations for the new school year. I asked her to reflect on her son’s academic career in the Janesville School District and how his experience prepared him for the next phase of his life. Her name is Beth Blum and her son’s name is Malcolm. Beth is a single mother and Malcolm is her only child. She started her story by focusing on the teachers Malcolm had throughout his career. She mentioned a 3rd grade teacher who had stimulated Malcolm’s interest in reading and writing. Another instructor at Roosevelt Elementary taught Malcolm how to structure his time and stay focused on goals. Beth told me that throughout Malcolm’s educational experience in the Janesville School District, caring and committed teachers made a real difference in his ability to succeed. He had the opportunity to take very challenging Advanced Placement (AP) classes at Craig High School that prepared him for the next part of his journey at the University of Southern California (USC) where he plans to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering. Beth believes an important part of Malcolm’s educational experience took place away from the classroom. Consider the following school activities: a trip to a Civil War reenactment in Rockford; a visit to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison; participation in a robotics camp with the Craig Robotics Team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, including a chance to work on a project involving the International Space Station; and, participation in the Washington Seminar Program where students spend a few days in Washington and learn first-hand about our nation’s government. While that is an impressive list, Beth is quick to note that Malcolm’s involvement in the schools’ music program had a very beneficial impact on him. Activities included a trip to the Kalahari Resort in the Dells to play in a music competition, a Florida band trip which included a Disney recording studio experience, a trip to see the award-winning play Hamilton, and several trips to Badger games and Bucks games where the Craig High School Band played for spectators. At this point you might be wondering why I chose to write about Malcolm’s experience. The answer has several layers. 1. It needs to be said again and again that the excellent quality of instructors in our school system should be celebrated more. 2. Students in our community who choose to take advantage of the opportunities our school system offers have a remarkable chance for a great experience that will prepare them for the next step whether that is a job, technical college, or a university education. 3. Music programs, debate programs, and extracurriculars, like the computer science and political science programs Malcolm participated in, can really make a difference in a child’s academic experience. They require and deserve ongoing community support. The final takeaway from this story is that success in the classroom and in life is there for the taking if the student is encouraged and nurtured in the classroom and at home. Beth told me that Malcolm learned early on that studying away from the temptations of video games and social media was an important breakthrough for him. Congratulations Beth. I know you are enormously proud of your son and you have made many sacrifices for his benefit. Good luck, Malcolm, in the next chapter of your life at USC. Make your mother – and all of the teachers who helped you along the way – proud. John Beckord • President, Forward Janesville • johnb@forwardjanesville.com 4 • W W W . F O R W A R D J A N E S V I L L E . C O M RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU LOVE OUR SCHOOLS