Winter 2011 - Augsburg College

What the Gap Looks Like
16 | Shine On! | Winter 2011
“ I think the school should put less
kids in each class so kids can get
more one­on­one time the teacher to
reach each of their individual needs.”
Doesn’t Scare
Me Anymore
On the first day of school
I didn’t know what to expect
Crowded halls
New faces
But it doesn’t scare me anymore
Harder classes
Same long day
Tell me will I want to stay?
But it doesn’t scare me anymore
Are the older kids mean?
What if I just want to leave?
But it doesn’t scare me anymore
I walked into school
Saw people that I knew
When the day ended
I could say I wasn’t frightened
It doesn’t scare me anymore.
—Pahwahnna Khem, Grade 7, Marcy Open
—Ella Laurent, Grade 6
Field Community School
Teacher: Sandy Berry
If our education system continues to fail some kids,
we are going to fall apart globally… this is a global issue!
Success Struggles
Because of who I am, and what I see, there
are plenty of reasons why I cannot succeed.
Whether it’s the money problems,
the drinking problems, or drugs,
It keeps me from success.
How are you supposed to do your best
when you have nobody to run to?
Because the only thing you know is what
people show you and just because they
showed you doesn’t mean it’s good. Cause
anybody would show you anything if it’s
good for ‘their ’hood’.
People have struggles, people have
battles, if people would take time to
figure them out, Maybe one day the
failing students’ math tests would count!
—Shavala Parker
AVID Edison High School
“ I can help my peers if they are
struggling. I could get together with
my friends that are struggling with
work and we could study together.”
—Paige T.,Whittier International Elementary