Can Change Happen?

The Star Tribune recently published a story entitled, "To fix schools, fix neighborhoods. The schools involved in the article were elementary schools in the St. Paul neighborhood. The city is proposing that they make changes to the neighborhood by making them more friendly and conducive to younger children. The article also suggests that change needs to occur both at home and at school if any major change is to happen.

Letter:

As I read this article, my first question was what is the time frame on changing the neighborhoods, how long will it take to turn a poverty stricken neighborhood around and make it a vibrant and supportive community for the children in elementary school?

I think it is a great proposal to make the environment friendlier because research has shown that the environment plays a major role in the behavior and success of children. How will change affect the children in the transition period though? These kids have grown up in a particular lifestyle, and until now nothing has changed.

Being an human, I get stuck into habits and find it difficult to change my daily routines. My assumption is that the same is also difficult for a child in elementary school. The question that now arises is: what can be done to make the change easier for the children in this transition period?

My proposal in order to get these children more willing to change is to have some kind of an activity night at the elementary schools several times throughout the year. At this event, children would be able to have fun at school with their peers in a safe and friendly environment. If children are having fun at school, they will likely have a positive attitude toward school, and, as a result, achievement will improve!