Jim Sack

Let me begin with a story. When I was teaching middle schoolers in a special education class, some had specific interests in programs outside of school. One was interested in horses, both in riding and in taking care of them while another wanted to become a mechanic. There were appropriate programs offered in the regional BOCES that provided wonderful opportunities. However, I remember a student complaining that other kids referred to him as a "BOCE". In the current political climate,...

Let me begin with a story. I remember a student who once told me, as we got closer to the Christmas vacation, that he wasn't looking forward to the break. His family wasn't going to have that perfect Christmas morning with a big tree and lots of presents. Over the years, other students voiced similar feelings, sometimes having to do with split families, financial problems, etc. The bottom line is that teachers should never assume that all of their students will have that magical holiday...

At last count, we've received 29 calendars or planners in the last several months, almost all from charities that we support. Now, don't get me wrong. These are charities that target causes we believe in and we do check out any charity we're interested in to ensure, first, that they're legitimate and, second, that the money we donate goes to the cause and not in an administrator's pocket. However, enough's enough. We used to enjoy our daily mail delivery. There were the occasional letters or...