Dear Parents and Students,
As chairperson of the newly formed blog committee, I have been mulling over ways to make the STEP Blog more interesting and relevant to both the parents and the students. There are many problems that must be addressed before the blog reaches its potential of being a robust forum for the discussion of issues relevant to the STEP community. While help certainly must be given to the parents to assist them in better navigating the STEP Blog, as well as the internet, that alone will not guaranty that the blog becomes an interesting place to visit. What follows are my ideas on how the blog should be structured. Nothing I say is carved in stone, and I beg the STEP parents and students to tell me what you want to read when you visit the STEP Blog. After all, the blog belongs to you and your wishes and desires should be paramount. To get the ball rolling, here are my suggestions on how to restructure the STEP Blog.
STEP NEWS
Content in Step News will be similar to what the blog has always contained. In essence, it will provide coverage of events relevant to the STEP program, contain an updated calendar of the STEP year, and provide information about the Capstone project, college admissions, intern opportunities, educational opportunities, etc. Ideally, parents and students will assume the role of “reporters” and will be assigned to cover and then report on STEP events.
PARENT TO PARENT
All parents encounter problems in raising their children. Typical of such problems may be a child who is an underachiever, a child of great ability who does not seem to care about maximizing his/her potential, problems caused by outside influences such as certain types of music, television, peer pressure, and the frustration caused by children who don’t seem to be willing to listen to what his/her parents have to say. For some parents, these may appear to be insoluble problems. Other parents may have figured out how to solve some of those problems. The purpose of Parent to Parent is to first pose a certain problem and then to solicit responses from parents, and possibly students, on how they think to best deal with those problems.
THE RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD
Hardly a day passes that we do not hear about issues such as climate change, globalization, free trade, the declining value of the US dollar, outsourcing of jobs, and immigration reform. All of those are issues that may have both a positive and a negative impact on the future of our children. The more both parents and students know about such issues, the better they will be able to navigate both the problems and opportunities caused by a world that is changing so rapidly that it is sometimes hard to keep track of what is going on. I believe that educated parents and students that are knowledgeable about our changing world will have the greatest opportunity to lead happy and productive lives. The purpose of The Rapidly Changing World will be to engage in a discussion of the global issues that will affect the lives of both parents and students for many years to come.
WHO AM I?
The purpose of Who Am I will be to feature STEP parents and students. Each parent will be asked to provide a short biography about themselves. The students will be encouraged to do the same. Where do we work? What do we do? What is our level of education? What are our aspirations? What do we hope can be accomplished through the STEP Program? Who Am I will be a way to help us to better know our fellow parents and students, which will make it possible for the STEP Program to capitalize on the unique talents possessed by many of the STEP parents and students.
In conclusion, it should be obvious from what I have said that the STEP Blog cannot succeed without the active participation of both the parents and the students. Sure, it will require some work, but it will also be a lot of fun.
Ken Schwarz
P.S. Please Read and then go back to the first page and the Schwarz Post entitled “Renewal-Fall 07…” to post your comments and suggestions. (Hint: In the column to your right see it under Recent Posts)
7 responses so far ↓
1
Miriam Lovett
// Nov 18, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I first want to say, WELCOME BACK KEN!!!!!
In response to your questions, I would like to see the STEP blog contain STEP news, and also news from our rapidly changing world.
I like to hear about the progress our STEP students have made and are making. I also love the pictures!!! I would like to know what our STEP graduates are doing and how they’ve progressed after graduation.
With our new president, Barack Obama, about to formally take office, I would love to hear views and opinions about this historic event. I would love to hear about views and opinions on how he will lead and govern our nation. Do we bail out the three auto companies??? I say NO! Let them file Chapter 11, restructure their organization, especially their unions, and then we can talk. Do we vote yes or no on gay marriage???? I say NO! Marriage was a term instituted by God as a union between a man and a woman – that’s it! The government should not be involved, nor should they have the right to redefine the meaning as God has defined it!
These are just a few of MY views and opinions on events affecting our nation currently. I look forward to reading from others in STEP. Since this historic presidential election, I’ve gotten so used to reading blogs from other web-sites (especially CNN) and I’m looking forward to reading from our own. Please post your responses.
2
Ken Schwarz
// Nov 19, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Miriam,
It was great reading your message. It is wonderful that you are reading many blogs. There is so much information floating around the blogosphere that it will be impossible for you not to become a formidible person. We should teach our children by example and you are proving yourself to be a great example.
I’d like to respond to the substance of one of your points — that of a possible bailout of the auto manufacturers. For me, it is a really tough question. I have no doubt but that the leadership of companies like GM has become fat, lazy and overpaid. In my view, they deserve to fail. Nevertheless, here is the really big “but.” Some estimate that there are 3 million jobs at stake. Given everything else that is happening in the economy, I don’t think we can afford to lose another 3 million jobs. We have to work to find a solution. Maybe a bailout is not an answer. Maybe a pre-packaged bankruptcy reorganization is the answer with the United States providing the financing for the re-structured company. What I do know is that the health care and pensions of a vast number of people, not to mention their jobs, are involved.
I think we need to try to look at things from GM’s point of view. I hear that GM sells more cars in China than any other auto manufacturer. I also hear that GM is very competitive in Europe. So what is happening in the United States? GM says it is because of the credit crunch. Just like it is almost impossible for many people to borrow money to buy homes, it is also very difficult to borrow money to buy a $30,000 car, which is more expensive than a lot of homes cost 30 years ago.
Here’s what bothers me the most. Do you remember that Don McLean song named “American Pie?” In this time of crisis I can’t get these words out of my mind: “Drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry.” I don’t want to live in a country where there are no more Chevies. It is part of who we are as a people. It’s like the Fourth of July or apple pie. It is a symbol of American culture and we should do everything we can to save the brand.
Ken Schwarz
3
Miriam Lovett
// Nov 20, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Hey Ken. Did you see the news regarding the 3 American car companies. They flew into Washington in their private jets begging for millions of our tax dollars to bail their companies out!!! What’s that about??! They’re in this predicament because of mismanagement of funds and their own personal greed (Christmas bonuses in the millions of dollars, private jets to travel round-trip to Washington for 20K) and they want us to bail them out!! I think if they want the governments help, it should be on the condition that the money is used to make smaller, more efficient cars, that don’t run on gas so we can finally became oil independent. They’d be something like the hybrid cars, running on solar power or electricity. I’d rather they’d start building smaler cars rather than the larger SUV’s anyway! I saw on Larry King last night that one of these big American car companies have a plant outside of Russia that’s used for building SUV’s – even though the demand for them has decreased. How’s THAT for good management! Don’t get me wrong, I do feel America should have it’s own car company (by the way, I’ve always loved that song American Pie – “Did you write the book of love and do you have faith in God above, if the bible tells you so? Now do you believe in rock and roll, can music save your mortal soul? And can you teach me how to dance real slow?” GREAT LYRICS!!! They don’t write songs like that anymore!!). Buy anyway, perhaps all three companies can merge into one – how about that???
By the way, how do you like Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State? So far I like all of his picks (Can you believe I grew up with Eric Holder and his family. His mother still lives on the block and hangs with my mother!). But I’m still not convinced Hillary is a wise choice. Oh well……
4
Miriam Lovett
// Nov 20, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Boy was I rambling in that last message – PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!
5
Martha Vaughan
// Nov 20, 2008 at 9:46 pm
WELCOME BACK ALL!
I just start reading the blog again and found both Ken and Miriam article very interesting.
I’m in the middle of crunch time setting mid-term and marking papers, and I would love to respond to both your comments. If I start, (knowing me) I will go on and on so let me take this time to say I will be back.
Keep the blog going!
Had to get this in! I like the fact that parent conference is being featured on the blog. I will see you there on Saturday to give my support.
With reference to our newly elected president, this is another topic by itself, so I will cut it short and sweet. I like some of the choices President Obama has made in selecting his administration. I think Mrs. Clinton is a great choice for the job and think she will do well based on her experiences. Then again, we can only hope some are not in it for their own selfish motives!
6
Ken Schwarz
// Nov 21, 2008 at 7:36 am
Miriam,
Ramble on.
The auto industry built SUVs because consumers wanted to buy SUVs. Things then changed very quickly when the price of oil went through the roof. Now, no one wants to buy SUVs. I think it took less than a year for that to happen. How quickly can the auto industry be expected to adjust?
In all honesty, the auto industry, through its advertising, contributed to the desire of consumers to buy SUVs. The federal government must share much of the blame. Bush and Cheney are oil men who promoted gas guzzlers by refusing to increase milage standards. When California tried to impose restrictions on emissions for vehicles sold in California, the federal government slapped down California. If I were in the auto industry I would be more than happy to continue making highly profitable SUVs, particularly when it appeared that the federal government was backing me up.
Most businesses need to borrow money to tide them over during the lean times. The problem today is that the banks are not there to lend the money. Auto manufactures must look to the federal government to borrow the money they need. This morning I read that France has established, or is establishing, a $25 billion fund to aid its troubled companies. Throughout the world, governments are recognizing that they must become lenders of last resort because banks can’t help.
I don’t know if it is true, but the auto companies claim that they already have made the needed adjustments. In a year to two, they will begin selling smaller, highly energy efficient vehicles. Even before the present crises became manifested, Chevrolet announced that is was about to put the Chevy Volt into production. Supposedly, the Volt will get up to 100 miles per gallon. Granted, it would not be practicle to drive the Volt to California, but for local driving it is very efficient. In addition, the auto makers are working on new battery technologies, which will hit the market in a couple of years.
Auto companies describe that they want as being a ” bridge loan.” They need the money to tide them over until the next generation of cars can be put into production. While at $25 billion loan is fraught with risk, it would probably be much worse to risk the demise of the American auto industry.
On your other points about the Obama cabinent, read what the conservative David Brooks has to say about Obama’s cabinent selections. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/opinion/21brooks.html?ref=opinion
7
Ken Schwarz
// Dec 4, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Most of us agree that cars of the future must be powered by something other than fossil fuels. In order to be receptive to our needs, Detroit must begin producing cars that run on alternate fuels. But there is a big problem that is not the fault of Detroit. Once I drive my new electric car or my car powered by compressed natural gas out of the showroom, how do I refuel the vehicle? If electric, I can recharge the batteries at home. If powered by compressed natural gas I can tap into my natural gas line at home, if I have such a gas line at home. But what do I do on the open road? I can’t wait hours to recharge batteries and there are few places to get a compressed natural gas fillup.
In order for Detroit to built the cars of the future we need a distribution system for alternate fuels when traveling long distances. But why would anyone invest in such a system if the cars demanding alternate fuels do not yet exist? How can we blame Detroit for not producing cars powered by alternate fuels if the system for refueling those cars does not yet exist? That is why we should expect to see hybrid vehicles that run partly on fossil fuels continue well into the future. We know we can do better than that. But how can we do so without insuring that a refueling distribution system will also exist?
Does anyone have any ideas?
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