SCHOOLS: Don't slam, clank kids

Isn’t it silly to suppose that the classroom a student sits in would have any effect on their education? Suppose you were in a meeting at a very important client’s office. During that meeting someone opened and closed the door to the conference room, “slam,” walked around the table and then walked out, “slam.”

Furthermore, suppose this happened 10 times during your hour-long meeting; however, it wasn’t the same person entering and walking around the table but each member of your client’s office. “Slam.”

Now imagine frost forming on the radiator on the exterior wall in the conference room so logically you turn the heat up and instantly there is a clanking noise. Clank, Clank, Clank. Pretty soon it gets so hot that you are forced to open a window for some sort of ventilation. “Clank.” You try to turn the heat down, but you can’t because the handle is so hot you burn yourself. “Slam.” What would be going through your mind? “Clank.”

Would this be at all distracting? “Slam, Clank.” Would you be able to give your best? “Clank, Slam.”

Our students do. Bryan Elementary had more than 90 percent of its students score Proficient or Advanced on their ISATs. “Slam.”

Our teachers do. “Clank.” Bryan Elementary has been the most requested school the past five years. We know it’s not the building that draws them there. “Clank, Slam!” Voting no for the school bond is voting to keep unnecessary distractions in the classroom.

Slam, Clank!

TONY NORRIS

Coeur d’Alene