We set the tone.

It's taken me a few weeks to put into words my thoughts on this subject.
Before I get wordy and loose focus (which is why it's taken me so long to get this done), I just want to say this. It's simple - being positive is good for the whole. The Village and the school board can take the heat but it's not good for US. Negativity is not good for the whole.
Recently a few things have happened that certainly got my blood boiling (now you're thinking, "NOW, she's getting to the point"). Both our village and our school system has taken a beating for A. things that are beyond their control and B. the decisions they make. Mostly, it makes me totally insane when people say things in the public forum (newspapers, Facebook) that are at best inappropriate but in the least inaccurate. One time I read "where does the mayor and village manager live b/c they obviously don't care about MP?". What? Really? Do people really think these things? Is that a responsible thing to say? Here's the answer - they both live here and they care very much. But the more and more we stir that pot, the worse it gets. It's not good for the whole. Why can't we say "the board of trustees love our town and had to make very difficult decisions that I am not willing to make since I didn't run for Board Trustee".
We have been blessed beyond with a fabulous school district. Our kids get opportunities I know most of us never got. We have loving teachers who try their best. We have school spirit and science fairs and orchestra and drama club. We have band and chorus and art club and computer classes. Our kids are blessed.
We also have a school board of 7 members who do their best. I want to ask the critics "Did you know they spend countless hours every month researching and analyzing data and discussing every decision they make? Did you know our district is NOT mandated to provide bussing? Our district could just say "no more bussing" b/c they are not mandated by the state to provide that service but they do. Did you know that last year the school district had to return about $500,000 back to Cook County for the people who fought their property taxes, won and were given back money? Did you know our administration team is the 5th lowest paid Admin. team in the 6 school districts that surround us? Did you know most schools the size of LP and FV also have vice principals but that cut was made long ago? Did you know that it's not really a blast trying to figure out how to accomplish these budget cuts.?" Why can't we just say "our school board is trying their best. They are making decisions I am not willing to make since I didn't run for school board."
Lastly, a mom I know whose oldest will be going to Kindergarten said to me "I have heard so many bad things about Westbrook. Should I send my son somewhere else? Is it really that bad of a school". This broke my heart. I think we all get so worked up we forget that our words have consequences. We set the tone for what people perceive. The issues at Westbrook have to do w/ adults. The KIDS at Westbrook get a fabulous education by teachers who work their asses off to make sure it's a loving environment. I mean, no matter how mad you are at the school board, do you honestly want people to believe Westbrook is a "bad" school? Is that good for the whole? It is even good for you?
After that mom asked me that question about Westbrook, I just thought "this isn't good for us. All of this negative banter and chit chat isn't good for the whole. I don't want parents who know NOTHING about the school district to have her first impression be that it's "not good". WHAT? We have to watch how and what we say, whether it's in this blog or on FB or in the Daily Herald. I am not suggesting we never question authority but let's just do it in a way that is productive - go to the source, go to meetings, ask questions, try to help, run for office, vote for who you believe in.
Let's serve us all well - this is Mt. Prospect dammit - where "friendliness is a way of life". We set the tone....it's up to us.