Why is it the most important things often get the least attention?  Some people can talk for hours about their favorite topics yet they can't name their kid's teachers or principal (don't worry, I know Dr. Saunders is my kid's principal). Kim Kardashian's engagement, wedding (yes it was only 72 days) and divorce get more attention than the state of education in America.  Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with having hobbies or Keeping up with the Kardashians.  Kim, Kourtney and Khloe are interesting (please don't ask me how I know their names), and they along with their mom Kris Jenner were named some of Barbara Walters' most fascinating people this week (don't ask me how I know that either).  They are self assured women and they know how to make money and attract attention; however, I think we should also pay at least an equal amount of attention to topics that affect our daily lives.

A local example of devoting attention to what's important is the Education Forward Committee, a committee of three Manassas City Council members and three Manassas City School Board members.  The committee's purpose is simply to help the Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) system be the best it can be.  The Committee receives input from the two elected bodies, and seeks solutions to improve MCPS.  The Committee met last Saturday, December 10, to discuss ideas (such as decreasing class sizes) and the associated costs. Erin Gibson wrote a comprehensive article in the Patch earlier this week about the December 10, 2011 meeting, and Councilman Harrover wrote last month about Education Forward.  I encourage you to read those articles and to keep following the work of the Committee, City Council and the School Board, to improve MCPS.  And if you have ideas to improve our schools, please let us know.  Believe it or not, elected officials don't know it all (no laughing allowed), and we need as much input from citizens as possible to make the best decisions for our schools and our community.

In other MCPS news, the School Board met on Tuesday night.  Of note, the Board honored Deputy Superintendent Dr. Michaelene Meyer, who was named the 2011 Curriculum Leader of the Year in Virginia, and the OHS Connections magazine staff, who under the guidance of Ms. Kimberly Schell, received the Charles E. Savage Award for Sustained Excellence in Scholastic Journalism from the Virginia High School League (VHSL), for work between 2005-2011.  Congratulations to Dr. Meyer, Ms. Schell and all the students and staff who have worked on Connections.

Finally, on a different topic, I have been saddened, angered and frankly disgusted about the many child abuse allegations that have dominated the news the last few months.  The most prominent allegations, which involve alleged abhorrent behavior by coaches at Penn St. University & Syracuse University, is apparently not unique.  I cannot imagine why any adult would deem to harm a child, and I especially cannot understand why an adult would abuse a child.  I pray that all the children and families involved, and that anyone who has ever been exposed to such behavior, can find peace.  And, equally as important, I hope that every adult, especially those with children or who are around children, remain especially vigilant about watching children and reporting abuse.  I think our kids are our most precious resource and we must protect them.

Keep an eye out next week for a blog on "WINNING."  Enjoy your weekend.

Quotes for the week:

" You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper!" - Demi Lovato - "Skyscraper"

"As a society we are defined by how we treat our most vulnerable citizens." - Variant of often used quote - Original Author Unknown