Do the Ten Commandments Belong in Classrooms?

Good Day!

Halloween is right around the corner. This is a polarizing take but we’ll say it — candy corn makes Halloween 🎃🍬🌽 

For the parents out there, let kids be kids. And just be sure to have a couple melatonin on hand just in case…

Cheers☕

Thou Shalt Not Defy the State

We touched on this issue a couple of months ago: how Louisiana is mandating public schools to place the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The argument for this is that the Ten Commandments have historical significance and were a basis for the U.S. Founding Fathers' model for how the foundation of the U.S. government and legal system would look. According to Steven Green, a legal historian and law professor, "There is next to no evidence…that the Ten Commandments were considered by the country's founders while drafting the foundation of the U.S. government and legal system."

On Monday, October 21, a federal judge heard arguments on whether the law should be temporarily blocked. The law mandates that all public school classrooms display the Ten Commandments on their walls by January 1.

A lawsuit was filed in June by parents and children with various religious backgrounds, stating that this law violates their First Amendment rights as it directly violates the government establishing a religion that goes against guaranteeing religious liberty for individuals.

The requirements for the Ten Commandments include:

• The document must be at least 11 X 14 inches

• The text must be prominently displayed "printed in a large, easily readable font."

• Each poster must also be paired with the four-paragraph context statement.

The law does not mandate that schools spend public money on the Ten Commandments. Republicans expect that the posters will be donated mostly by organizations and groups. What happens if there is a shortfall is unclear, as is what the repercussions will be if a teacher refuses to hang the Ten Commandments in their classroom.

The decision on whether this law will go into effect on January 1, 2025, will be given by November 15.

Students in Asheville returning to school

Asheville, North Carolina, is about 300 miles from the closest beach and sits at an elevation of 2,000 feet. On September 26, Hurricane Helene, once clocking in as a category 5, made its way to Asheville as a tropical storm, causing devastating events many people could not have imagined. According to researchers, 76,000 kids were not in school during the past month, and the impact of their learning can set them back many months to several years.

Dr. Cassandra R. Davis stated, "It's completely devasting, especially since students rely on going to school for that sense of normalcy…We found that, especially for elementary students, that they regress." This is the age group that fares the worst.

Students in Asheville are set to start back up tomorrow, October 28, and teachers, and school administrators will not only have to deal with the academic disruption that was felt by students but also the emotional toll on students and parents that will continue to affect life outside of the classroom. In Asheville City Schools, 44%—1,767 students—are below the poverty line.

One of the biggest challenges Asheville and surrounding communities face is not being able to provide clean drinking water. For Asheville City Schools, administrators are shipping in drinking water for students' return this week.

Although schools are expected to open tomorrow, some families are waiting until the end of the semester before their kids return to school and others are thinking of relocating.

Kimberly Dechant, the Asheville schools spokesperson, said of parents' decisions to keep their children at home or to relocate, "[The superintendent] has said all along you have to do what's best for your family."

If you would like to help in any way, you can still donate to various organizations. Here is a link to the 11th Congressional District Representative Chuck Edwards, who provides a list of places still accepting donations.

The Final Minute

1. When it comes to school safety and resource officers, a recent incident in Akron, Ohio, has raised serious concerns about the use of force in educational settings. A school resource officer, who was a member of the Akron Police Department assigned to Firestone Community Learning Center, was caught on security video punching a 16-year-old student in the head at least three times after an altercation involving a metal detector, where the student allegedly bypassed and then triggered the detector's alarm. The student, who was initially charged with resisting arrest, obstructing official business, and criminal trespassing, had those charges dismissed while a use of force investigation is conducted, with Superintendent Michael Robinson calling the officer's actions "unacceptable" and requesting the officer's permanent removal from all school duties. The student's family has retained DiCello Levitt, the same law firm that represented Jayland Walker's family in their $4.8 million settlement with the city of Akron, with attorney Bobby DiCello emphasizing that "no child deserves to be punched in the face by an adult, especially when that adult happens to be an Akron police officer."

2. McKinley Middle and YS High schools in Ohio, recently rediscovered a beloved symbol of their community spirit when excavation crews unearthed their iconic school boulder, known affectionately as "Dwayne," which had been mysteriously buried as a senior prank in May 2023. The boulder, which was originally brought to campus in 2004 by then-senior Jake Fulton to boost school spirit, has served as a canvas for countless layers of paint celebrating school events, tributes, and occasionally inappropriate messages that required swift cover-ups by former principal John Gudgel. With the boulder's unexpected return during campus renovation work, staff, faculty, and students are celebrating the resurrection of this painted landmark that has long been a source of pride for the school community.

3. Jeff Verkaik, a fifth-grade teacher at Kenowa Hills, Michigan, has found a unique way to combine his passion for rare plants with his commitment to inspiring students. His classroom, home to over 20 plants including varieties of aloe, agave, and Haworthia, recently welcomed its newest member - a Queen Victoria agave nicknamed "Queen Vicky" - with a celebration that included student speeches, Diet Coke toasts, and games, demonstrating how sharing personal interests can create memorable learning experiences. Having transitioned from owning a small business to teaching at age 28, Verkaik now focuses on building relationships with his students and finding daily joy in his profession, emphasizing that "students are going to gain the most from knowing who you are, from building relationships and sharing your passions; that's when learning starts to happen."

4. Norfolk Public Schools in Virginia, recently collaborated with Midwest Bank for their third annual "Reality Check" event, where sophomore students participated in a real-life budgeting simulation. During the event, students selected career paths with corresponding incomes and worked with volunteers from local businesses like Midwest Bank Insurance Agency, American Family Insurance, and Faith Regional Health Services to make practical budgetary decisions. The program, which career academy coordinator Ben Ries described as "eye-opening and educational," received praise from Midwest Bank vice president Ashton Spieker, who emphasized the importance of teaching financial literacy at a young age to prepare students for real-world financial challenges.

Closing Bell

On this day in 2022…

Elon Musk, currently the world’s richest person, takes over Twitter and fires 4 high ranking executives effective immediately. Let that sink in…