A family lost a child on Tuesday.
Sadly, there are times parents have to bury their children. It is not right, it is never right, it will never make sense, and the hurt will never go away.
What happened to Tuesday’s child? He went to school.
Sometimes kids have a terminal illness and they die. Sometimes a child dies from addiction. Other times a child dies in a car accident. Sometimes there is the backyard pool. We get used to these stories and we know people who have experienced tragedies like these. And we turn the page because the next day is Wednesday and we have things to do.
What did Tuesday’s child do? He went to school.
It is a new school year. There is lots to learn. There are new friends to meet and new clubs to join.
Tuesday’s child’s parents received a shattering phone call, probably telling them to get to the hospital immediately. Tuesday’s child has parents who can now join a new club, the club of grieving parents. Because Tuesday’s child went to school.
Sometimes parents get to say good-bye to their children before they die. Hopefully Tuesday’s child got to wave good-bye to his family before he went to school.
What happened at this school? We may never know the details. But we knew it was coming. The groundwork for this death was laid long ago. We write about Phoenix Union (PXU) often.
https://notinourschools.net/?s=phoenix+union&submit=Search
Tuesday’s child attended Phoenix Union’s Maryvale High School. We could not understand why the media didn’t challenge the previous superintendent about the situations on PXU’s campuses. The same media who does cartwheels for public schools and teachers didn’t demand higher standards for their beloved institutions. Do any of them send their children to Phoenix Union high schools?
What about the union teachers who knew about fights over drug deals at North High School? What did the union do to assist those teachers and the children we are told they care so much about?
Speaking of that, almost four years ago I wrote an email to a few legislators. While the bulk of it was about then-Superintendent Chad Geston’s role in pushing an unproven medical cocktail into the arms of children, I mentioned the dangers on campuses while he was developing community schools. One state senator also sits on the Phoenix Union High School Governing Board. (She didn’t receive a letter from me.) Would any legislator consider sending their child to a district as dangerous, both physically and emotionally, as Phoenix Union? Could they use their microphone to bring attention to the problems metastasizing like cancer?
Because someday, someone might get hurt. Or worse. Like Tuesday’s child.
This is what I wrote on November 7, 2021 to a few legislators:
Hi ………,
I am writing to you and a few others regarding some serious concerns I have with Phoenix Union High School District. I know this is not your district, but the state funds lots of their budget. I have attached Superintendent Chad Gestson’s dialogue from the last few minutes of the board meeting on November 4, 2021. There are some screenshots for visual aids but also for reference if you would like to look at the times and listen for yourself.
November 4, 2021 Phoenix Union Governing Board Meeting – YouTube
I realize through government funds (and I honestly have not followed this money trail so correct me if I’m wrong on any details), there is plenty of Covid money flowing to the schools. Of course districts want to use it. However, I feel PUHSD is going way beyond the responsibility of a SCHOOL district.
Since when is it a school district’s job to become the local health clinic? PUHSD is also talking about a “Wellness Coordinator” at every site. Why are they now in the business of flu shots and vaccines to children who do not attend their schools?
These extras may be fine if the district was up to par. Teachers will tell those they trust that many students are not graduating ready for a career or college. In fact, the grading system is currently changing to a standards-based system. Teachers will have to allow multiple revisions until the student reaches a grade which aligns with the standards. The upcoming ACT results will be telling.
In September this news broke: Former Phoenix ‘teacher of the year’ arrested, accused of having sex with student | Arizona News | azfamily.com (Link is no longer available)
Except it may not be news to all. Where were his superiors during all this? Are there records that he had been reported or is the superintendent too busy playing doctor?
PUHSD is a magnet for illegals, so many that there have been times the classrooms are over fire code. There have been fights at various schools (not necessarily illegals), but the point is the grounds are not safe. A security guard at Trevor Browne just lost teeth a few weeks ago while doing his or her job. Betty Fairfax just sent an email on November 5, 2021 asking for teachers to cover lunch because there wasn’t enough security staff. There was also a fight at North High School in August, at the time teachers felt it was due to drug deals. Whatever the reason, the campuses at PUHSD are currently not safe.
The most disturbing comments in the attached transcription are on page 6 when Superintendent Gestson plans to deliberately come between parents and their students. He has no business second guessing the way a child is parented by their parents. The plan to intervene so as to get the student vaxed is likely against the family’s religion. Many in PUHSD are Catholic; aborted baby cells were used in all three shots in one way or another. Some minorities are aware they may be at higher risk of reaction to vaccines than Caucasions. That is up to them if they want to be extra cautious.
Ironically Lela Alston and Steve Gallardo who sit on the PUHSD board also hold elected offices which directly or indirectly fund this district. As a taxpayer, I believe this is a runaway train. Someone will get hurt, either due to the overcrowding, the fights, or the shots. Who will be held responsible? Think for a moment, would you enroll your child in this district?
Teachers are concerned, worried, and don’t feel safe. They are also desperately worried about the children they teach. Please help them, even if it’s to just take a tour. I will be happy to connect you.
Thanks for your time,
It doesn’t appear that anything changed at Phoenix Union. A new superintendent, a new school year, and now a new empty desk. Because a child went to school on Tuesday.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.