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Dear old Golden Rule days

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 29, 2009

Ah, school days are back in session! "School Days, School Days, Dear Old Golden Rule Days. Readin' and Writin' and 'Rithmetic, Taught to the Tune of a Hickory Stick." That song, penned in 1907 by Will Cobb and Gus Edwards, has simply not stood the test of time. Not only can a teacher no longer menace a youngster with a hickory stick, she cannot even toss an eraser to get a student's attention anymore.

In this age, if a teacher clunked a nuisance child with an eraser, she might be charged with assault or have a lawsuit filed against her for causing the youngster pain and suffering. Today a teacher can merely suggest, in a nonthreatening manner, that Billy not watch Internet porn on his iPhone in class and try not to further add to the dumbing of America.

As a product of the New York City school system, I had a much different education. In New York schools, there was always one bulldog-looking gym coach who had been made an assistant principal and guidance counselor only because he could take a punch from a misguided young scholar. He was the one always out in the hall itching for a fight, sure that every kid was a potential juvenile delinquent. Little did I realize that those colorful, hurtful nicknames he called us were merely meant to toughen us up for the real world.

We walked miles to school or to bus stops, but we did not have crossing guards protecting our passage. This is where we learned our lessons about being streetwise. All you had to do was stop once to listen to a bum asking for spare change or a group of malcontents shouting "hey kid, come over here," and you learned a valuable lesson about talking to strangers.

In Florida, youngsters have a false sense of security and think that everyone is watching out for them. In the Big Apple you knew you were on your own. Sure, if you erred in your travels, there might be some helpful pedestrian telling you: "Watch out and look where you're going, stupid. You blind? Can't you see there are cars coming?"

In New York there was no need to impose a $206 fine for motorists passing a stopped school bus, as Florida law dictates. Drivers did not dare pass a stopped school bus. No one wanted his vehicle hit by gum, spit and assorted other objects launched through a bus window.

It was, alas, a different world. Here's wishing youngsters good luck this semester. Remember to think street-smart.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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