i asked S how her day was at school. she replied "corny".
i asked why and she answered, "because i go to school with criminals".
she's 16 and sees the direness of the school she attends. "my school was on the news yesterday because it's so bad." thankfully she doesn't allow herself to be influenced by it. and maybe doesn't feel the power to do anything against it. or more likely, doesn't want to do anything against it.

lately i've been thinking about social change on smaller scales. my mom sent me to a preschool where i was intended to be a 'good' influence on my classmates who had some behaviour issues. i had to interview with a psychologist, who would evaluate and see if i would be fit for the program. of course my 4 year-old self was unaware of this at the time, and for the next 20 years thereafter. i remember being in the room with the psychologist, but he was having me do more cognitive and creative tests (reading, math, drawing pictures). i remember some kids getting in trouble more than i did (jimmy and nathan). but i still did get in trouble at least once (for not listening to the teacher's instructions during kiddie pool day, resulting in the teacher telling me to change from my swimsuit back into my clothes, but she handed me the wrong clothes, and i went home wearing some other girl's shorts).
anyway, i wonder if the program worked. not that it seems measurable since there are so many variables here w/ child behaviour.

so, it really does take a village to raise a child. and for S and her schoolmates, it's going to take the whole village and an act of God to turn the school around.