A small number of students in the district do change schools, as their families move from one place to another (apartment complexes)? Just recently Maria moved, twice in two years. I know that a lot of students move from Mexico and back--I don't know how many return to the United States after returning to Mexico, but you can see it on the cum folders their birthplace and other information.

I was thinking of the children again today, especially after I got into an argument with someone about my future. The children are innocent... most of the adults here in the United States are implicated in grave evils--even though we may be excused because we are not formally cooperating with those evils, only materially cooperating, nonetheless we do contribute to them. I have pity for children who are innocent. The adults... not so much, especially if they are greatly enamored with the illusions associated with the current political economy. It's also why I prefer certain parts of the Bay Area more than others, because the poor live there. Apple Country is full of those who seek material comfort and success, and I have an adversion to it. (And we know who has been moving into Apple Country for the sake of "good" schools...) Now perhaps the poor in San Jose also have the same desires and I don't think I would be so naive as to think that all of the poor are virtuous, but maybe this is my way of following the "preferential option for the poor."

Of course, it is easy to have and show affection to the children when they like you.

I was thinking of one of the students from many years ago, Fela... she didn't like her name, Felicitas, although I thought it was a good name, the name of an early saint. I remember her telling me that she didn't want to go to college, and I asked her why, but she just said that she didn't want to. This was 10 years ago... back then I did think that college was not necessary for everyone in order to make a living, and that some schools should be avoided because they were dangerous. But I couldn't really say all of this to her. She was only in 3rd grade, and she probably wouldn't have understood it. I think I did tell her that what was important was that she be good... a generic lesson and perhaps ineffective but one I try to make with children anyways.

Alicia, Adrianna, Khaluan, Anita and her sister Judy, Laura, Maribel, Marylene, Karen, a lot of Christinas... Marisol and her brother David, Lien, Ingrid, and so many other students whose names I have forgotten... are the students in this district more likely to stay in the area than their contemporaries in better-off families and cities? What of the 5th and 6th graders in Mrs. H's and Mr. P's classes who are now 22 and 23? (Cuss girl Athena and Jacqui, Stephanie, the boys who got in trouble often--how many of them already have children?)

Maybe teaching at a public school wouldn't be so bad, until immoral state requirements are implemented. Then I could find another line of work.

Being around children reminds me of the many sayings of Christ pertaining to children. It also calls to mind what he says about being like a mother hen:

Matthew 23:37 "Ierusalem, Ierusalem, quae occidis prophetas et lapidas eos, qui ad te missi sunt, quotiens volui congregare filios tuos, quemadmodum gallina congregat pullos suos sub alas, et noluistis!"

Luke 13: 34 "Ierusalem, Ierusalem, quae occidis prophetas et lapidas eos, qui missi sunt ad te, quotiens volui congregare filios tuos, quemadmodum avis nidum suum sub pinnis, et noluistis. "

Lord, have mercy on the children!