By Mike Moore
Journal Times | Posted: Monday, November 3, 2008 12:00 am
Who needs a teacher? That kid in the Bad Company song "Shooting Star" just got a guitar and "went straight up to No. 1."
Wait, I forgot what happens to the kid at the end. Never mind.
Small group instruction has been held once a week for years, said Ed Bergles, music coordinator for the school district. A handful of fourth- and fifth-graders who play similar instruments are grouped for a half-hour.
What's been squeezed out are the larger sessions that bring together the whole band. While a few schools still offer those, Bergles said most were a victim of the "block scheduling" implemented under former Superintendent Thomas Hicks. To emphasize reading and math, each school devotes a big block of time to those subjects.
On average, Bergles estimated elementary music teachers bounce between four different schools. Yet he hasn't seen much of a drop-off in interest at that age. That shows up more in middle school, he said. Changes in scheduling allow less time for electives like music and many families can't afford to maintain those instruments.
In most cases, librarians split their time between two schools, area superintendent Dona Sens said. That was one of the concessions made in the Unified budget a couple of years back.
At least three elementary schools still have full-time librarians, Sens said, either because of their size or because they received special grants to pay for them. While kids might be able to check out books at other times, the librarians teach kids important research skills. Like how to look up Bad Company lyrics.
Why are car dealers in Wisconsin closed on Sundays? So many other things are open, it seems like something the industry would lobby to get changed.
Thou shalt not test-drive a sports car on the Sabbath.
OK, it's not the 11th commandment, but it is one of the "blue laws" largely rooted in religious traditions. Dairyland is one of at least 15 states that still block Sunday sales, although according to the wording a dealer could technically close Saturday instead if he's Jewish and believes that's the Sabbath.
Lenders are closed on Sunday anyway, said Chris Snyder, general counsel for the Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association. The trade group isn't pushing for a change because both employees and car buyers appreciate the break, Snyder said.
"Customers like to go through the lot when no one is there," he said, "and not have anyone come out and talk to them."
Loose ends
- After reading in a previous column that it's technically illegal to write political messages - or anything else - in chalk on a rear windshield, a reader called in for clarification. He wondered if college stickers or displays of homecoming spirit will elicit citations.
Remember, a lot of things are technically illegal. Police do come armed with common sense.
"Usually it's all about placement," said Sgt. Bernie Kupper, public information officer for the Racine Police Department.
If the writing is down toward the base of the windshield, chances are officers will ignore it. That Marquette University sticker probably has a transparent background, anyway. The problem arises when you write or stick on something that blocks visibility.
- Thanks for the help on the bratwurst patty question. Who carries them? Pretty much everyone, apparently. Casing closed.
Mike Moore compiles the Glad You Asked column, which seeks answers to questions of local interest. Call us at (262) 631-1758 or e-mail: ask@journaltimes.com