FREE rarely comes cheap! – SCN Encourager

Unfortunately, I have to keep re-learning this.

Even the most innocent looking offer often comes along with hidden entrapments.

Like further costs.

More responsibility.

Surprise messes.

And every parent knows what I mean.

Every time we dare to hope something will be simple. inexpensive, and not require any assembly, we usually find out otherwise.

I was reminded of this yesterday by Kym Reinstadler’s superb article entitled “29 ways to a better school.”

All 29 ways on the list are about as basic as you can get.

Kym described them as “common sense.”

And as I re-read them, I think they could be more accurately tagged as “foolers.”

They may look cheap and easy – but they’re far from it.

Take a look at #3 on the list.

Even though our students and parents long for it, who can smile everyday?

Correction.

Make that, who can smile with sincerity everyday?

You see… that’s what makes this list so dang tough; I’m almost ashamed by how little effort it would take for us to consistently carry them out in our schools.

But to fully embrace some – or all of them – would force us to assume:

more costs,

more responsibilty,

and yep, a few surprise messes.

Just like allowing your young daughters to each bring home a free kitten.

And oh, boy –

That didn’t go so well as I recall.

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