Gratuity

     The research shows that achievement in our schools surpasses public schools.  The research also shows that those who attend Catholic schools are more likely to accept a leadership role in the Church.  But sometimes, anecdotes provide the impetus for seeing where we can still make improvements, especially since parents continue to question the value of our schools, even when they're shown the facts and figures.

     Truth be told, logic doesn't compel.  Cognition isn't everything.  It's akin to learning all there is to learn about a subject - but if you can't put what you've learned into practice, it remains untapped potential.  This is where the affective domain comes into play.  It provided the basis for the beginning of "The ME Generation."  It didn't matter if it was wrong or right (which is a function of logic); the prevailing thought became, "If it feels good, do it."  Remember the songs from that era? - Love the One You're With; Don't Think Twice, It's Alright; and If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don't Want To Be Right.  All those messages have the same basis - "How can something that feels great be wrong?"

     You know, if evil was repulsive, no one would want to be associated with it.  Evil looks good so that people are attracted to it.  If you think about it in terms of our Faith, the grotesque scene of crucifixion is the crux of our belief!  Indeed, our salvation comes from an evil act of betrayal.  Yet, people, especially today, want to "feel good" about the decisions they make.  So, let's not only make our schools "The Logical Choice," but we have to make parents feel good about the choices they make.

     Here's one of those "feel good" stories:

In the days when ice cream sundaes cost much less than they do today, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table.  A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.  "How much is the ice cream sundae?" he asked.  "Fifty cents," replied the waitress.  The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins he had.  "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.  By now, more people were waiting at tables and the waitress was growing impatient.  "Thirty-five cents," was the waitress' brusque response.  The little boy counted his coins again, and said, "I'll have the plain ice cream."  The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table, and walked away.  The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.  When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table.  There, placed neatly beside the empty dish were two nickels and five pennies.  Although he had enough to pay for the sundae, he had to have enough to leave a tip.

     Remember that another song from that era was "Teach Your Children Well."  This would be a good trait to nurture in them - a gratuitous heart would certainly make their parents feel good.

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