Jenn is doing a poet-in-residence program at Heights Terrace Elementary in the Hazleton Area school district where I when to school. Tomorrow she has two long sessions with 4th graders and I was going to go in and help her do renga, Japanese chained poetry, with them.
Only I don't have an Act 34 clearance so I'm not allowed. Act 34's basically a certificate from the police saying you don't have a criminal record. I had one a long time ago when I was doing my student teaching and when I was certififed to teach here in PA, but it's long expired.
I can understand Act 34 clearances for classroom teachers who have regular contact with the kids, but for guests? I suppose the public schools don't let uncleared parents come in to volunteer. And they must not invite businessmen to speak or have famous people give presentations. That's madness.
Yet another reason to dislike the US. My list is growing...
I realize when someone dislikes the US, everything one sees is viewed thru. those glasses. However, using PA's Act 34 (which is limited to that state) as an excuse to dislike the entire US seems a bit much. Additionally, as an expat who lived in Japan for some time, I feel that for useless bureacuratic rules and regulations, Japan has the US beat by many miles.
I find many reasons to both say good things and bad things about almost any country, including the US. Nice that as Americans we have the freedom to do so, although probably big brother is listening. Anyway, one of the reasons for 34 probably is due to the love of lawsuits in the U.S. A stranger in the classroom, no matter the educational benefit, poses a legal liability that could cripple the school budget.
Glad I was a kid in the 70's. John Glenn came to speak to our elementary school. :)