How Can School Systems Save Lives?

In “The Sanctuary of School,” Lynda Barry reflects on her childhood to make a  persuasive argument for why the public school system budget should not continue cutting funds for teacher salaries, the arts, music and all creative activities. A good education system can save lives by giving children support, stability and a creative outlet. Barry shares that drawing meant everything to her because her teacher believed in the natural healing power of painting and drawing for troubled children. 

After reading “The Sanctuary of School,” I found myself thinking about a career in teaching. How I would love to make a difference even in one kid's life the way Mrs. Claire LeSane did for Barry. I thought about my own school experiences, and how I was lucky to have a few teachers and coaches who really cared. They would connect with their students and actually care for them. I remember this student who didn’t have the best home life. My English teacher, Mrs. Smith, would make sure to have snacks and or lunch for this student. She would even stay late after school for a “study hall” for students that needed help with their school work, but it was also for those who had to wait for their parents to come pick them up. Reading Barry’s story made me realize how undervalued teachers can be. Most teachers have to buy supplies with their own money due to not having enough funding from the school. Coming from a family with former teachers and librarians, it made me understand their stories a little better. 

Something that stood out to me while reading was when Barry said, “The high levels of frustration, depression and anger in my house made my brother and me invisible. We were children with the sound turned off. And for us, as for the steadily growing number of neglected children in this country, the only place where we could count on being noticed was at school.” This stood out to me mainly because I never really realized how many children might have to count on school. It made me realize children in the foster care system, bouncing from home to home, rely on the stability of school. Also, the children with single parents who have to work all the time rely on stability. Those are just a few of the cases that made me realize how important school can be for some. I never realized how school can save lives, due to the fact that I hated school growing up. School to me was a place that made me feel dumb. Growing up with learning disabilities, such as ADHD and dyslexia, was the last place I ever wanted to be. Mainly, because I never got the right help;  however, I did learn the library was my favorite place in school. It was always filled with books, I was able to check out three to four at a time and dive into and escape into a different reality. Like Barry, Mrs. Claire’s classroom was a secure, warm place and mine was the library. 

One point that really spoke to me was how Mrs. Claire “believed in the natural healing power of painting and drawing for troubled children.” The arts, music, and theatre are all creative outlets for someone to express themselves. Expressing yourself through these methods can be valuable, especially for the children who cannot always find the words to express their feelings. From the ages of five years old to eighteen years old,  sometimes it is hard to put your feelings into words. Finding an outlet like the arts is a very healthy way to reach an outcome. 

Barry’s story shows that we should put more money into the school budgets for teachers salaries, after-school programs, the arts, music, and other creative activities. The way Barry’s reflection gave a real example on how a good education system can give children support, stability and a creative outlet when they may not have those things at home. Even though I did not enjoy school growing up, I have come to realize that places like the library and teachers who truly cared still gave me a sense of comfort. Barry’s experience helped me understand that school can be much more than a place to learn. For some children, it can be the one place where they feel safe, seen, and cared for. That is why protecting school funding is important. A good, well-funded school system can really change a child’s life. 

Barry, Lynda. “The Sanctuary of School.” The New York Times, 4 Jan. 1992.

https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/05/education/end-paper-the-sanctuary-of-school.html