Confessions of a Caterpillar

Recently the Robotics team from the ironically named Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy was invited to participate in the VEX Middle School World Competition in Anaheim, CA. After much miscommunication and uproar from the community it was finally decided by the Norristown Area School Board that students could attend if they raised their own funds (under the Board’s guidelines of course). Students, faculty, alumni, and supporters alike were all please to hear the board re-track previous statements and back pedal their way back to the aid of the children.

Celebration and applause could be heard throughout the crowd as the news was announced tonight that the students would in fact be permitted to attend the competition in California.

However you could not deny the stench of unanswered questions in the room, and even worse, the aroma of poor excuses still lingering on the breath of the Board members. I was struck in particular by the comments of Board Director Denise Ashe, she stated:

“…this is the first year of our robotics program… we didn’t budget for this”

… In other words: We changed the school’s name but we never expected them to actually be LEADERS in SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY, at least not this soon. Perhaps, the board would have been better off saying “Sorry children, we started the program but we never actually planned for or made provision for your success.”

This may not have been the prettiest victory in history, but a victory none the less. But there is still work to be done, and your support is still needed! Our voice has been heard on behalf of these students, but now it’s time to let our checkbooks do the talking. In total the robotics team needs to raise approx $8000 for airfare, hotel, and food cost. Maybe the Board wasn’t prepared for our children’s success, but the real question is are we the community prepared to step up and fill the gap?

For More Information about donating money to the program, please call the NASD at 610-630-5000.