Breaking the Sounds of Silence

Rob Bernshaw

Rob Bernshaw, Columnist

Is there a Sound of Silence shouting loudly to be heard in our feel-good society?

It seems that when elected public officials want something to die down and be swept under the carpet then the sounds of silence ensue.

As Autumn approaches and the Sept 2012 long weekend approaches, school will be upon us and the sounds of silence that have been deafening over the summer will again be broken. This column is a follow up to one written June 13, 2012 called  ‘Passing the Incomplete Buck’ (click here).

Over the summer months the schools and schoolyards across Alberta have been mostly silent. The halls stand as silent sentinels awaiting the sounds of silence to end, when they will be filled with the voices and laughter of students eager to start their number one job. That of gaining the knowledge and power to find meaningful employment in the outside world of consequences and accountability.

Ross Shep silent in the summer sun
R. Bernshaw photo

Schools like Ross Sheppard High School, where a ‘Crime Scene of Incompletes’ was exposed and brought to light by physics teacher Lynden Dorval earlier in 2012. A courageous teacher standing up and speaking out against a flawed educational policy, based on pampering and coddling the student through the educational system.

Under the possibility of losing his position as physics teacher at  Ross Sheppard  High School in Edmonton Alberta, this courageous individual brought to light for the world to see, how flawed educational policies are graduating less than acceptable students into a world that has consequences and accountability for incomplete assignments and tasks.

Update: It seems the silence has been broken and Lynden Dorval has received a letter shutting him out of the Edmonton School System this fall.

Locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, a veritable common sense firestorm and backlash was unleashed towards the principal, school superintendent and school board trustees. Why would a suspension and possible termination take place against a dedicated teacher that for 35 years had the integrity to do the right thing for students in a society that is  quickly becoming one of entitlement and pampering?

In our current entitlement society does the Superintendent of Schools in Edmonton truly feel that school is not a job and students are mandated to be there? That there is no choice to the student and they have to be there every day whether they like it or not? It is interesting to note with a current ‘No Zero’ policy in effect, what would happen to the student(s) if they chose not to show up? Would a mark of ‘Incomplete’ be given to that student or students? That way they  wouldn’t feel discouraged for not showing up?  Would the incomplete society prevail and would they graduate anyways because they did not complete the mandated assignment of attending school?  With the attitude that school is a mandated assignment for student attendance then shouldn’t the same ‘No Zero’ policy take effect and the students should still be able to graduate with an ‘Incomplete’ mark?

Isn’t giving an ‘Incomplete’ mark saying, to the majority of students under the ‘No Zero’ umbrella, why worry about completing assignments when an ‘Incomplete’ will do and all students will graduate, whether attending or not? This flawed policy is to help students' ‘Self Esteem’ the pundits say. Is this nonsense and ludicrous to suppose that their ‘Self Esteem’ won’t be affected even worse once they are in the real world of completed assignments and increased accountability?

This writer is sure glad that giving zeros was part of the school curriculum and this flawed way of thinking was not in effect while attending school in southern Alberta.

Consequences and accountability are good for the body and soul, as people are willing to face a brighter future knowing that they have the knowledge, confidence and power to make a difference in themselves and with others.

There are many people supporting common sense and accountability in this feel good world we currently live in. For people on Facebook there is a movement to support Lynden Dorval in his heroic effort to provide quality instruction and instill  accountability in the future leaders and future educators of our pampered feel good society.

This writer would like to give kudos for the endeavors of all individuals that support accountability and consequences amidst the feel good policies of the day.

The T-shirt reading "Got zero? Real Heroes Give Zeros" is a fashion statement that a lot of students will be wearing to school on September 4, 2012 across Alberta.

This writer is also wearing this T-Shirt in support of a good cause to get accountability back into our current flawed school system policy of ‘No Zero’s’.

Please find comments provided this writer from Cindy Sanche, an avid supporter of doing the right thing and in support of  Lynden Dorval and common sense in a education world seemingly gone mad with feel good politically correct policies:

“I think what I would say to the school board is that we are setting up our children for failure, in life and in the workplace after the school years are done. There's no lesson learned for failure by not giving zeros ----it's basically serving life on a silver platter.  That isn't reality.  You'll find that the majority of people with opinions on this story, side with Lynden Dorval.  I too believe he is doing the right thing - what is that saying 'Stand up for something or you'll fall for anything' ?
This mindset as well as my love for philanthropy and teaching good lessons to my children, brought me to design the GOT ZERO t-shirts. All profits will go to the E4C lunch program and with any luck, we will show some major awareness surrounding this newsworthy topic.  We have had orders as far as Australia so there has  been tremendous support.  If anyone would like one, they can be found at www.chocowrap.com”

There is also a Facebook page set up for people that use the social media to keep in touch at this link.


Here is an excerpt taken from Give Zeros-Support Teacher Lynden Dorval Facebook page:

“September 10th is hearing day! We are going to have to try to make an appearance and make ourselves known ---if we can, we will selling our shirts to show support. Be part of that mission!”

Lynden Dorval has broken the sounds of silence and dared to speak up for the good and well being of others. We need to stand up as well in our own way and time in order to make sure that the sounds of silence are continually shattered and voices are heard above the silence being imposed by feel good policies and flawed mandates.

This is one policy that needs to be struck down in order for our world and society to turn around and see the light of common sense at the end of the tunnel of  feel-good darkness.

How many of us live under the sound of silence in our every day lives?
How many of us have the courage to stand up and be counted as Lynden Dorval has?
Where as a society are we headed as long as we let the sound of silence prevail over common sense and decency?