<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0plvLP_0vDzqjhn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0plvLP_0vDzqjhn00" width="650" height="466" ><figcaption>Ken Grabowski (File photo) </figcaption></figure> It’s always interesting to view how society changes, adapts and adjusts to the times in which we currently live. Lately in the local, state and national media there has been countless stories about the <a href="https://www.manisteenews.com/news/article/manistee-county-schools-start-first-day-class-19723844.php" rel="nofollow"> arrival of another school year </a> . What is interesting is how some of the basic core values of education remain intact, but have <a href="https://www.manisteenews.com/news/article/manistee-county-schools-work-protect-students-19629038.php" rel="nofollow"> changed, adapted and adjusted </a> to fit into today’s world. Back in the 1960s when the old man pictured above this column was a child walking the hallways at the former <a href="https://www.manisteenews.com/columns/article/KEN-GRABOWSKI-Bricks-and-mortar-not-a-chance-14213642.php" rel="nofollow"> Washington Elementary School </a> on Manistee’s Northside society was much different than today. Ask any random 10 people on the street back then what they thought was the most important thing about schools and nine of them were likely to say, “to get a good education.” The response still holds true to this day, but most people would likely amend it to say, “to get a good education 'in a trusted place.” Back in the day of my youth there wasn’t a need to worry about being “in a trusted place” because the threats of violence children face today didn’t happen in those times. However, violence against students changed all of that and the <a href="https://www.manisteenews.com/news/article/maps-school-outlines-internet-safety-measures-19664266.php" rel="nofollow"> need to change, adapt and adjust </a> became a priority for school districts in all parts of the country. Hence, the focus of “getting a good education” needed to be adapted to “getting good education in a trusted place.” School districts in Manistee have implemented many security additions over the last decade to protect their students. Using a combination of local, state and grant funds they have done a great job in securing the area school buildings and grounds. However, it’s an ongoing challenge because each school year brings new types of threats and challenges. So the odds are good the need to change, adapt and adjust will most likely be facing school officials into the unforeseeable future. Being the education reporter for the News Advocate for many years gave me a very unique opportunity to see this change occur from ground zero to essentially what exists today. I can remember a time where in the middle of a school day it was possible for me, parents or members of the public to just walk into a school building&nbsp;— where the door was often propped open on a warm day&nbsp;— without being questioned. That certainly isn’t going to happen today by any stretch of the imagination. After numerous mass shootings, virtually every school district has some form of locked doors, security cameras, buzzed entry, bulletproof glass, key fobs to tell who is entering, security officers and more to protect children. The once “center of the community” buildings have become locked fortresses, simply to make sure the unthinkable doesn’t happen in their community. Millions of dollars of well-spent money have been used to make those buildings secure. It’s so sad we have come to this point, but it’s the violent world of today driving the need for those changes. Can you even begin to imagine the educational tools that could have been purchased with those funds if the security wasn’t needed? But then again, in today’s violent world maybe those security items being purchased are actually educational tools. On the more positive side of the way schools are changing, adapting and adjusting is the way they have brought technology into the classroom to meet the workplace needs of the future. Kids even have access to WiFi to utilize their laptops and iPads for studying when riding a bus to and from school or to extracurricular events in other communities. One thing that is certain is the learning process of 2024 is much different from the one existing back in the 1960s. It’s all a result of school officials changing, adapting and tweaking the learning process to meet today’s needs. Another example of things currently changing was reported on in a recent story on the popular television show <a href="https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/" rel="nofollow"> “Good Morning America.” </a> They discussed how the focus for every high school graduate to attend traditional college is beginning to change for several reasons. The report stated how there is a growing trend among young graduates to look at trade schools and trade apprenticeships instead of attending a four-year college. It showed how they are seeking careers as electricians, plumbers, construction workers and masons. Some of the reasoning was those trade careers allowed them to earn a very good living when they completed their training. But more importantly also allowed them to enter the workforce without incurring $40,000 to $50,000 in college debt that many students do in earning a diploma which takes years to pay off. The report said last year enrollment in trade-focused community colleges rose 16% and the number of students studying construction trades rose 23%. That was compared to a drop in the number of students achieving undergraduate degrees. It also made me think about advertisements I have heard recently about <a href="https://www.westshore.edu/" rel="nofollow"> West Shore Community College </a> teaming up with <a href="https://pinnacletdt.com/" rel="nofollow"> Pinnacle Truck Driving School </a> to offer classes on their campus for those seeking a career in driving a big rig. Changing, adjusting and adapting locally in education. I am not saying four-year degrees are not important, because they are. It all depends what a person has for a career goal. What I am saying is it's good to see community colleges and others are changing, adapting and adjusting to the needs of today. Meeting those educational needs of today and tomorrow by changing, adapting and adjusting shows educators are taking steps to keep pace with the needs of the time. Hopefully, they will continue to do it long after I see you again on Monday. Ken Grabowski is a retired journalist who spent more than 36 years in the newspaper business. </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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KEN GRABOWSKI: Manistee schools have adapted to ensure student safety

Columnist: Manistee schools have evolved to prioritize both education and student safety, adapting to modern challenges.